Chapter 2196: Altar of Saints vs. Fanes
In Yuanchu Palace, all the elites of Imperial Court gathered. Even though they faced those top leaders from Heavenly Realm faction, they did not show any fear.
The Nine-heavens Maiden’s robe was stained with blood as she stood upright. Previously, when she fought with Saint Lord Wu Xin, she was already severely injured and had expended a lot of energy. Her strong willpower was what was left to hold herself up.
“Finally, this day has come. It is the time to sacrifice our lives and blood for Kunlun,” said the Nine-heavens Maiden with a determined look in her eyes.
She raised her Saint Sword high. “Let’s burn our lifeforce and our Saint blood. We shall fight our final battle to protect Kunlun. Show the Heavenly Realm faction our willpower and courage!” Her voice was loud and clear.
Her words struck every one present. The Saint blood within them was boiling, their fighting spirit as high as ever.
“You want to destroy Kunlun? Over our dead bodies!”
“As a man of Kunlun, we shed blood but not tears.”
“We can die, but Kunlun will live forever. One day, Kunlun will stand at the top of the universe again. When the time comes, your Macroworlds will pay the price.”
“Fight for Kunlun, and die with no regret.”
…
Many Kunlun elites shouted one after another in soaring emotions, and they were all ready to sacrifice themselves for their homeland.
Almost at the same time, led by Nine-heavens Maiden and the six Realm Bearers, all the elites of Kunlun’s Central Imperial Court began to burn their lifeforce and Saint Blood to sublimate their own power.
Whoosh!
All of a sudden, everyone’s power gathered and turned into an incomparably bright ray that pierced through Time and Space, like an eternal light illuminating the past and the present.
“Kill them all.”
Several leaders of the Heavenly Realm faction, including Akash, all attacked. They all used advanced Saint techniques, each of which could destroy the stars in outer space and pierce through a Ruins Realm.
Boom!
The brutal attacks collided, causing Yuanchu Palace to shake violently.
If not for the fact that Yuanchu Palace had become extraordinary after being nourished by Empress Chi Yao’s divine power, it would have been shattered into pieces.
As all the elites in Imperial Court were burning their lifeforce and Saint Blood, their dark hair quickly turned gray. Their skin also dimmed and lost its luster. It was as if they had aged a thousand years in an instant.
However, even so, they only managed to hold on for a moment before they were exhausted.
Bang!
The Central Imperial Court elites were sent flying.
No one spat out blood because they had no more blood left.
All of their faces turned as pale as ashes as they collapsed on the ground. They did not even have the strength to move and had completely lost the ability to resist.
The difference in strength was too great. Even if they tried their best, they could not change anything.
Akash sighed and said, “Why do you have to do this? You could have survived by making the right choice, yet you chose a dead end. You are foolish. What you have done is pointless.”
“We are different from you. You want to be a dog of Heavenly Realm, but we shall stay as the men of upright conduct. It is a pity that there are leaders like you in Megrez,” the Nine-heavens Maiden said.
At this moment, she was the only one among the Imperial Court elites who had the strength to stand up and face the leaders of Heavenly Realm faction.
A cold glint appeared in Akash’s eyes as he said, “It’s useless to say anything now. You will end up o be mine after all.”
Just as the Nine-heavens Maiden was about to say something, a miraculous change occurred in her body. Nine beams of Saint Light shot out from her body and turned into nine faint figures surrounding her. Their appearances were the same as the Nine-heavens Maiden.
There was a drop of tear within each of the nine faint figures. Each was emitting a different colored Saint Light.
“Navagraha’s Tears!”
Akash’s eyes suddenly lit up.
After all, this was the reason he had entered Kunlun.
At this moment, the Saint Light emitted by the nine drops of divine tears became brighter and brighter. They resonated with each other and released a ball of light that entered the Nine-heavens Maiden’body.
Instantly, the dim skin of the Nine-heavens Maiden regained its luster. Every inch of her skin was glowing with divine light.
“Never did I see this coming at this time. I have finally attained the cultivation realm that Her Highness mentioned,” the Nine-heavens Maiden could not help but sigh.
All the entities of the Nine-heavens Maiden—Divine Scripture Maiden Nalan Danqing, Magical Hand Maiden Qing Mo, Warrior Saint Wan Canglan, and Destiny Maiden Xian Feizi—were extraordinary maidens. Every single of them had incredible talents.
