Chapter 2124: Their own Respective Paths
Looking at the Divine Scripture Maiden, Zhang Ruochen felt very unpleasant. He knew that she must have been extremely depressed.
As a Divine Scripture Maiden, she couldn’t show such a weak side in the imperial court. She need not to worried and could release her suppressed grief now that there was no one else around.
Zhang Ruochen was the only one facing Divine Scripture Maiden.
It seems that Zhang Ruochen had a special place in her heart.
‘It is still far from enough to protect the people and things I care about with my current strength. I need to become stronger. If I don’t become a god, I will become an ant in the end,’ Zhang Ruochen thought to himself as he looked up at the sky.
As time passed, the situation in Kunlun Realm would only become more and more serious. No one could tell how long they could withstand the surging attacks of the Infernal Court.
Countless top-cultivators from Kunlun Realm were defeated by the Infernal Court a hundred thousand years ago. Whether they could still defy the heavens are a no-answer question.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head slightly and put aside all the distracting thoughts. He squatted down, he said softly, “Senior Chu sacrificed himself for a martyr. His morality will live on, and his bravery will be the song that bard sings. We should inherit his will and turn grief into strength to fight against the Infernal Court to the end. We must not let his blood flow in vain.”
As he spoke, Zhang Ruochen walked towards Divine Scripture Maiden. He smelled the faint fragrance on her body and felt pity for her. He could not help but reach out a hand, twirling his sleeve and wiping away the tears in her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen recalled the first time they met. At that time, Divine Scripture Maiden was high up like a goddess in the nine heavens. He did not dare to have the slightest sense of blasphemy.
Time had changed. Now, Zhang Ruochen was famous throughout the world. Many from the Celestial Court and the Infernal Court would think twice before facing him. Divine Scripture Maiden, on the other hand, seemed delicate in his eyes.
Divine Scripture Maiden slowly raised her head. A blush appeared on her soul-stirring face. She quickly turned to avoid Zhang Ruochen.
Divine Scripture Maiden’s emotions gradually calmed down. After a cry, she felt much better.
“Elder Art Saint knew that he wouldn’t be able to escape, so he used a secret technique to let a disciple of the Art Sect escape with the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths. He didn’t let this treasure fall into the hands of the Rakshasa,” Divine Scripture Maiden whispered as she took out an old painting.
Zhang Ruochen wasn’t unfamiliar with this painting. He had once shared seven lives with Ling Feiyu in the illusory world of the painting. Although it wasn’t real, everything he had experienced was as real as it was. It was engraved so deeply in his heart that it was unforgettable.
Seeing the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths again made Zhang Ruochen sigh with emotion. Unfortunately, he would never see the stubborn and boastful “Old man Chu” again.
Zhang Ruochen sighed lightly and said, “Senior Chu entrusted the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths to you, which is the same as trusting the hope of the Art Sect to you. The disciples of the Art Sect are all over the world. Even if the Rakshasa destroys the Art Sect, it will not be truly destroyed.”
“Danqing, you are the scion of Senior Chu. As long as you show up and raise your arm, all the disciples of the Art Sect in the world will definitely gather and rebuild the Art Sect. This is the best consolation for Senior Chu’s spirit in heaven.”
The Four Schools of Confucianism had existed in Kunlun Realm for tens of millions of years. They had experienced countless storms and tribulations, but they had never fallen. Their foundations were unfathomable. Their Paths had long been spread across the other worlds. Even if Kunlun Realm was destroyed, Confucianism would not perish.
The catastrophe at the end of the Middle Ages had spread far and wide. Qin Sect, Chess Sect, and the Calligraphy Sect had all been destroyed along with the Saint Ancient Tea tree of the three sects. But after that, the three sects had been rebuilt. They were still as powerful as ever.
“I won’t let Senior Art Saint fail. After the catastrophe, the Art Sect will be stronger than before.” Divine Scripture Maiden stood up with determination in her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen also stood up and said solemnly, “Senior Chu has been gracious to me. I will avenge for him. where is Great Prince Mara now? I will take his head as a tribute to Senior Chu.”
As of today, Zhang Ruochen was very clear about the information of the powerhouses of the ten clans of Infernal Court, including Great Prince Mara.
Great Prince Mara was a top-notch cultivator below the Supreme Saint. Although he was not as famous as Yan Wushen, he should not be underestimated.
Over the centuries, Great Prince Mara had dominated the Battlefield of Merits from many great worlds. His favorite hobby was to cut off the flesh of the captured top-cultivators and eat them in front of him, cruel indeed.
“Great Prince Mara is not in Kunlun Realm now. He is escorting the Saint Ancient Tea Tree back to the Infernal Court.” Divine Scripture Maiden shook her head.
