Chapter 2262: Avīci Pavilion
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After long contemplation, a bitter smile appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s face. He said, “Ever since I was born, I have never been able to make a choice in anything I do.
“Can I choose not to partic.i.p.ate in the Celestial-Hunting Festival? No.”
“WarG.o.d Bloodximius has pledged the entire Bloodsky Clan to me. If I retreat, he will lose everything.
“Yan Wushen asked Chi Kunlun to write a letter of challenge and invited me to the Celestial-Hunting Banquet. If I cower, I will be a father in vain.
“As for myself, I have enemies all over Celestial Court and Celestial Court. If I lose my value, I will die in an instant.
“Other cultivators partic.i.p.ate in the Celestial-Hunting Banquet to fight for benefits. But I am going to prove my value. I am going to fight for a way out, the only way out.”
“The deities wanted me to be a blade to ‘sharpen’ the cultivators of this generation in Infernal Court. The Celestial-Hunting Banquet was to test my loyalty and ability. If I couldn’t prove these two points, I would lose my value.
“Mother and WarG.o.d Bloodximius might be able to save my life, but I will have to hide under their wings for the rest of my life. I won’t be able to leave the Xue Jue family’s territory. This way, I will never be able to become a G.o.d in my life. I will be humiliated, I will feel resentful, weak, and decadent. What a cowardly life that is. Millions of years later, the only thing that can still prove that I once lived in this world was just a skeleton buried under the soil.
“Empress, do you think I don’t have the resolution to partic.i.p.ate in the Celestial-Hunting Festival? Do you think I will be merciful during the hunt? No. It’s impossible. I am left with no choice. My fate doesn’t give me the right to choose.
“I can either move forward resolutely and kill my way out of the darkness, or I can only give up cowardly and hide in the protection of others. If I choose the latter, I will end up spending my entire life trembling in fear and not achieving anything. Of course, the third way is that I can die today, and that will put an end to this.
“I don’t want to hide, nor do I want to escape. That’s why I choose the former. The deities want me to be a ‘blade’. Then I will work hard to prove myself and become a sharp one.
“However, I will decide who to kill. I must join the Celestial-Hunting Festival, even if I have to die.
“In the future, when this blade is sharp enough, even the deities will perish by it.”
“The G.o.ds’ blade” was Luo Sha’s subtle way of describing his role in Infernal Court when they talked previously.
Zhang Ruochen had already seen through everything.
Hanakage Keizen stared at Zhang Ruochen. In his eyes, she saw an unprecedented resolution, as if nothing could shake his will.
Then Zhang Ruochen said, “I have a question. I am puzzled. Can rescuing Grand Supreme Array Master really turn the tide for Kunlun?”
Hanakage Keizen said, “If he is still alive, that outcome is inevitable. My grandfather has deep feelings for Kunlun. They are filled with the most sincere love. Even if he has to sacrifice his life, he will protect everything there.
“With his ability, if he returns to Kunlun, unless Infernal Court launches an all-out War, there is nothing they can do against him.
“However, once Infernal Court launches an all-out War, Celestial Court will certainly take action. A war that is not inferior to the war of G.o.ds at the end of the Middle Ages will break out.”
“Do you think Infernal Court will launch an all-out war for the current Kunlun?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head gently. “No.”
Kunlun could not afford an all-out war. Infernal Court could not afford it either. No one wanted another war of G.o.ds to break out because half of the deities could perish.
100,000 years ago, Infernal Court had tried to destroy Kunlun partly because Infernal Court was forced to. Another reason was that it wanted to get rid of a threat.
100,000 years later, even if Lord of Nephilim Island returned to Kunlun, he would not be a threat to Infernal Court. There was no need to launch an all-out war.
Why didn’t Infernal Court destroy Blackdemon Realm, Tianchu Civilization, and Greater Demonic Realm even though it was a piece of cake for them?
It was not they did not want to. These Macroworlds had no value to be destroyed, or the price to destroy them was too high. And of course, the main reason was that these Macroworlds were backed by Celestial Court.
Hanakage Keizen said, “If all-out war breaks out in Infernal Court, Celestial Court will definitely partic.i.p.ate. If an all-out war doesn’t break out, they won’t be able to do anything to grandfather. Think about it. If a Grand Supreme Array Master hides in the starry sky where Kunlun is located, basically all Supreme Saints sent by Infernal Court to the battlefield of merits will end up dead.
“If a G.o.d gets close to that starry sky, they might also die silently.”