However, back then, when the nine of them had merged into a single entity, the Nine-heavens Maiden, they had failed to reach the realm they had expected.
The Nine-heavens Maiden had asked Empress Chi Yao the reason.
Empress Chi Yao had explained detailly to them. According to her, the nine of them were nine separate individuals, each with their own will. Hence, it was difficult for them to connect with each other truly. Moreover, since there were differences in their strength, they would repel each other. Hence, it was difficult for them to merge fully.
To overcome this, the nine maidens needed time to get used to each other. They needed to go through countless trials and tribulations before they could completely fuse with each other. When they succeed, they could perfectly display the powers they possessed and even achieve a significant improvement on their individual cultivation base.
Only then could they become the real Nine-heavens Maiden, and their future accomplishments would be even higher than the empress.
It was precise because of this that the nine of them had been trying their best to stay as a single entity—the Nine-heavens Maiden—for a long period. By doing so, they could speed up the process of fusing with each other. Now, under immense pressure, their minds and wills were finally completely integrated.
Whoosh!
The nine faint figures merged into the Nine-heavens Maiden once again.
With no hesitation, the Nine-heavens Maiden immediately mobilized her remaining strength and injected it into Sacred Confucian Tome. With all her might, she shot out the tome.
“At this point, you still want to continue your struggle? Restrain!”
Akash shook his head. With a wave of his hand, he sent out a Taiji Disposition Diagram.
The Taiji Disposition Diagram slowly revolved, releasing Yin and Yang Qi, enveloping Sacred Confucian Tome.
Rumble
Sacred Confucian Tome flipped. An illusory shadow of an ancient Saint walked out from the book. The white beard on his chin slashed out like a heavenly blade.
The force it carried was destructive. It slashed through the Taiji Disposition Diagram and landed on Akash’s body.
Shink!
Half of Akash’s body was sliced off. The Divine Mark on his skin was broken, and Saint Blood splattered everywhere. His Saint Bones were shattered, and his internal organs were exposed. He was in a miserable state as he screamed in pain.
“Impossible! You should not have any strength left. How did you injure me so easily?” Akash swallowed a healing pill as he retreated.
The current Nine-heavens Maiden was too terrifying. Akash did not seem to be able to retaliate in front of her.
‘Could it be that she has fully mastered the power of Navagraha’s Tears?’
Ptui!
The Nine-heavens Maiden spat out a large mouthful of blood as she swayed. After all, she was at the end of her tether.
“The situation isn’t good. Let’s restrain the Nine-heavens Maiden together. Kill her if necessary.”
The five leaders from the major Macroworlds supporting Heavenly Realm attacked at the same time. Each of them took out a Regal Artifact and crushed the illusory shadow of the ancient Saint above Sacred Confucian Tome.
If the Nine-heavens Maiden were in her best state, she would not have been afraid of them.
However, she was too weak. As a result, she was restrained by the five Regal Artifacts. She could not even open Sacred Confucian Tome. Nevertheless, she did not fall. She supported her posture with her Saint Sword.
“Since Zhang Ruochen is the unbreakable backbone of Kunlun, I shall be the last breath of Kunlun! I will never submit. I will never give up. I will die with no regrets.” Divine Scripture Maiden held her sword with one hand and Sacred Confucian Tome with the other. The Saint light on her got dimmer and dimmer. Her skin cracked inch by inch.
When the Imperial Court elites saw this, their eyes were filled with sadness and despair.
In the end, they could not escape the fate of being annihilated. From now on, Central Imperial Court would no longer exist.
They were resentful and sad for such an outcome. Without powers, they could only be slaughtered by others.
Mastodon-Devouring Rabbit had returned to its original form. Its body was full of cracks. It struggled and shouted, “Master Zhang, we can’t hold on anymore. If you can’t reach us, we will die for sure.
“I don’t want to die yet… There are still many things I haven’t tasted. Before I die, at least let me taste those wings of a Supreme-Saint-level Angel…”
Rumble
The battle outside Yuanchu Palace became even more intense.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Yuanchu Palace.
As soon as he saw Chi Kongyue, Nine Heavens Fairy, and the others who were heavily injured and weak, an even more terrifying murderous aura burst out from him.
He activated Yinyang Sword Formation and launched an unparalleled sword strike.
