Outside a city in Qianshui Commandery, there was a huge ancient mountain called Mount Cyromist. Like Yunwu Commandery’s Royal Mountain, it had been a burial site for the royal family of Qianshui Commandery.
However, unlike Royal Mountain, Mount Cyromist was very plain and had nothing unusual. Ever since the royal family of Qianshui Commandery was massacred, the place had become desolate. It was rare to have visitors.
Suddenly, slight ripples emerged in the quiet space of Mount Cyromist. The next moment, Zhang Ruochen appeared out of thin air.
Zhang Ruochen had learned from Lei Jing about things that Huang Yanchen had said before she disappeared. Initially, he had wanted to go to Death’s Door on Ever-white Planet to investigate the matter immediately, thinking that he would not be refused entry again with his current cultivation base.
However, in the end, he chose to visit Mount Cyromist first to pay tribute to those who had died because of him.
In the past, Lei Jing had been helping him with this matter. Now that he was in Eastern Region, he should not let others do so in his stead.
In front of Zhang Ruochen, there were a large number of new graves. There were hundreds of them. They had only been there for a few years.
Standing in front of these graves, Zhang Ruochen could not help but felt strong emotion. To be precise, it was guilt. In the past, the Immortal Vampires had really gone all out to harm him.
He hated that he was too weak to protect these innocent people.
Splash!
Zhang Ruochen flipped his hand and took out a jar of wine. He tore off the wine seal and poured it in front of the graves.
After stopping for a long time, Zhang Ruochen suddenly said, “Come out. I know you’re nearby. It’s meaningless to hide in front of me.”
Tap, tap-
Light footsteps sounded, stepping on the fallen leaves.
A graceful figure slowly emerged from afar. Her tight black dress accentuated her exquisite and perfect figure. Her legs were slender, and she exuded an indescribable demeanor. She looked elegant, and her beauty was otherworldly. People would want to worship her like a goddess.
The beauty who appeared was none other than Pan Ruo, one of the three Scioness candidates for Fane of Destiny in Infernal Court.
If a cultivator of Infernal Court saw her here, they would be greatly surprised and think why the high and noble Pan Ruo was here and feel that she was audacious to dare to face the famous Zhang Ruochen alone.
Zhang Ruochen turned around and looked at Pan Ruo.
Even though he was mentally prepared, his emotions were plunged into turmoil when he saw Pan Ruo.
The main reason why Zhang Ruochen came to Mount Cyromist to pay his respects was that he thought there could be a chance to run into her. He wanted to meet her because he had too many questions that needed answers.
Zhang Ruochen had already put down many things, so he did not mind meeting her.
“Should I call you Pan Ruo or Huang Yanchen?” Zhang Ruochen regained his composure quickly and asked calmly.
Pan Ruo approached him and said, “Huang Yanchen no longer exists. There is only Pan Ruo now.” Her tone was indifferent.
Her words struck Zhang Ruochen. When he thought of what Lei Jing had told him, he was curious. ‘What did she go through?’
“Are you okay?” Zhang Ruochen suddenly asked.
Pan Ruo stared at the graves. “Not good,” replied the beauty.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes flashed with light. “Then come back, since you are not happy. Let the past go with the wind.”
“Come back? To where? I’m the Scioness candidate of Fane of Destiny in Infernal Court. I enjoy a much higher status now, and you expect me to return?” her voice was cold.
Yet, there was a hint of self-mockery in her tone.
Zhang Ruochen exhaled and stared at her. “Did you end up this way because of Death’s Door in the skies of Ever-white Planet? What do you want to do in Infernal Court? Did Chi Yao order you to do so?”
Zhang Ruochen had some speculations. He believed that Huang Yanchen, who joined Infernal Court with a completely different appearance, must have a big secret.
Huang Yanchen was not the first Kunlun cultivator who entered the realm of Infernal Court. To his knowledge, there were Empress of Thousand Bones and elder Xuanji.
Neither Empress of Thousand Bones nor elder Xuanji came back once they entered the netherworld of Infernal Court. No one knew what they were doing?