“Infernal Court will be in a dilemma,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Once a Grand Supreme Array Master returned to Kunlun, it would be 100 times more difficult for Infernal Court to destroy Kunlun. Even if they could destroy Kunlun, the price they had to pay was far less than the spoils of war.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Let’s say if I win first place in the Celestial-Hunting Festival and get 0.3 percent of the Canon of Destiny and a Destiny Token, how can I explain it to the Fane of Destiny and WarG.o.d Bloodximius after handing the Canon and token to you?”
“You don’t need to give them to me. I just need to study them for a while, and then I can refine a new Destiny Token.
“The Canon of Destiny is used to help refine the Destiny Token. Other than that, it doesn’t have much value to me,” Hanakage Keizen said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly and said, “What benefits can I get from this deal?”
From the beginning, Hanakage Keizen had told Zhang Ruochen directly that she saved Lord of Nephilim Island for herself first, and Kunlun was only her second priority.
In this case, it was a private deal.
Both Hanakage Keizen and Zhang Ruochen had something in mind for Kunlun. However, they prioritized themselves and the people around them.
Kunlun was important, but it could only be second.
Take care of others only when you had the resources.
If Hanakage Keizen had told Zhang Ruochen the idea of saving Kunlun from the very beginning, Zhang Ruochen would have helped her, but if he found out that her words and deeds were not the same, he would be very disappointed.
Hanakage Keizen did not do that. She only told Zhang Ruochen her true thoughts, which made Zhang Ruochen admire her personality.
He was willing to strike this deal with her.
Hanakage Keizen said, “I have thirty percent of the Time Canon because I inherited part of it from the land where Saint Monk Xumi rests in peace.
“If you help me, I’ll help you find that land.
“In addition, I can give you an Avīci token.”
“Avīci token?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Hanakage Keizen asked, “Have you heard of Avīci Pavilion?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head gently.
“You haven’t been to Infernal Court for long. It’s normal that you don’t know about Avīci Pavilion.” Hanakage Keizen continued, “Avīci Pavilion is an organization that I established in Infernal Court in order to save my grandfather.
“After 100,000 years of development, this organization has infiltrated the ten clans of Infernal Court and the Fane of Destiny.
“I am Avīci Pavilion’s leader. I am also one of the top deities on the list that the Fane of Destiny wants to eliminate.
“I’ve only given out two Avīci tokens. I gave them to those whom I owe a huge favor. Your token is the third one.
“Come to see me with the Avīci token. I can promise to do one thing for you to repay the favor.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Anything? What if I want you to kill a G.o.d for me?”
“Yes, of course. Anything as long as it’s within my ability.”
There was no doubt that Hanakage Keizen did not like to owe favors, so this deal was obviously more advantageous to Zhang Ruochen.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen was also taking a risk. Once the deities of Infernal Court found out that he was in contact with the leader of Avīci Pavilion, the consequences would be quite serious.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I’d like to know how many Kunlun cultivators have joined Avīci Pavilion in the past 100,000 years and become part of the rescue plan? Is my father one of them?”
Hanakage Keizen was silent and did not say a word.
However, Zhang Ruochen already understood everything. His eyes sharpened and he asked, “Where is he?”
“Both of you will meet if he wants to see you,” Hanakage Keizen said.
Zhang Ruochen’s emotions fluctuated violently. The Yang Qi in his body became hard to suppress. His eyes turned blood red.
Hanakage Keizen stood quietly on the side, “You have to learn to control your emotions,” she said, “I was once as angry as you and filled with hostility toward this world.
“However, after 100,000 years, I have finally seen through everything. There are very few things that can stir up my emotions.”
Zhang Ruochen’s pupils returned to black. “Empress, have you ever been in love?” he asked gloomily.
Hanakage Keizen did not answer him. She did not know how to answer.
Zhang Ruochen seemed to be talking to himself. He continued, “I used to have a beloved father, a woman I loved, and close friends. I loved everything in the world.
“However, there was a force that forcefully erased the love in my heart. It made me lose everything. It wanted me to hate the world.
“However, hatred is a very painful thing. It’s like standing in a dark abyss, unable to see the light.”
Hanakage Keizen could feel the pain in Zhang Ruochen’s heart. She said, “I will tell him your words.”
“Thank you,” Zhang Ruochen said.
After a long time, they returned to the main topic of the Celestial-Hunting Festival.
Hanakage Keizen said, “You have many powerful. enemies. It’s very difficult to take the first place in the Celestial-Hunting Festival. Avīci Pavilion can help you eliminate the most powerful ones. For example, Lan Yin from the Fane of Barasingha and Wu Jiang from the Fane of Darkness.”
“No need.”