Boom!
The Sword Light hit Archangel Michael and sent him flying, leaving a bone-deep bloody scar on his body.
“Where do you think you are going!”
Before Zhang Ruochen could rush to Yuanchu Palace, the High-Saint Array Masters launched an attack, sending a wave of Saint-level force to block his way.
The next moment, Archangel Michael flew back and laughed. “Zhang Ruochen, your state of mind is finally disrupted. You shall meet your doom here.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes were cold. The lockdown imposed on the forces of Time and Dimension had greatly affected his strength.
Whoosh!
He sent another sword strike. For the 74th time, Archangel Michael was sent flying. The severely injured Archangel was drenched in blood, covered in sword wounds.
However, Archangel Michael suppressed his injuries with his strong will. He flew back again, his mouth filled with a fresh bloodstain. “Let’s fight. My willpower isn’t weaker than yours. Let’s see who will die first.”
Yin Yuanchen, Saint Lord Pravus, and the two High-Saint Array Masters also attacked Zhang Ruochen continuously. They struck him head-on, risking their lives to restrain him.
There was a madness on Yin Yuanchen’s face. “Having to watch your loved ones lying in the pool of blood yet unable to save them, you must be in despair now. Serve you right for being the enemy of Heavenly Realm!
“But you don’t have to worry. They will die, and you won’t live either. You will meet them soon.”
As he spoke, Yin Yuanchen waved the divine sword in his hand again. He condensed a large amount of divine force of Death, trying to slash Zhang Ruochen.
After fusing with the divine corpse, his defense was powerful. He was not afraid of Zhang Ruochen at all.
Heavenly Realm faction had the absolute advantage. Although they could not trounce Zhang Ruochen, they could slowly drain his energy.
A man’s energy was limited. Zhang Ruochen could not maintain his best state forever.
When he became weak, they could finally kill him.
Zhang Ruochen’s state of mind would become unsteady, especially when he was worried about Chi Kongyue, Nine-heavens Maiden, and the others. And eventually, he would expose his weaknesses.
Things were headed in the direction as Heavenly Realm faction had planned.
Zhang Ruochen’s state of mind was indeed unstable. He couldn’t keep calm.
He had used all kinds of methods, including all Artifacts, but he could not break free. His movement was restrained.
“Do you know what is a ‘cornered beast fight’? You’re the cornered beast now.” Saint Lord Pravus smiled.
“Fane of Time and Fane of Dimension, if I survive this battle, I’ll definitely make you pay for this!” Zhang Ruochen’s murderous aura soared.
What he wanted to do the most now was to destroy the two Fanes restraining his strength.
No. Not just that.
He wanted to slaughter all the cultivators of the Heavenly Realm faction.
All the Heavenly World faction elites smiled. Zhang Ruochen’s fate was sealed. There was no way he could turn the tide.
Rumble
At this moment, a terrifying aura suddenly appeared above everyone’s heads.
“What energy is this? What a powerful aura.”
The elites from Heavenly Realm faction all looked up.
The sky turned dark and became pitch-black.
A majestic altar appeared in the sky, emitting a Saint light that dispersed the darkness. It was like a blazing sun that descended along with monstrous power at high speed.
On the altar stood dozens of Saints. They looked down and said in unison, “Your Highness, Guardian Dragon Pavilion is here to help you slaughter your enemies! ”
“Your Highness, Guardian Dragon Pavilion is here to help you slaughter your enemies! ”
…
The altar was 990 feet tall. It emitted Saint light as bright as white jade. Complicated patterns were carved on the altar’s surface, and Saint Blood flowed on the patterns.
All the members of Guardian Dragon Pavilion, including Han Qiu and Shangguan Que, stood in various positions on the altar in some order or sequence,
Han Qiu said, “Heavenly Realm faction cultivators, you have committed a grave sin for trying to kill His Highness! Today, all of you will die!”
Le was also a member of Guardian Dragon Pavilion. When he learned of the Heavenly Realm faction’s actions, he immediately notified Guardian Dragon Pavilion. Because of this, Guardian Dragon Pavilion was able to gather in time and rush to Ziwei Palace.
The Altar of Saints was made from the entire Central Shengming Empire’s treasure. It collected the Saint Souls of countless Saints who had died in Kunlun.
At this time, all of the Saint Souls flew out. These souls were not faint at all; they were solid. They looked no different from real living Saints.
