Chapter 2278: A Duel
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The battle for the seating ended quickly.
As expected, the ten seats of honor were occupied by the Hundred-Shackle Realm Supreme Saints who were ranked in the top ten on the list of those who attained the Great Perfection stage. The only variable was that Lord Xia Yu claimed the seat that should have belonged to Xu.
However, that was only with Zhang Ruochen’s help.
From this, it could be seen that the ranking created by the Realm of Star Ocean was accurate. The top 10 elites were obviously stronger than the Supreme Saints who attained the Great Perfection stage of the Hundred-Shackle Realm.
Zhang Ruochen sat at the top of the main seat by Destiny’s Creek. In front of him was a jade table.
There was a bony tripod cup and a jade plate on the table.
In front of him was a a large tributary of Destiny’s Creek which was was 30 meters wide. The water current was rapid, and the fog was hazy. Zhang Ruochen was surprised to find that the cultivator sitting across from him was Lord Sinluo across the fog.
At that moment, Lord Sinluo was staring at Zhang Ruochen with extreme coldness.
Zhang Ruochen ignored Lord Sinluo and looked at the flowing Destiny’s Creek. He fills up the bony tripod cup from the creek via a portal.
Destiny’s Creek flowed from Mount Destiny. It was like blood-red amber and more fragrant than the holy spring. It was one of the most mystical and precious drinks in the entire universe. In the outside world, no amount of saint stones could buy it.
Zhang Ruochen drank it in one cup and felt it carefully.
The creek water was cool and sweet. It was instantly digested when it entered the stomach. It scattered like silk all over the body, fusing with the blood, bones, Saint Soul, and Spirit.
When Zhang Ruochen passed through the Gate of Destiny, 600 Precepts of Destiny appeared in his sea of Qi and Heavenly Stream.
At that moment, 10 more Precepts of Destiny appeared after drinking one cup of the creek.
Of course, the hundreds of Precepts of Destiny were negligible compared to the cultivators who had comprehended the Path of Destiny since they were young, not to mention condensing the Gate of Destiny.
The water of Destiny’s Creek can purify the physique, Saint Soul, Spirit and also benefit the cultivators who cultivate the Path of Destiny,’ Zhang Ruochen thought.
The Celestial-Hunting Festival was to nurture the most top-notch power for the future of the Infernal Court.
Those highly talented cultivators in the Celestial Court had to cultivate the Path of Truth. Whereas those in the Infernal Court had to cultivate the Path of Destiny.
It could be said that almost every one of the 10,000 cultivators from the ten clans who attended the festival had cultivated the Path of Destiny and reached a very high level.
Otherwise, when cultivators of the same realm in the Celestial Court displayed the Path of Truth, their attack power would instantly increase several times. The cultivators of the Path of Destiny wouldn’t be able to withstand it at all.
Of course, mastering the Path of Truth or the Path of Destiny didn’t necessarily mean that they were invincible.
This was because it would take a very long time to integrate the Path of Truth and the Path of Destiny into one’s own saint techniques.
The power was strong, but the outburst was slow.
Many times, when you meet an evenly matched opponent, you might not have the time to mobilize the Path of Truth or the Path of Destiny. Only by cultivating the Realm-frame of Truth and the Gate of Destiny could you shorten the time to fuse them and gain a greater advantage.
Of course, even if you had the Realm-frame of Truth and the Gate of Destiny, it would still take a long time. As long as the opponent was fast enough, they could suppress you, you wouldn’t have time to unleash the power of the Path of Truth and the Path of Destiny.
The other seven Path of the Ancients could restrain them to a certain extent.
Path of Dimension could tear apart the Realm-frame of Truth and the Gate of Destiny.
Path of Time could prevent you from using the Realm-frame of Truth and the Gate of Destiny.
Path of Darkness could devour the Realm-frame of Truth and the Gate of Destiny.
…
Apart from the Path of the Ancients, if the Path of Flowing Light of the 72 Paths of Supreme Saint was cultivated to a profound level, it would be able to suppress them even if it was fast enough.
This was why no path could be absolute.
If one cultivated the Path of Dimension to the infinite level and the Path of Time to the eternal level, even the Path of Destiny and the Path of Oblivion wouldn’t be able to shake them. Even the most powerful god wouldn’t be able to reach such an extreme level.
Therefore, the strength of a cultivator depended on their realm attained.
As long as a Master of Darkness who cultivated the Path of Darkness to an intermediate level, he could easily slay the cultivators who cultivated the Path of Destiny and the Path of Truth in the same realm.
Whoosh
Along the creek, a Stone Clan cultivator at the Saint King realm drank a large amount of water from the creek. Specks of light appeared behind him and condensed into a gate of light. They turned into a Gate of Destiny gradually.
“I’ve succeeded! I’ve finally condensed the Gate of Destiny. Haha, My battle strength will once again increase by a large margin. As expected of the Destiny’s Creek—the spring of foundation of the Fane of Destiny,” The Stone Clan cultivator laughed loudly.
All the cultivators were agitated after that. They absorbed the water at a faster speed.
The water could only be drunk at the Celestial-Hunting Festival. It couldn’t be taken away.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Lian Xi beside him.