“I can’t answer these questions, and I have no reason to answer you.” Pan Ruo continued after a short pause, “Instead of caring about me, why don’t you worry about yourself first? How about I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead!”
Zhang Ruochen’s locked his gaze at Pan Ruo’s, wanting to see through her and find out what she was thinking deep down inside her mind.
“As far as I know, Yan Wushen has abducted Chi Kunlun. You should know who is Chi Kunlun, right? I’m curious, how can you act as if it doesn’t bother you a bit?” Pan Ruo asked.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression changed slightly. “How did Chi Kunlun end up in Yan Wushen’s hands?”
He remembered clearly that he had seen Chi Kunlun in a special place within the second level of Endless Abyss—Blood Empress’s territory. No matter how strong Yan Wushen was, there was no way he would never go there and abduct Chi Kunlun.
Pan Ruo said, “It’s pointless to ask me. You have to ask Yan Wushen.”
Zhang Ruochen thought carefully, and his heart sank.
‘Will she lie to me again?’
A thought flashed through Zhang Ruochen’s mind. Perhaps this was a trap set by Pan Ruo, Yan Wushen, and even some prominent elites of Infernal Court.
He thought Chi Kunlun being caught could be a lie, a bait to lure him into a trap.
‘Should I trust Blood Empress or her? Can I still trust her? Sigh! I’ve already said that I’ve completely let it go. Why can’t I let it go?”
Zhang Ruochen let out a long sigh. Somehow, a strange feeling cropped up in his heart, and he made up his mind. It was an irrational decision—he chose to trust his ex-wife again, even if it was a trap.
If she deceived him again, this meant the complete end to their relationship.
If that happened, they would be enemies when they met again.
If what Pan Ruo said was true, at least it showed that she did not join Infernal Court for real and something else going on.
Zhang Ruochen had not really come into contact with Chi Kunlun in the second level of Endless Abyss, so Pan Ruo’s words might be true.
However, Zhang Ruochen did not understand why Blood Empress would trick him with a fake Chi Kunlun. Was it just to lure him into Endless Abyss?
There was no doubt that Yan Wushen must have known Chi Kunlun’s identity—the son of Zhang Ruochen and Empress Chi Yao. Hence, this was not good news and could be a terrible one.
Pan Ruo could see that Zhang Ruochen did not completely buy her words, but she did not mind about that. After all, this was the price she had to pay after lying to him once.
It takes a lot of truth to gain trust, but just one lie to lose it all.
Despite feeling sad and bitter, she did not show it on her face. “Yan Wushen has taken a fancy to Chi Kunlun’s physique—True God’s Body—and his cultivation status as a Master of Dimension. He wants to take him as a disciple,” said the beauty flatly.
“Yan Wushen is temperamental. How dan Chi Kunlun be safe with him?” Zhang Ruochen’s brows were tightly knitted.
If he had known that Chi Kunlun was in Yan Wushen’s hands, he would not have let Yan Wushen leave so easily.
Pan Ruo asked, “How much do you know about Yan Wushen?”
Zhang Ruochen knew that Pan Ruo seemed to have some intel to share, so he asked, “I’ve only fought him once. I don’t know much about him.”
“The Yan Wushen you fought with was not the real Yan Wushen. It was just a part of him,” said Pan Ruo in a serious look.
Zhang Ruochen found it hard to understand. “What do you mean?”
“There are actually two Yan Wushens. Or rather, Yan Wushen was splitted into two entities, each with individual personality—one good and one evil. The entity you defeated is the evil Yan Wushen. The other who abducted Chi Kunlun is the good one.”
Zhang Ruochen’s state of mind had matured and toughened over the years. Yet, her explanation managed to stir up great waves within him.
If he had not made up his mind to believe her again, he would have thought she was making up a story.
“How can there be two Yan Wushens?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Pan Ruo pondered for a moment. “There are two sides in every living being: good and evil sides. Even the bodhisattvas and Buddhas in Buddhism are no exception. That is why there is a saying ‘it takes just a thought to become a Buddha or a demon’. There is no absolute good or evil in the world; it depends on the weight of the side that tipped the balance.”
