Chapter 1037: Internal Chaos of the Sacred Central Crypt
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
The old monk held a badge from the Guarding Dragon Pavilion. The badge was made out of a unique material that could not be replicated by others.
Zhang Ruochen had never seen a member of the Guarding Dragon Pavilion, but he had to recognize the man’s identity.
Who would’ve thought that the legendary Guarding Dragon Pavilion really existed?
Zhang Ruochen returned the badge to Zhao Fu. “Where are the other members of the Guarding Dragon Pavilion?”
Zhang Ruochen’s cultivation was still very low, but Zhao Fu was very respectful and didn’t dare offend him. “Our members are dispersed throughout the Kunlun’s Field. We all have different identities and missions. Only the pavilion lord knows everyone’s identity.”
Furrowing his brow, Zhang Ruochen continued asking, “What exactly is the Guarding Dragon Pavilion’s mysterious mission?”
Zhao Fu shook his head and smiled. “Your Majesty, I only know that my mission is to guard the Royal Tombs. I do not know the missions of others. However, the pavilion lord will definitely know.”
Zhang Ruochen asked some other questions, such as where the pavilion lord was and if the Guarding Dragon Pavilion had taken away the Sacred Central Empire’s treasury 800 years ago.
However, Zhao Fu knew very little. Zhang Ruochen couldn’t find out any substantial information.
Zhao Fu told Zhang Ruochen that his master had died. Before dying, he gave Zhao Fu the way to contact the pavilion lord. He could only use it during the most critical emergencies. Otherwise, it was the pavilion lord who contacted him.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t tell Zhao Fu to contact the pavilion lord. This didn’t mean that he didn’t want to summon back the members of the Guarding Dragon Pavilion. He just felt that the time wasn’t right yet.
Right now, the state of Kunlun’s Field was changing very quickly. Dark currents flowed and unpredictable catastrophes could erupt at any time.
Whoever made the biggest commotion would attract the most attention and die the quickest.
“Actually, cousin, you can summon the members too,” Kong Lanyou said. “If you issue the call for action, you’ll be protected by the Guarding Dragon Pavilion and Sacred Central Crypt. In addition, there are the descendants of the royal Zhang family and our old supporters. We can totally take down the Sacred City and reestablish the Sacred Central Empire. You can proclaim yourself emperor and counter Chi Yao’s First Central Empire.”
She continued, “Right now, the imperial court’s army is restricted by the dead souls in the east, the Death Zen Sect in the south, and the Immortal Vampires in the north. They can’t deal with us at all. We can take advantage of this and strengthen. We can expand our territory and completely shatter the First Central Empire.”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “Your idea is good, but unfortunately, you only thought about the problem’s surface.”
Kong Lanyou bit her lips and her expression turned angry. Zhang Ruochen didn’t care about her dignity.
After all, she was a Saint Elder of the Sacred Central Crypt. She had 800 years of experience and extremely high cultivation. Everyone feared her. However, Zhang Ruochen still treated her like a little one and directly rejected her suggestion.
“You don’t think so? Then let me analyze the current situation to you,” Zhang Ruochen said. “First of all, the dead spirits of the east, the Death Zen Sect of the south, and the Immortal Vampires of the north all aren’t the First Central Empire’s match. If Chi Yao decides to destroy them, she can do it easily.”
Kong Lanyou naturally knew how terrifying the First Central Empire’s strength was. She also knew how horrifying Chi Yao’s cultivation was. However, she still didn’t understand what Zhang Ruochen meant. She was confused.
Looking at her, Zhang Ruochen shook his head, thinking, She really hasn’t gotten smarter after all these years.
“I suspect that Chi Yao is training soldiers,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Training soldiers?”
Zhang Ruochen nodded in confirmation. “The First Central Empire started a golden age for the Martial Way. There are countless Saints and everyone is brilliant. However, humans have been at peace for centuries. We’ve become arrogant and proud. We’ve forgotten the days where we fought for survival with the savage beasts.”
“If I was Chi Yao, standing at the peak of Kunlun’s Field and seeing this situation, I would also attract some forces to challenge my soldiers.”
Huang Yanchen’s eyes shone. “The Empress purposely refuses to clean up the mess in the three regions? Won’t many innocent humans die? How can she be so cold?”
Kong Lanyou thought carefully and her eyes turned cold. “From what I know of her, it’s really something she’ll do. Cousin, you know her the best. Her calculations go deeper than anyone.”
Immediately after, Zhang Ruochen continued, “Secondly, the stone tablet left behind by the Thousand-bone Empress can only seal off the netherworld and living world for a few years. It won’t be long before even more and stronger dead spirits pour into Kunlun’s Field.
“That is a true disaster. The entire Kunlun’s Field united might not be able to fend them off. Faced with such a catastrophe, if we reestablish the Sacred Central Empire to fight against the First Central Empire now, what meaning is there other than killing more of us?”
“There are too many hidden dangers in the Kunlun’s Field. Many ancient forces and powerful heads are still laying low, waiting for the right time. If we jump out first to reestablish the empire, we’ll definitely become everyone’s targets. We won’t have a good ending.”
