Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
In the Universe World
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen walked along the riverbank. They followed the river down. In the distance, the Divine Sky-connecting Tree’s silhouette towered on the horizon. The scene was divine yet beautiful.
“That’s my story with Chi Yao. At that time, she was only around 15 years old and was the most naïve and romantic. Who would’ve thought that she could be so heartless?”
Zhang Ruochen revealed to Huang Yanchen everything about his past with Chi Yao.
Huang Yanchen was clear that since Zhang Ruochen was willing to say these things, it meant she was the closest person to him. He’d opened the last line of defense in his heart, baring himself to her completely.
You could only do this if you truly loved someone, trusted someone, and completely treated her as the partner of your life.
“So, the person you loved was always Chi Yao,” Huang Yanchen said. “But she killed you, so now, you hate her the most as well? Or you also doubt why she suddenly killed you when you two were clearly in love?”
Zhang Ruochen nodded. “I shouldn’t have told you this.”
Huang Yanchen shook her head. “You should’ve told me sooner. Otherwise, how would I have known you have such deep pain buried inside you? Humans aren’t pieces of wood. Everyone has the most fragile part in their heart. I know that I can’t compare to Empress Chi Yao, but I’m willing to try my best to support that fragile part of yours. Even if you only see me as Chi Yao’s shadow.”
Zhang Ruochen stopped walking. He held Huang Yanchen’s hand and gazed at the clouds and smoke above the water. “Before, I indeed saw bits of Chi Yao on you. But we’ve gone through so much and become true husband and wife. Now, you are Huang Yanchen to me. You are my wife. You aren’t anyone’s shadow and no one can replace you.”
A sweet smile appeared in Huang Yanchen’s eyes. “In that case, don’t think about these unhappy things anymore. Practice swordsmanship with me.”
Whoosh!
Drops of silver flew out of her forehead, condensing into the Chaotic Universe Sword.
Then, like a beautiful butterfly, she flew to the center of the river. Standing on the water, she waved her sword and instantly produced nine identical figures.
“Nine Swords of Yin.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. He took out the Abyss Ancient Sword and also flew to the river. He split himself into nine and displayed the Nine Swords of Yang.
Eighteen figures in total stood in different directions, forming a circle. Their sword intents interwove, like a yin yang becoming one.
The sword formation that they were practicing was the strongest two-person formation in Kunlun’s Field: Yin Yang Sword Formation.
There were quite a lot of people who cultivated the Yin Yang Sword Formation, but very few could fully express its power.
This was because the closer the two people performing the formation were and the higher their attainments in the Sword Way, the stronger the formation. They could even manipulate the rules of the world to become their own power and utilize combat abilities that far surpassed their own cultivations.
Only by having extreme feelings could one have extreme sword skills.
“All the Spiritual Qi within thousands of miles has been pulled over to the sword formation. Their Yin Yang Sword Formation can actually unleash such strong might.”
Ling Feiyu stood below the Divine Sky-connecting Tree and looked into the distance. She gazed with some envy at Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen who were practicing.
After a while, Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen finally stopped.
Zhang Ruochen discovered Ling Feiyu standing under the Divine Sky-connecting Tree. His heart moved. He hurried over with Huang Yanchen.
Ling Feiyu had long looked away. With her hands behind her back, she stared at the hovering Sun-Moon Crystal Coffin. “I’m surprised to see an ancient saint weapon from my sect in the Universe World.”
Zhang Ruochen walked over. “I was going to ask you, who is buried in that coffin?”
Ling Feiyu shook her head lightly. “It was too long ago. Who knows? You might only be able to find clues by looking at related books of the middle ages. But I’m sure the woman inside has a shocking identity. She might be a sect leader from history, or even…”
Here, Ling Feiyu paused.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression flickered. “Or what?” he asked.
“The Moon Goddess.”