Although Lian Xi’s expression was calm, there was still a hint of interest and curiosity in her eyes. She would look at Destiny’s Creek from time to time. However, she was only a maid and was not qualified to take the initiative to drink from the creek.
Zhang Ruochen waved to her and said, “Come here.”
Lian Xi looked up at the divine mirror in the sky. In the end, she walked over helplessly.
Lian Xi knew that her every move must be watched by countless cultivators of the Celestial Court. However, with her current status, she had to bow to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen threw the bony tripod cup to Lian Xi and said, “Go fill the cup with creek water and feed me.”
Lian Xi took the bony tripod cup and stared at him coldly. She didn’t do as he said.
This was too much.
If it was in the Sevenstar Imperial Palace, Lian Xi would just obey, but this was the Celestial-Hunting Festival.
At that moment, many cultivators of the Infernal Court at the festival noticed what took place. They smiled playfully and stared at Zhang Ruochen.
“Zhang Ruochen really knows how to enjoy himself. He actually asked Fairy Shadowless to feed him at the Celestial-Hunting Festival. Isn’t he afraid of being attacked by the cultivators of the Celestial Court?”
“There are countless admirers of Fairy Shadowless in the Celestial Court. Zhang Ruochen is truly fearless.”
“The god of the Soul Realm must be watching the Celestial-Hunting Festival. I wonder if he’ll be so angry that blood will spurt out of his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth? Haha!”
…
Luo Sha felt that Zhang Ruochen was behaving abnormally. She believed that there was a reason for his action.
Was Zhang Ruochen forcing Lian Xi to completely submit to him and never return to Celestial Court?
Or was Zhang Ruochen trying to tell the gods of the Infernal Court that he had completely regarded himself as a member of the Infernal Court and didn’t care what the Celestial Court thought of him?
Or was it just an act of revenge?
“Is this guy really not planning to return to the Celestial Court?” Luo Sha frowned and wondered. She always felt that Zhang Ruochen was staying in the Infernal Court for another reason and didn’t join them wholeheartedly.
Zhang Ruochen saw Lian Xi did not move and only glared at him angrily. His face turned cold and said calmly, “As a servant girl, you actually disobeyed your master. How dare you, Lian Xi. Kneel!”
“A Supreme Saint must not be humiliated,” Lian Xi said defiantly.
In fact, Lian Xi felt extremely wronged and wanted to die. However, every time she thought of dying, Zhang Ruochen’s words would ring in her mind, ‘Those with a divine heart will never be defeated.’
Sometimes, Lian Xi wondered if Zhang Ruochen had said this to her on purpose to prevent her from committing suicide.
“It seems that I have spoiled you too much in the past. I haven’t taught you enough,” said Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen pointed at Lian Xi. Suddenly, a vigorous Power of Dimension pressed down on her slender body, making her tremble.
Lian Xi resisted for a moment, then her slender legs knelt down.
Lian Xi couldn’t resist at all!
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes were cold and emotionless the whole time.
The entire Destiny’s Creek was filled with noise.
“Zhang Ruochen is deliberately provoking the Celestial Court and the Soul Realm. Hehe, who knows how many cultivators will be angered.”
“Who said that Zhang Ruochen is a spy sent by the Celestial Court to the Infernal Court? Based on what he did today, he would definitely die when he returned. Would the god of the Soul Realm let him go? Couldn’t the magnates of the Celestial Court see that he was deliberately humiliating the Celestial Court? Even Moon Goddess couldn’t protect him.”
“In my opinion, Zhang Ruochen is trying to prove himself and telling the gods of the Infernal Court of his determination. Otherwise, he would never be able to enter the core level of the Infernal Court. Back then, the Great God Huang Tian wasn’t as smart as Zhang Ruochen. So, no matter how talented Great God Huang Tian was, even when he ascended to godhood, he was always ostracized and marginalized. It wasn’t until he killed his master, Ancient Buddha Yuan Xu, that he proved himself.”
…
There was no lack of genius present who thought they had seen through Zhang Ruochen’s intentions. They were all speaking with confidence.
Yan Wushen sat in the highest seat of another large branch. He stared at Zhang Ruochen from afar. Yan Wushen smiled, he picked up the tripod cup and took another sip.
Yan Wushen had long guessed that Zhang Ruochen would definitely perform well at the Celestial-Hunting Festival and prove himself to the gods.
However, Yan Wushen did not expect that Zhang Ruochen would destroy his own reputation by doing such a despicable thing.
If Zhang Ruochen bullied a woman, he would definitely be despised by all the cultivators of the Celestial Court, including his former friends.
Although it’s despicable, being a despised scum is more reassuring to the gods. A bad move, a really bad move.’ Yan Wushen thought. He shook his head slightly, but thinking about it carefully, he felt that there was no other way for Zhang Ruochen other than self-destruction.
It was too difficult to deceive the gods.
But by self-destruction, even if the gods in the Infernal Court knew that Zhang Ruochen did it on purpose, they could still accept him. Because he couldn’t go back, there was no place for him in Celestial Court. He could only stay in the Infernal Court from now on.