Merely Pluto and the Blood Empress already made Zhang Ruochen feel very unsettled. Plus, Kunlun’s Field didn’t only have these two hidden threats.
After all, the Immortal Vampires weren’t the only ancient race.
Disregarding the others, if the Necromancer Race and Ghost Cultivation Race dared to cause trouble, they must have some hidden tricks.
The Kunlun’s Field was too big. People like Zhang Ruochen could come back to life 800 years after his death. Who knew what other illogical things were possible?
With Kong Lanyou’s current status and cultivation, she naturally knew many secrets about Kunlun’s Field. Her small mouth moved, but she didn’t say anything. She continued listening to Zhang Ruochen’s explanation.
Zhang Ruochen’s tone calmed down a bit as he said, “Thirdly, can the Sacred Central Crypt really follow the royal Zhang Family again?”
Hearing this, Kong Lanyou bit her lip. What must come will always come, she thought.
Not avoiding it anymore, Zhang Ruochen asked her straightforwardly, “Lanyou, you should give me an explanation about Peacock House, right? Why did you do it 800 years ago?”
He had to ask it sooner or later. If not, there would always be something between him and Kong Lanyou.
Kong Lanyou didn’t dare to meet his eyes. She looked into the distant tombs and said, “Cousin, I was still young back then. I didn’t know why those things would happen at all, until… I didn’t find out the truth until centuries later.”
“What’s the truth?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Kong Lanyou fluttered her lashes with a pleading expression. “I can’t tell you right now.”
“It’s just the truth. Is it that hard to say?” Zhang Ruochen didn’t understand.
What exactly was Kong Lanyou hiding? Why wasn’t she willing to reveal it?
Eight hundred years had passed. Many things had happened and passed. What was the point of hiding it still?
Kong Lanyou shook her head forcefully. “Please, Cousin, don’t force me. When I think I can tell you, I’ll definitely tell you everything.”
“Alright. I won’t force you.” Zhang Ruochen sighed.
Finally, Kong Lanyou let out a breath. She didn’t want to hide the past from Zhang Ruochen, but she had no choice. Some things weren’t as simple as they seemed.
“I’m the Saint Elder of the Sacred Central Crypt,” Kong Lanyou said. “If I wish, I can command the various groups of the crypt. Cousin, no matter when you wish to reestablish the Sacred Central Empire, I’ll aid you at first notice.”
With Kong Lanyou’s current cultivation and status, Zhang Ruochen was very touched that she could still say those things.
However, the Sacred Central Crypt had already split off from the old supporters of the Sacred Central Empire. They had very deep conflicts. Even if they were forced to reunify, there would still be hidden threats.
To Zhang Ruochen, it would be better to develop the Sacred Sect with all his power and create a force that truly belonged to him.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t ask Kong Lanyou if his identity was exposed because of her. He believed that Kong Lanyou wouldn’t do something like that.
There was only one other person left: Kong Hongbi.
Kong Hongbi probably wants to use other forces to find me. He might not know my true identity, he thought.
Seeing the cold light flash past Zhang Ruochen’s eyes, Kong Lanyou asked, “Cousin, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. He didn’t reveal the conflicts between him and Kong Hongbi. He didn’t like relying on other people. If he could solve something by himself, he would definitely do it personally.
Only if he was personally strong would he be truly strong.
Following that, Zhang Ruochen remained in the Royal Tombs. In addition to guarding his mother’s tomb, he also cultivated to improve himself.
After refining divine blood, his cultivation had successfully reached the pinnacle of the Fifth Level.
One day, Zhao Fu brought news. “There’s internal chaos in the Sacred Central Crypt. The imperial court’s army is mustering to take advantage of this chance and destroy them.”
The Sacred Central Crypt wasn’t unified within. They’d gathered dozens of forces from the previous dynasty. The Peacock House was only the biggest amongst them.
The various forces had different interests. It was possible for them to have conflicts.
Receiving this news, Kong Lanyou planned on returning. “Cousin, will you go back with me? After I settle the conflicts, I can help you become the crypt leader.”
“No,” Huang Yanchen said, walking out immediately. “The Sacred Central Crypt has just fallen to chaos and the imperial court’s army has already gathered. Isn’t it a bit odd? I suspect this has something to do with the Empress. She probably left the Central Emperor City with plans to eradicate the Sacred Central Crypt. Won’t it be too dangerous for Brother Chen to go back with you?”
Kong Lanyou thought carefully. Huang Yanchen’s words weren’t completely without logic. “Cousin, I’ll come find you after I settle the conflict.”
Zhang Ruochen thought it was strange as well, but he knew that Kong Lanyou had to hurry back. The people of the Peacock House were still in the Sacred Central Crypt.
Kong Lanyou hadn’t changed in 800 years, but her responsibilities had become heavier. She was no longer that innocent little girl nor just Zhang Ruochen’s cousin. She was a Saint Elder.
“Lanyou!” Zhang Ruochen called. “Be careful,” he reminded her. “If you see Chi Yao, don’t go straight against her. One day, I’ll personally go to her palace and make her pay for everything.”
Kong Lanyou made a noise of agreement and nodded. Then she disappeared from the Royal Tombs as a streak of white light.