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly and said, “Keep a close eye on Great Prince Mara. If he shows up, let me know immediately. I will sever his head off his neck.”
He did not do this for Confucianism, nor for the imperial court. He only did it because he admired Chu Siyuan’s integrity and wanted to repay the favor he had done in the past.
Divine Scripture Maiden nodded slightly and said, “Well, the situation of Confucianism is very chaotic now. I have to go back and deal with it as soon as possible. You have to take care of yourself.”
Ever since the news of the destruction of the Art Sect spread, all the scholars in the world were furious and wanted to avenge Chu Siyuan. More and more great Confucianists and saint Confucianists had rushed to the southern region. If anything went wrong, the impact on Confucianism would undoubtedly be greater.
If the key to the World Gate wasn’t the priority, Divine Scripture Maiden would not have put aside the matter of Confucianism and rushed to the Ying Yang Sea at this time.
“You’d take care as well. If you run into trouble, send a message to me. You should know that as long as you send a message, I’ll do my best to help you, no matter how dangerous could it be,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Although Divine Scripture Maiden was from the imperial court, and someone close to Chi Yao, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t just stand by and watch as long as something happened to her.
Today, Zhang Ruochen finally dared to express the feelings he had from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps this was also a breakthrough in the state of mind. Without this breakthrough, even if Zhang Ruochen had attained the Path’s Anterior realm, he would not be able to become a Supreme Saint.
The Divine Scripture Maiden’s delicate body trembled, and a warm feeling emerged in her heart. For her, as long as she had Zhang Ruochen’s words, it would be enough.
What else could she ask for in her life?
She only hated that the knot between them had been unsolvable for thousands of years. With the gap that Chi Yao and Zhang Ruochen had drawn with their own hands, the entire Kunlun had been divided into two. It was destined that the two of them would not have a happy ending.
“Farewell. Perhaps this time, when we return to the imperial city, we will really be parted forever.”
The Divine Scripture Maiden thought so. Some things could only be hidden from the bottom of her heart, but she did not tell Zhang Ruochen in the end. She smiled bitterly and did not dare to turn around. She was afraid that Zhang Ruochen would see the tears in her eyes again. She steered the canoe and slowly disappeared into the fog.
Zhang Ruochen stood on the surface of the sea for a long time. His eyes were filled with complicated emotions as he looked in the direction where Divine Scripture Maiden had left.
The news of Chu Siyuan’s death had touched him greatly. It made him yearn to become stronger. Not only would he become stronger, but he would also make the people around him stronger and can survive in the chaotic world.
Phew
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath and cast aside his distracting thoughts. He continued to rush to the sea region where Silver Dragon Island was.
Ao Xinyan had been waiting for him outside the island early on.
Zhang Ruochen briefly informed the situation on True Dragon Island, which made Ao Xinyan very happy.
Even if the key to the World Gate was no longer on True Dragon Island, it was still the sacred ground of the Divine Dragon Clan. Ao Xinyan naturally did not want any outsiders to casually step on it.
It was undoubtedly the best outcome for the divine array to re-seal True Dragon Island.
As soon as he landed on the island, Zhang Ruochen ran into the Heaven-devourer Dragon and several dragon kings from Mount Zulong. They were waiting for him and the reason why was obvious.
With a flip of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out an Exquisite Dimensional Orb and released all the rescued dragon clans from Mount Zulong.
Although Mount Zulong had suffered a great calamity, the Infernal Court wanted to use their Divine Dragon Bloodline to activate True Dragon Island. They did not kill wantonly. Therefore, most of the dragon clans survived and could rebuild Mount Zulong.
Seeing so many dragons being saved, the Heaven-devourer Dragon and the dragon kings were very excited. Yet they had mixed feelings about it. After all, Mount Zulong used to be hostile to Zhang Ruochen. Now, Zhang Ruochen had saved them.
After a moment of silence, the Heaven-devourer Dragon walked forward. Lowering his arrogant head, he said seriously, “I can’t say how thankful I am. But If you have any request in the future, the entire Mount Zulong will not refuse.”
Zhang Ruochen said indifferently, “Kunlun Realm is in a precarious situation. No matter what grudges we have in the past, we should put them aside and fight against the Infernal Court together.”
“From now on, Mount Zulong and the Infernal court will fight to the death,” the Heaven-devourer Dragon said firmly.
Mount Zulong’s lineage had almost been exterminated by the Infernal Court. How could they let go of such a deep hatred?
Considering that Mount Zulong had been destroyed and the situation in Kunlun Realm was grim, Ao Xinyan made the decision to let the dragon race of Mount Zulong stay on Silver Dragon Island for the time being.