Lord Sinluo sitting across from Zhang Ruochen sighed and said, “Fairy Shadowless, how come you met such a master who doesn’t know how to take care of women? Why don’t you join me? I won’t make you my slave.”
Lian Xi stared at Lord Sinluo sitting across from the creek. She didn’t say a word. She just silently endured Zhang Ruochen’s suppression.
Zhang Ruochen stared coldly at Lord Sinluo and said, “You want to steal my servant? Do you have a death wish?”
Lord Sinluo’s eyes were even colder, but he quickly retracted them. He smiled and said, “Supreme Saint Ruochen, you are so mighty. I wouldn’t dare steal from you. However, there is an interesting segment at the Celestial-Hunting Festival called the duel.”
“Duel?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Lord Sinluo said, “To us, the Ampliofruit is the most precious treasure at the Celestial-Hunting Festival.
“But the Ampliofruit is too precious. Each Supreme Saint can only get one. What can we do if we want to eat more? We can only duel and win other people’s Ampliofruits.
“If you win, you get the prize. If you lose, you have to give the prize.
“The prize is the Ampliofruit.
“What I knew was, in the previous Celestial-Hunting Festival, there was a Supreme Saint who won eight Ampliofruits and enjoyed nine alone. He instantly increased his Precepts by 900 million and his lifespan by 27,000 years.
“There was also a Saint King cultivator who won four Altofruits and enjoyed five alone. He instantly cultivated five types of Path to the Great Perfection stage.
“This is the joy of the festival. I wonder if Supreme Saint Ruochen is willing to duel with me?”
Be it the Ampliofruit or the Altofruit, they were both the main dishes of the Celestial-Hunting Festival. They were many times more precious than the water from Destiny’s creek.
The Ampliofruit could instantly increase the Precepts by 100 million. It could also increase a cultivator’s lifespan by 3,000 years. It could help a cultivator cultivate high-level saint techniques at the fastest speed.
It was a treasure that all Supreme Saints below the Thousand-Koan Realm dreamed of.
Because it was precious enough, no Supreme Saint dared to take it out for a duel. If they lost, even a Supreme Saint would probably cry.
Lady Wind’s voice rang in Zhang Ruochen’s ears. “Don’t fight with him. Be careful. Normally, the duel at the Celestial-Hunting Festival is between the weak and the strong.
“First, it’s to win the Ampliofruit. Second, it’s to become famous by stepping on the strong.
“Lord Sinluo’s cultivation is far higher than yours, but he’s fighting with you. He’s bullying you because you don’t know the rules of the duel. If you’re impulsive, you’ll play right into his hands.
“You have to know that the rules of duel are proposed by the challenger. It doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be chess, painting, the challenge of speed, or sword moves…
“Once you agree with him, he will definitely use what he is best at to fight with you.
“So, among 10,000 cultivators at the Celestial-Hunting Festival who will agree to duel can be counted with one hand.
“The Supreme Saint who won eight matches is now the world-shaking Sword God Feng Chen. He is a miracle-like existence. He is known as the most perfect cultivator in the last millennium. He has no shortcomings and is the strongest in every aspect. He can learn anything as soon as he learns it.”
As Zhang Ruochen listened to Lady Wind’s voice, Lord Sinluo spoke again. He teased, “Are you afraid, Supreme Saint Ruochen? Don’t worry, I don’t want your Ampliofruit. If you lose, just give me Fairy Shadowless.”
“So you like her,” said Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen lifted Liax Xi’s snow-white chin with his finger. Then he stared at her jade-white face and said, “Okay, I agree to duel with you.”
Lord Sinluo was overjoyed.
But fear appeared in Lian Xi’s eyes.
It was not easy to stay by Zhang Ruochen’s side, but it was obvious that it would be even worse to fall into the hands of Lord Sinluo. Was this her fate?
She was angry and desperate.
She was angry that Zhang Ruochen was too heartless.
She was desperate that if Lord Sinluo really won over her, she felt that she would not be able to hold on and would choose to end her own life. What indomitable spirit? What is the heart of becoming a god? Zhang Ruochen was deliberately scheming against her.
The Celestial-Hunting Festival was heating up once more. All the cultivators were excited and ready to watch a good show.
Zhang Ruochen changed the topic and said, “But what’s the point of only betting on one Ampliofruit? If you want to bet, I’ll bet three with you.”
“If Fairy Shadowless is a virgin, it doesn’t matter. But she’s already your woman. How can she be worth three Ampliofruits?” Lord Sinluo laughed mockingly.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Of course, she’s only worth one Ampliofruit. But I still have one.”
“There are only two,” Lord Sinluo said.
Zhang Ruochen looked down and locked onto Xue Tu. He pointed and said, “Xue Tu is my junior brother apprentice. He’ll help me with one.”
Xue Tu had been watching the show. He thought that Zhang Ruochen would definitely suffer at the hands of Lord Sinluo. He laughed inwardly.
He had been tricked by Zhang Ruochen many times. He really wanted to see how Zhang Ruochen would be tricked as well.
Xue Tu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His face lost all color.. It really was a disaster from heaven.