When Ling Feiyu said these words, her eyes were filled with respect and reverence. She continued, “The Moon-Worship Demonic Sect is called that because we worship the Moon Goddess. The Moon Goddess is immortal and beautiful. The Moon-Worship Demonic Sect wasn’t established by the Moon Goddess, but according to records, the sect founder became a god with teachings by the Moon Goddess.”
Zhang Ruochen couldn’t keep calm. He thought back to the Sun-Moon Crystal Coffin’s frightening power. The woman inside couldn’t be the legendary Moon Goddess, right?
Ling Feiyu chuckled. “You don’t actually think she’s the Moon Goddess, right? To be honest, there’s barely any possibility.”
“Why?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
“The Moon Goddess doesn’t belong to our world,” Ling Feiyu said. “She’s not a god of Kunlun’s Field. She lives on the moon.
“According to legends, the moon that we see on Kunlun’s Field is a world as large as ours. It’s called the Guanghan Field. However, it’s extremely far from Kunlun’s Field. It’s deep within the universe. A Saint can use his entire life without reaching it. That’s why it looks so small.
“So, the Moon Goddess is from Guanghan Field. She once traveled the universe and came to Kunlun’s Field, but left long ago.”
The things that Ling Feiyu was talking about were secret myths of the Moon-Worship Demonic Sect. The outside world didn’t know about it.
Of course, since they were myths, they couldn’t be verified. The Moon Goddess and Guanghan Field could be things that the ancient people had made up.
“Since she’s absorbing the Life Qi of the Divine Sky-connecting Tree,” Ling Feiyu said, “it means that she hasn’t truly died. She may awaken one day. By then, you’ll know her identity.”
“I hope that day really comes,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Ling Feiyu stared at Huang Yanchen, who was standing with Zhang Ruochen, and fell silent. After a pause, she said, “Send me out. I should leave!”
“The imperial court has already locked down the entire city,” Zhang Ruochen said. “They activated the Truth Mirror and are looking for us everywhere. Stay here for a while. You can leave after things die down.”
“The Central Emperor City is the city with the most humans,” Ling Feiyu said. “There are millions of cultivators going in and out every day. How long can the imperial court lock it for? They’ll remove the lock tomorrow morning.”
Zhang Ruochen knew why Ling Feiyu wanted to leave so quickly, so he didn’t try persuading her anymore.
The things that they’d experienced in the Seven Lives Seven Deaths Map were only destiny.
However, there were too many people who had destiny but no fate. They weren’t the only ones. They may have had feelings but had to stop due to morals. This was the best ending.
Zhang Ruochen clutched Huang Yanchen’s hand even tighter. He’d already decided not to meld the memories of the seventh life. He would leave it sealed in his mind forever and never touch it.
The next day, the Central Emperor City’s lock was indeed removed. Zhang Ruochen took Ling Feiyu out of the Universe World and watched her leave.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Huang Yanchen. “Let’s leave the Central Emperor City as well!”
“Today is New Year’s Eve,” Huang Yanchen said. “How about we leave after New Year?”
New Year’s Eve was a day of reunions and the end of the year.
Zhang Ruochen thought of his mother. It might not be suitable to venture out on this special day. He should accompany his family and eat the New Year’s Eve dinner.
“That’s a good suggestion,” he said. “Today, let’s have Qing Mo cook us a feast. We’ll invite Mother and your parents. The family should celebrate New Year’s once.”
Zhang Ruochen’s true body couldn’t enter the Universe World, so he could only bring them to the Yao Pool.
Concubine Lin, Qianshui Commandery Prince, Half-Saint Liuli, Thirteenth Princess, Kong Xuan, Qing Mo, Guoguo, the Demon Ape, Princess White Li, and Shi Ren were all brought out by Zhang Ruochen.
To him, they were all his family. It was an extremely happy thing to get together and celebrate the New Year together.
Qing Mo started getting busy with preparing food. Guoguo and the Demon Ape cleared the weeds in the Yao Pool. The others worked on decorating this abandoned manor.