After all, the dragon race of Mount Zulong also had traces of Divine Dragon Blood flowing in their bodies. At this time, it was reasonable to give them some care.
Under the call of Ao Xinyan, all the top-cultivators who had returned from True Dragon Island gathered in the main hall of Silver Dragon Palace.
Glancing at everyone present, Zhang Ruochen said seriously, “The key to the World Gate determines the rise and fall of Kunlun Realm. I hope you can keep it a secret and not leak it to anyone. Otherwise, all our efforts for this may be in vain.”
Hearing this, everyone could not help but nod seriously. Although they had different identities and origins, they all had the same intention to protect Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen had displayed his strength in the battle with the Son of Darkness, and he had gained everyone’s recognition. No one was more suitable than him to be the guardian of the key to the World Gate.
The matter of the key to the World Gate had come to an end temporarily. The Elder Patriarch Death Zen and the Corpse Emperor Tianming hadn’t stayed on Silver Dragon Island for long. They had other important matters to attend to.
Before they left, they had promised Zhang Ruochen that they would help as long as the matters related to the key to the World Gate.
Zhang Ruochen did not plan to stay on Silver Dragon Island either. He was ready to leave with Blackie, bringing the key to the World Gate.
The gods of the Fane of Darkness were almighty. If Zhang Ruochen let the key to the World Gate stayed in the Ying Yang Sea, they might notice it. It was better to relocate it. Zhang Ruochen had already thought of a place in mind.
Speaking of which, ever since he was brought out of True Dragon Island, the short and skinny old man had revealed his true form. He had turned into an ancient stone key. There were patterns etched on it naturally. Each of the patterns was perfectly compatible with the precepts of heaven and earth.
Cultivating near the key to the World Gate and comprehending the Precept could hasten the effort. Even comprehending the Path of Supreme Saint or the Path of the Ancients was no exception.
Moreover, as long as the key to the World Gate was located, the Saint Qi of heaven and earth would gather endlessly. Even a very ordinary place would become a sacred ground for cultivation after a while.
If it could be used well, it would undoubtedly be used to cultivate masses of powerhouses.
Ao Xinyan waved her hand and took out a complicated dimensional teleportation array. She said, “Captain, this is what you asked me to keep when you left the Divine Dragon Halfling clan. Now, it should be returned to its owner.”
This was not an ordinary spatial teleportation array. It had an extraordinary origin and was left behind by Saint Monk Xumi.
When they were in the Black Dragon Ruins Realm, Zhang Ruochen and the others had discovered a dimensional teleportation array underground. After activating it, they had been teleported to the distant Golden Ruins Realm. Then, they had been teleported again and again until they finally reached the desolate Ever-white Planet.
Above Ever-white Planet, there was a vast milky way of Styx and a massive Death’s Door. There were many mysteries.
Later, they had been transported in reverse and were able to return to Kunlun Realm. However, they were in the Endless Abyss.
To reach the Ever-white Planet again, they had put away the dimensional teleportation array in the Endless Abyss.
The last time Zhang Ruochen came to the Ying Yang Sea, he was oppressed by Mount Zulong. He had to use the dimensional teleportation array to escape and left it in the hands of the Divine Dragon Halfling clan.
Many years passed in a flash. Seeing the dimensional teleportation array again reminded Zhang Ruochen of Death’s Door. He was too weak and didn’t even have the strength to break through it.
The gatekeeper had said that only those who had attained the Saint King realm were qualified to break through the Death’s Door, and it would still be deadly.
Zhang Ruochen was very curious. who’d built the Gate of Hell and why? Was It really infernal behind it?
With his current strength, he might be able to solve these mysteries.
Blackie’s eyes lit up when he saw the dimensional teleportation array. He quickly put it away.
“Hey hey, take your time to say goodbye. I won’t be in your way.” Blackie moved and disappeared.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“Captain, I don’t think we need to be so polite between?” Ao Xinyan rolled her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Xinyan, Congratulations on becoming the disciple of that taboo figure. I hope that one day, the Divine Dragon Clan will rise again because of you and regain its former glory.”
“If it weren’t for your help, Captain. I wouldn’t have such an opportunity. It’s a pity that I have my master’s orders and need to guard the Ying Yang Sea. Otherwise, I would like to travel with you everywhere, just like before.” Ao Xinyan sighed.
As Princess Shenlong, she had a significant duty on her shoulders. She could no longer be as carefree as before.
Zhang Ruochen said, “There will be opportunities in the future. The most important thing now is for you to become stronger so that you can complete your master’s orders better. The road we need to walk is still very long. It’s just the beginning.”
As he spoke, Zhang Ruochen’s eyes lit up. His goal was very ambitious. Not only to become a god but to become a powerful figure among the gods. Only then could he truly control his own destiny.