“In Buddhism, the saying ‘Put down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha’ actually means that the good side overrides the evil side.”
“In the past, during the ancient times, there was a Saint-level Buddha in Buddhism sect. He had developed a special cultivation method where he infinitely magnified his own good and evil sides. As a result, he was kind the daytime but evil in the night. By constantly switching between good and evil personalities, he could explore the deepest depth of human nature, with the aim to attain an eternal Buddha Nature.”
“Such practice is too dangerous. Even a Saint-level monk with profound Buddhist skills could fall into demonic path forever. That is why it has been deemed a taboo in Buddhism sect. No one knows about it anymore.”
Zhang Ruochen listened quietly, but his mind was turbulent. Never had he heard of such a strange cultivation method in the world.
It was easy to lead a demonic path, but it was extremely difficult to become a Buddha. No matter how strong one’s will was, they might not be able to hold back the temptation.
“Did Yan Wushen practice this ancient forbidden method of Buddhism sect?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Pan Ruo slightly shook her head and replied, “Yan Wushen went beyond. He has taken a step further on this foundation. He has completely separated his good and evil sides, becoming two separate entities—one good and one evil, just like Yin and Yang.
“However, there is no purity in human nature. Even if Yan Wushen’s good side is separated from his evil counterpart, that doesn’t mean the good side was definitely a kind person. Just like Tai Chi, there is Yang in Yin and Yin in Yang.
“In such state, both Yan Wushens—good and evil—can have no scruples in their actions. In addition, both entities can develop insights that ordinary cultivators can’t achieve. When both entities merge, his cultivation attainment will reach the pinnacle and surpass that of legendary figures.”
‘Just an entity of good or evil alone is this invincible when he supresses his cultivation base to level below Supreme Sainthood. If both good and evil entities combined, how powerful will Yan Wushen become?’
Even though Zhang Ruochen’s cultivation had improved greatly, he felt pressured upon hearing this news.
Obviously, he had to become stronger if he wanted to defeat Yan Wushen for real.
In fact, Zhang Ruochen admired Yan Wushen’s bravery. He dared to embark on such a dangerous path of cultivation. Ordinary people would not even dare to think about it.
“Now, both good and evil entities of Yan Wushen are present in Kunlun. This is an unprecedented event. Perhaps he will take the most crucial step—merging two entities into one—in Kunlun,” Pan Ruo continued.
Only a few people in the entire Infernal Court held such intel about Yan Wushen. Pan Ruo had access to such confidential info because she was favored by the prominent figure of Fane of Destiny.
When Pan Ruo was talking to Zhang Ruochen, the vessel spirit of Emperor Ming’s Hundred Dragon Cuirass—Gold Dragon—hid behind a rock not far away. With its extraordinary concealment technique, it managed to hide its presence from Zhang Ruochen completely.
Gold Dragon really wanted to eavesdrop on Pan Ruo and Zhang Ruochen’s conversation. Unfortunately, it failed to do so due to some tricks used by Pan Ruo.
Gold Dragon could do nothing about it. It could only chew the jerky of a Saint-King beast.
After leaving the Darkmourn Mountains, Gold Dragon had killed many Saint-King beasts, so its food reserves had increased greatly.
The only thing that made it unhappy was that it could not find any Supreme-Saint beasts in Kunlun, so it could only make do with Saint-King beasts.
“That’s right. This kid is indeed a descendant of Zhang Clan, and his bloodline is so strong. It seems that Zhang Clan’s situation isn’t too bad.” Gold Dragon kept nodding while staring at Zhang Ruochen.
It then paused and curled its lips. “If this kid can marry thousands of wives like Crownsnatcher did, there is no need to worry about the prosperity of Zhang Clan. I really miss those days!”
As the vessel spirit of a Supreme Artifact owned by Zhang Clan, Gold Dragon was very familiar with the Zhang Clan’s bloodline.
Gold Dragon really wanted to go over and talk to Zhang Ruochen. However, the moment it recalled what Pan Ruo had told it earlier, it had to give up the thought.