Their forms were very similar to Ghost Lords.
They were in an unusual state. They were not humans, nor were they ghosts.
Guardian Dragon Pavilion called them “Rogue Saints”.
Rogue Saints practiced a Saint Path left behind by Emperor Ming. Although it was a different Saint Path, they could become Supreme Saints or even divine-level elites in the future.
This path was known as the “Path of Azure”. It was created by Bi Luozi, one of the greatest elites of Kunlun in the middle ancient time.
To be exact, Bi Luozi had taken this Path and eventually become a powerful deity as famous as Saint Monk Xumi and Lord Wentian. His fame had spread across myriad of Macroworlds.
As for how the “Path of Azure” fell into the hands of Emperor Ming, it was unknown.
The number of Rogue Saints was huge, and they filled the Altar of Saints.
The Altar of Saints crushed down, and a thunder-like sound erupted.
Boom!
Fane of Time and Fane of Dimension hovering in the sky were the first to be crushed by the altar.
The disciples sitting cross-legged in the two Fanes were crushed into meat paste before they could react. Their death was brutal.
“Arghhhh…”
Dongfang Qingyu let out a miserable cry before his body exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist.
“You guys are just in time. Kill all the cultivators of Heavenly Realm faction. Spare no one!”
Without the restraints imposed by the two Fanes, Zhang Ruochen’s morale rose. Finally, he could use the power of Time and Dimension again.
He activated the Precepts of Time and Dimension at the same time. They merged with the mysterious sword hilt from the sword tomb. Then, with a swung, he launched a strike.
“Not good.”
Archangel Michael’s pupils constricted.
It was already too late to dodge.
Archangel Michael blocked Zhang Ruochen’s way with Sword of Judgment. At the same time, he released his own majestic Saint Qi, trying his best to build up layers of defense.
CLANG!
Sword of Judgment was hit away. All the defenses were broken through in an instant as if they were as fragile as a paper.
At the critical moment, Archangel Michael blocked most of the attack by using the twelve halos of the twelve Angels of Vengeance.
The twelve halos shattered and turned into corpses on the ground. Blood rained down from the sky, and the air was burning with sizzling sounds.
The twelve Angels of Vengeance were all dead.
Archangel Michael survived, but he was severely injured. He was almost split in half, and the platinum wings on his back were all twisted into bloody mud by the Sword Qi.
Zhang Ruochen ignored Archangel Michael. He roared and rushed to Yuanchu Palace.
Everything happened in a flash. The cultivators of the Heavenly Realm faction in Yuanchu Palace did not even have time to react.
‘What happened?’
As soon as they saw Zhang Ruochen coming, their blood froze. They wanted to fly away immediately.
“Spare my life!”
Akash begged for mercy.
“Die!”
Before he could finish, Zhang Ruochen’s divine sword had already cut off Akash’s head.
Zhang Ruochen’s extreme murderous aura entered Akash’s body and quickly destroyed his lifeforce and Saint Soul.
“I’m the descendant of Navagraha. How can—”
Akash’s consciousness died away. He was filled with resentment.
“Navagraha doesn’t have a descendant like you.”
Zhang Ruochen smashed Akash’s head into pieces with his palm. He was annoyed by just looking at Akash’s face.
The five leaders of Heavenly Realm faction were scared out of their wits. They quickly took back the five Regal Artifact that they were using to restrain Sacred Confucian Tome and shifted their target to Zhang Ruochen instead.
Zhang Ruochen held two swords with both hands. Ancient Abyssal Blade and Blood Dripper revolved endlessly. The five Regal Artifacts were all broken into pieces of scrap metal.
He walked step by step.
He launched a sword strike every time he took a step.
By the time Zhang Ruochen arrived in front of the Nine-heavens Maiden after taking five steps forward, all the five leaders of the Heavenly Realm faction were cut in half. Their bodies were still flying in the air.
THUD! THUD!
It was not until Zhang Ruochen helped the Nine-heavens Maiden to her feet that the five corpses fell to the ground one after another. The five bloody bodies scattering on the patterned floor in the palace was a terrible sight to see.
“Heal well. Leave the rest to me. Don’t worry. I’ll kill them all.” Zhang Ruochen patted the Nine-heavens Maiden’s hands filled with cracks and injected the Spring of Life into her.