When night fell, the Yao Pool wasn’t dilapidated anymore. It was surrounded by lights and filled with festivity.
Of course, there were also two emperor formations. The outside world couldn’t see the amazing changes inside.
Qing Mo’s New Year’s Dinner naturally wouldn’t disappoint. It was so delicious that they even wished they could swallow their tongues. Guoguo and the Demon Ape ate the most. They ate as if people would steal their food, and even broke a few plates.
They ruined the festivity and gave everyone headaches. In the end, Princess White Li punished them. Finally, the two beasts sat obediently in their seats and didn’t fight for the food anymore.
After dinner, Zhang Ruochen brought everyone back into the Universe World. Only he and Huang Yanchen remained in the manor.
The two sat at the top of a pavilion and gazed at the lights of Central Emperor City. They leaned against each other, feeling each other’s warmth. It was as if time had stopped.
Zhang Ruochen embraced Huang Yanchen’s slender frame. “I haven’t felt so happy in a long time,” he said gently. “Why do I work so hard to cultivate? It’s not to become some god or anything. Actually, being able to be with my family and lover is enough.”
“That is harder than becoming a god,” Huang Yanchen said. “The Immortal Vampires, netherworld, and Death Race can make chaos erupt in Kunlun’s Field at any time, killing us all.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “As long as I’m here, I’ll never let you get a scratch. I’ll work even harder on cultivating and make myself stronger. You just have to be my wife without worries.”
Hearing this, Huang Yanchen’s red lips curved slightly. She smiled with extreme joy and initiated a kiss.
A moment later, Zhang Ruochen carried Huang Yanchen and flew down from the rooftop. They entered a room in the manor. He laid Huang Yanchen down on the bed and they entangled.
Outside, it started snowing again.
But inside, it was like spring. A man and woman’s heavy breathing wove into a moving melody.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Inside the imperial city, a bright bell resounded.
The new year was here!
Zhang Ruochen gradually woke up. His head hurt badly. He used a lot of energy to get out of bed. His mind was muddled.
He was the only one in the room. Huang Yanchen had disappeared long ago.
“What happened?”
Zhang Ruochen massaged his temple and thought back hard. “Last night was New Year’s Eve. Everyone ate dinner together. Then Yanchen and I…”
Suddenly, he remembered everything. Eyes widening, he hurriedly looked at the bed. There were drops of blood on the snow-white bedsheets.
It was the blood of a woman losing her virginity.
“How is this possible?”
Zhang Ruochen clenched his teeth. Gripping his fists, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he yelled, “Who are you?”
Boom!
His sound waves cracked the entire room, turning it into dust.
The entire manor was silent. No one replied.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen had become husband and wife long ago. How could she bleed again?
This could only mean that this Huang Yanchen wasn’t that Huang Yanchen.
However, Zhang Ruochen was sure that she was definitely Huang Yanchen.
A person’s body could change, but not their saint soul. Zhang Ruochen had clearly felt the aura of Huang Yanchen’s saint soul on her. How could she not be Huang Yanchen?
What was going on?
Zhang Ruochen hated deceit and betrayal the most. His eyes turned bloodshot. Hatred and anger arose in his heart.
“She left the Yao Pool. There are two emperor formations in there. How could she leave?”
Zhang Ruochen searched everywhere, but couldn’t find any trace of the fake Huang Yanchen.
Zhang Ruochen thought of Qing Mo. She had appeared with the fake Huang Yanchen and must know her true identity. However, Zhang Ruochen sent his Spiritual Power into the Universe World and discovered that Qing Mo wasn’t there.
Qianshui Commandery Prince, Half-Saint Liuli, and Thirteenth Princess had all vanished.
Clearly, something had happened when Zhang Ruochen was unconscious. Someone took them from the Universe World.
“Was it all a hallucination, a dream?”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze grew dull. He stood in the manor as if he’d lost his soul. It was like he was the only one left in this world.