Zhang Ruochen recovered completely and said, “If we do that, it will look suspicious. The deities of Infernal Court will definitely guess that I have a partners.h.i.+p with Avīci Pavilion. I will take down the Celestial-Hunting Festival on my own.”
“That’s right. You have the guts. In that case, I’ll respect your decision. Before I leave, I’ll give you another gift.”
After saying this, Hanakage Keizen’s body dissipated. When it condensed again, it had turned into a sword.
Whoosh
The sword flew out and hit Divine Sky-connecting Tree’s trunk. It turned into a sword-shaped Canon mark.
Zhang Ruochen stood alone at the edge of the cliff formed by the G.o.d’s corpse for a long time.
“The Swordwill of Sword G.o.d Feng Chen is left here. Other deities might not be able to sense what’s happening here.
“However, Sword G.o.d Feng Chen could sense it. Why does the Empress of Thousand Bones dare to meet me here?
“Is Sword G.o.d Feng Chen also a member of Avīci Pavilion?”
Zhang Ruochen was in deep thought for a long time. Suddenly, Pan Ruo flew up from the bottom of the cliff.
“I have already achieved my purpose of meeting you. It’s time to leave,” she said.
Zhang Ruochen stared at her pair of bright and cold eyes and said, “Is there nothing else you want to say to me? The deities of Infernal Court can’t sense it here.”
“What else is there to say between us? We no longer walk the same path. It’s better that we go separate ways.” Pan Ruo avoided Zhang Ruochen’s gaze and said emotionlessly.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I’ve been to Death’s Door and Destiny Pool.”
Pan Ruo’s delicate body trembled slightly. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her eyes were sad and tender. “Whose destiny did you see in the pool?”
Zhang Ruochen did not say anything. In his mind, a graceful and majestic figure flashed past.
“It really wasn’t me. Since it wasn’t me, there’s nothing more to talk about between us. Take care of yourself from now on. Supreme Saint Ruochen, farewell.”
Pan Ruo turned around. She did not want Zhang Ruochen to see her expression. She turned into a beam of light pa.s.sing through the clouds formed by the Divine Soul Fog. She flew out of the bronze coffin and left Vastsea Manor Manor quickly.
When she left, her heart was still in great pain.
Destiny Pool represented the ultimate Destiny of the person one cared about the most.
If she was the person Zhang Ruochen cared about the most, he would have said it. Since he did not say it, there was no need to ask.
In her mind, she kept asking. If Zhang Ruochen had said that the person he saw in Destiny Pool was her, would she throw herself into his arms and cry to her heart’s content, telling him about the pain and sorrow he had been through in the past years?
If Zhang Ruochen could hug her, forgive her for what she did in the past, and gently caress her hair and face, how happy would that be?
Unfortunately, no.
“Destiny Pool, why do you have to reflect people’s feelings so clearly?”
When she walked out of Vastsea Manor, Pan Ruo’s emotions were completely restrained. She became cold and n.o.ble again, without a trace of abnormality.
Supreme Saint Yuan Fei, Scion Yuan Mo, and Lord Sinluo went up to welcome her.
Scion Yuan Mo asked, “Are the Fugue Pills in Zhang Ruochen’s hands?”
“Yes,” Pan Ruo answered.
Supreme Saint Yuan Fei asked, “Is he willing to sell them?”
Pan Ruo shook her head slightly and said, “No.”
Lord Sinluo snorted. “I’ve already said that Zhang Ruochen would never sell it. Why waste time on him?
“I have good news. Wu Jiang has found a Theophany Berry, which can also help to break the shackles. Its medicinal power can reach one-fifth of a Fugue Pill.”
…
Zhang Ruochen flew out of the bronze coffin with mixed feelings because he saw something different in Pan Ruo’s eyes.
When she left, her disappointed and desperate eyes touched Zhang Ruochen’s heart. If it was before, he would have chased after her, pulled her back, and hugged her tightly.
But this time, he seemed to be cold-hearted. He just stood there indifferently.
“Is everything between us really over?
“Destiny Pool, why do you want people to see the fate of others?
“What kind of person am I? Amorous or heartless?”
Zhang Ruochen was confused. The Yang Qi in his body was acting up, making it difficult for him to keep his thoughts clear and calm. There was a trace of demonic power in his eyes. He pointed at Lian Xi who was practicing under Sundial. “Follow me.” His voice was full of authority.
He walked into Sevenstar Imperial Palace with his hands behind his back. He could not shake the look in Pan Ruo’s eyes when she was leaving off his mind. It even gave him the illusion that Lian Xi behind him was Pan Ruo.
He knew that the devil inside him re-emerged, but he did not want to suppress his l.u.s.t this time.
He walked into the inner chamber with Lian Xi..