Besides, no matter how strong Zhang Ruochen was, he was not qualified to inherit Emperor Ming’s Hundred Dragon Cuirass unless he was a Supreme Saint.
After a long silence, Pan Ruo said, “You can leave now. I want to stay here alone for a while.”
Zhang Ruochen stared at her for a moment. He had wanted to say many things. Nevertheless, he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth back to his heart.
Keeping his complicated emotions in check, Zhang Ruochen said in a low voice, “I hope we won’t meet on the battlefield.”
Now that they were on opposite sides, they could only be enemies once they met on the battlefield.
After saying this, Zhang Ruochen used Dimensional Shift and disappeared into thin air.
Pan Ruo was slightly stunned, and a faint smile appeared in her eyes.
But soon, her eyes dimmed again. She sighed and shook her head.
Swoosh–
Gold Dragon appeared beside Pan Ruo and asked, “Who was that kid just now? Did you get Emperor Ming’s Hundred Dragon Cuirass from him?”
However, Pan Ruo ignored it and only looked at the hundreds of graves in front of her. She had been in her second lifetime, yet it was not easy to cut ties with the past.
..
In a remote small city in the central region, Yan Wushen and Chi Kunlun sat in a restaurant, drinking wine leisurely. They did not care about what was happening in the outside world.
Ever since the Four Heavenly Kings of the Celestial Palace had left, Yan Wushen could finally be in a carefree state. He no longer had to be on the run.
Suddenly, Yan Wushen’s expression changed. He waved his hand and stored Chi Kunlun into a Dimensional artifact. Then, he left the restaurant using Dimensional Shift.
The next moment, Yan Wushen appeared on a hill outside the city.
There was a person opposite him. That person shared the exact same facial features he had but emitting a completely different aura.
It was the reunion of Yan Wushen’s good and evil entities.
“The name Yan Wushen no longer represents invincibility,” the Evil Yan Wushen said with a solemn voice.
The Good Yan Wushen asked calmly, “Did someone defeat you?”
“Not long ago, I fought Zhang Ruochen and both of us were injured,” said Evil Yan Wushen.
Others could not see Zhang Ruochen’s true strength, but the Evil Yan Wushen had Divine Eye of Origin. Hence, he could see that Zhang Ruochen had also taken serious damage and did not gain the upper hand.
The Good Yan Wushen smiled faintly. “Zhang Ruochen? This Scion of Space and Time has finally grown up. I’m looking forward to fighting with him. I hope he won’t disappoint me. It’s too lonely to live without an opponent.”
Compared to his evil counterpart, the Good Yan Wushen was actually more powerful. He was the dominant one and held extraordinary artifacts.
Zhang Ruochen had been able to fight with his evil counterpart to the point where both sides were injured. In other words, Zhang Ruochen was worthy of being his opponent.
On the other hand, Zhang Ruochen was unaware of it.
He returned to Royal Mountain with a heavy heart. He made up his mind to go to Death’s Door to verify certain things and solve the doubts he had in his mind.
He had taken the special dimensional teleportation array connecting Ever-white Planet back from Ao Xinyan so that he could leave at any time.
Zhang Ruochen wanted to go alone, but Blackie immediately asked to tag along when it heard him.
Speaking of which, they—he, Huang Yanchen, and Blackie—were the ones who had arrived at Ever-white Planet together. It was a secret shared among the three of them.
Of course, another person on the list was Chi Yao.
Anyone would be very curious and want to explore such a mysterious Death’s Door when they saw it.
“Don’t worry. I have already made Royal Mountain impregnable. In addition, that elusive old gramps is here, so no one will dare to to foot in Royal Mountain and cause ruckus,” Blackie said confidently.
Even so, Zhang Ruochen decided to leave Moyin here because he felt that the old gramps who claimed himself to be the ancestor of Zhang Clan was unreliable.
When everything was set, Zhang Ruochen took out the special dimensional teleportation array and placed it in the valley where the key of the World Gate was.
‘Death’s Door, let’s see what is so mysterious about you?” Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Whoosh–
The dimensional teleportation array was activated. A white light flashed, enveloped Zhang Ruochen and Blackie, and disappeared along with them in an instant.