The sky didn’t lighten.
Snow continued floating and falling onto his hair, eyebrows, shoulders, and feet. It was about to swallow him up.
A seven-colored cloud appeared above his head. Brilliant divine light shone down. As the cloud expanded, it loomed over the entire Central Emperor City, First Central Empire, and the entire Kunlun’s Field.
True divine light was shining on the land, enveloping the earth.
Boom!
A new statue rose up from the ground on all the altars around Kunlun’s Field. It shone with seven-colored light.
In the heart of the Central Emperor City, a divine statue rose up too. It was huge—more than 3,000 feet tall. Like a celestial spire, it shot into the clouds and radiated with a domineering aura.
That moment, all the beings in Kunlun’s Field were shocked. Among them, the Saints all uttered in unison, “A new god has been born, reflecting on the earth. The statue has been created and all will bow to it.”
Only ancient scrolls had records of such a shocking phenomenon. It only happened when a god was born.
The middle ages were already 100,000 years ago. Was there finally a new god in Kunlun’s Field?
Everyone in the world, including Saints, knelt onto the ground and kowtowed reverently.
“That is… The Empress! She has finally taken the last step.”
In Lianzhu Mansion, Lord Taizai stared at the looming giant statue in the imperial city. He shook with excitement and knelt on the ground, bowing toward the statue.
Even an emperor would bow to this statue, let alone him.
“The Empress has become a god! The Empress has returned!”
The Spiritual Qi of the Central Emperor City grew heavier. It quickly became more than before. Gradually, the Spiritual Qi transformed into Saintly Qi. Shreds of seven-colored divine Qi poured out of the city center too.
Any cultivator who was shone upon by the divine light improved quickly in their cultivation. Many cultivators even had breakthroughs. Ecstatic, they rushed out of Ziwei Palace and knelt on the ground.
As a god was born, the Spiritual Qi throughout Kunlun’s Field thickened. Spiritual and saintly medicine grew out of many barren places.
All the cultivators knew that a new era had arrived!
In the Yao Pool, Zhang Ruochen was naturally shone upon by the divine light too. The Xuanhuang Qi within him turned quickly. It escalated. He was about to break into the Xuanhuang Realm.
However, he couldn’t feel any joy. His entire body shook. The coldness in his eyes grew stronger. “I see, I see… Chi Yao, it was you. I should’ve known it was you.”
The fake Huang Yanchen was definitely Chi Yao. Perhaps Chi Yao had approached him to make up for the flaw in her heart and get past the last obstacle in becoming a god—the relationship trial.
And Zhang Ruochen was a stepping stone on her path to becoming a god. He was a tool to make up for her flaws.
Boom!
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes turned red. A burst of Holy Qi gushed out of him. He rushed out of the Yao Pool with his long hair down and walked toward the Ziwei Palace at the city center.
The streets were filled with kneeling figures. Only Zhang Ruochen was walking. He stood out.
“Who is that? Instead of bowing to the god, he’s even holding a sword. This is great disrespect to the Empress.”
“How dare you!?” a Half-Saint yelled. “Hurry and kneel to bow to the god!”
Poof!
Zhang Ruochen’s sword cut forward and sent the man’s head flying. He continued walking.
“Stop him. He’s a demon.”
“How dare he kill on the day the Empress becomes a god?”
…
More people attacked Zhang Ruochen, but they were all killed by him. No one survived.
By the time he reached Ziwei Palace, his entire body was dyed red. Behind him, there was an 800-mile bloody trail. Countless cultivators had been killed. He’d even killed four Saints.
Everyone grew fearful. They didn’t dare stop him anymore.
“Is he a bloodthirsty monster?”
“He’s crazy! The Empress has become a god. This means that Kunlun’s Field will welcome a new era. And he still dared to kill so many people. He’s looking for death.”
“Look. How come he looks like Zhang Ruochen, the Time and Space Descendant?”
“I’ve seen Zhang Ruochen’s picture before. They do look similar. Could it really be him?”
…
The human cultivators knelt on the ground, not daring to speak loudly. They were all communicating with sound waves.
Zhang Ruochen’s appearance shocked everyone.
Holding his bloody Abyss Ancient Sword, Zhang Ruochen stood under the towering city walls and yelled, “Chi Yao, get out here!”
His sound waves echoed through the imperial city.
Countless important figures in Ziwei Palace were furious. They thought Zhang Ruochen was too disrespectful and wanted to kill him. However, they suddenly realized that something was wrong.
The Empress had to have known about Zhang Ruochen killing in the imperial city, but she didn’t stop him. Why was this?
The important figures of the imperial court were all very wise. They calmed down, realizing that things weren’t as simple as they seemed.
Just then, the palace doors opened.
A beautiful figure in red appeared. She walked to the center of the palace entrance and stepped out, standing before Zhang Ruochen.
It was Huang Yanchen.
Seeing her, Zhang Ruochen’s eyes reddened even more. Murderous intent flooded out. He stabbed her forehead as fast as possible.
Die, die, die.
Huang Yanchen held the Chaotic Universe Sword and blocked him.
Thud!
She slid dozens of feet back, leaving a long trail in the snow.
Zhang Ruochen’s murderous Qi thinned a bit. Doubt appeared in his eyes. “You’re not her. You’re Yanchen?”
“Yes,” Huang Yanchen uttered with an indifferent expression. Then she continued, “Master wants me to tell you that she doesn’t want to kill you today. You can leave. If you don’t cause trouble, she can spare your life.”
“Spare my life… Does she think that I’m nothing after she becomes a god? That I can’t threaten her no matter how I cultivate?”
Zhang Ruochen stared into Huang Yanchen’s eyes, feeling hatred. It wasn’t only toward Chi Yao, but also Huang Yanchen’s attitude. She called Chi Yao “Master.” This meant she was already on Chi Yao’s side.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes. His heart wrenched. Finally, he asked, “Will you go with me?”
Huang Yanchen shook her head.
“Why?” Zhang Ruochen asked. “Is Chi Yao threatening you with your parents? Don’t fear her. I can die with you.”
“Master is already a god. How can she threaten a mortal? I…I’m staying with her voluntarily.” Huang Yanchen didn’t dare to meet Zhang Ruochen’s eyes, but she still said those words. Her expression was still indifferent.
Tears flowed out of Zhang Ruochen’s eyes as he asked his last question. “The one who cultivated with me in the Blue Dragon Void World, experienced those dangers in the Yin Yang Sea, and life-and-death experiences in Xianji Mountain… Was it you or Chi Yao?”
“It was me, and also her.” After a pause, Huang Yanchen said, “I lent my saint soul to her. Do you understand now?”
Zhang Ruochen felt like he’d lost all his strength and even life. But he still couldn’t accept this. “She forced you to do this?” he cried out.
Huang Yanchen’s eyes were a bit glazed. Finally, she shook her head.
“You actually lied to me with her. Why? Why is this? You should know that she’s my biggest enemy…”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart broke and blood rose up in his throat. He spat it out, dyeing the snow red.
If Chi Yao didn’t have Huang Yanchen’s saint soul, how could Zhang Ruochen not see through her disguise? Zhang Ruochen had always been suppressing his emotions, not daring to love anyone else.
Huang Yanchen had chipped away at his heart. Zhang Ruochen thought that he’d found true love. He could give up everything for her. And yet, he was lied to once again and betrayed once again. He was turned into a tool for Chi Yao to become a god.
Huang Yanchen’s saint soul was inside Chi Yao. This meant that she’d gone through the countless deathly experiences with Zhang Ruochen. She must know Zhang Ruochen’s feelings for her too.
But in the end, she still chose Chi Yao.
Zhang Ruochen was willing to die with her, but she…was unwilling.
Fake. Nothing was real.
