Chapter 2236: Sevenstar Imperial Palace
Supreme Saint Yi Xuan with silver hair was nearly three meters tall. His presence gave off a domineering aura.
“He stood beside Zhang Ruochen and looked into the sky full of blood Qi and said, ” Celestial Court and Infernal Court have been fighting for so many years, and Infernal Court has always been at an absolute advantage. That’s why
the mentality of the creatures on both sides was very different.”
“The various Macroworlds of Celestial Court always keep low profiles and place their hopes on slowly surpa.s.sing Infernal Court. It is precisely the att.i.tude of concealing one’s talents that allowed them —from G.o.ds to mortals — to keep a low profile and stay hidden deliberately.
“But Infernal Court has always been the most powerful one. So, why should we keep a low profile? Why should we conceal our strength? By displaying absolute strength to opponents, we could psychologically crush their fighting spirit, ”
At this point, Supreme Saint Yi Xuan revealed a profound smile and said, “On Battlefield of Merit, you rarely see cultivators of Celestial Court initiate large-scale battles against Infernal Court, right?
“They either pa.s.sively defend their territory or achieve certain results on small-scale battles. Over the past 100,000 years, the mortal worlds under them have either been destroyed or turned into the territories of Infernal Court. These territories are to provide the ten clans’ blood, mounts, women, slaves, and mineral resources… How sad.”
Zhang Ruochen had to admit that what Supreme Saint Yi Xuan said made sense.
In the so-called Battles of Merit, Celestial Court had lost psychologically to Infernal Court.
Just like what they felt when the next Battlefield of Merits had been decided back then following Zuling as the battlefield,
the cultivators of Guanghan, Tianmu Realm, Greater Demonic Realm felt that once their Macroworlds were chosen, their homelands would definitely be destroyed.
This was a mentality of certain defeat.
They had lost for 100,000 years.
How many cultivators in the various realms of Celestial Court still had the belief of victory in their hearts?
Every cultivator in Infernal Court had it.
Supreme Saint Yi Xuan laughed loudly, “Of course, you are an exception. You caused Infernal Court to suffer several great losses on Battlefield of Merit in Kunlun. Do you know how badly your ma.s.sacres destroyed the belief of cultivators in Infernal Court?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled but did not say anything.
“If you continue to stay in Battlefield of Merits in Kunlun, I suspect that many cultivators of Infernal Court will think of escaping from that battlefield,” said Supreme Saint Yi Xuan.
Zhang Ruochen knew very well that the true purpose of Supreme Saint Yi Xuan’s words was to tell him that it was a wise decision to come to Infernal Curt and that there was no future for Celestial Court.
However, Zhang Ruochen was determined. How could he get influenced with just a few words?
No matter how strong and good Infernal Court was, it still represented destruction and death. If all the Macroworlds of Celestial Court were destroyed, how long would Infernal Court last?
The next step would probably be the war of extermination between the ten clans of Infernal Court.
In the end, Celestial Court and Infernal Court would definitely be over and done with. There would be no more living beings or dead souls.
Without life, how could there be Death?
Zhang Ruochen did not continue to think about these grand issues. He stood at the edge of the deck of a Ten-winged Saint s.h.i.+p and stared at Saint Vessels around him. “I see that Lord Xia Yu and Gu Chenzi are very high-profile. One rides Blue Phoenix at Beast Emperor level and the other drives the Silver Dragon Beast Emperor to pull the carriage. As one of the Three Top Elites of Bloodsky Clan, why did you travel with a group of Saint Kings without a mount or a chariot?”
Supreme Saint Yi Xuan scratched his silver hair and felt a headache coming on. He said, “It was all because of the seventh son of Ghost Master, Xu,”
Ghost Master and WarG.o.d Bloodximius had a deep grudge. In this Celestial-Hunting Festival, they would definitely target Bloodsky clan.
Since he had promised Blood Empress and Sword Saint Xuanji to win Celestial-Hunting Festival, Zhang Ruochen wanted to know more about the matter of Ghost Master.
Thus, he asked, “What happened? I remember that Lord Zhiyuan said that Xu seemed to have robbed a unexplored region discovered by Bloodsky clan before ?”
Supreme Saint Yi Xuan’s state of mind was completely destroyed, he said angrily, “Spring of Chaos that was born in that unexplored region should have been mine. However, at the most critical moment, he ambushed me and severely injured me. Not only did he take away Spring of Chaos, but he also took away all the treasures on me.
“If I didn’t have a treasure to protect me, I would have died under his ambush. I will never forget this hatred, this humiliation.
“However, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d has obtained Spring of Chaos. Hence, his cultivation has far surpa.s.sed mine. He would be a great enemy of Bloodsky Clan this Celestial-Hunting Festival,”
After Supreme Saint Yi Xuan left, Zhang Ruochen heard Supreme Saint Qingsheng’s message. He quickly walked into Saint Vessel and came to a brightly lit hall.
Not only Supreme Saint Qingsheng, but Xue Chen and Xue Ningxiao were also there.
Supreme Saint Qingsheng’s expression was solemn. “I just received news that Asurendra Samay has joined Asura’s second-ranked Fane of Barasingha. We gained another powerful enemy in this Celestial-Hunting Festival,”
“Is that why you asked me to come here?”
Zhang Ruochen had long considered everything and was not afraid of any challenge. He was a sworn enemy with Asurendra Samay.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen was unperturbed, Supreme Saint Qingsheng nodded with satisfaction. “There’s another thing. You are the leader of this Celestial-Hunting Festival. So, you don’t just represent yourself, but the entire Bloodsky clan. Therefore, you must be highbrow and aggressive.
“Before leaving, WarG.o.d Bloodximius gave me a treasure and asked me to give it to you.”
Xue Ningxiao’s eyes lit up. She was envious. The treasure WarG.o.d Bloodximius gave was definitely not ordinary.
An exquisite palace the size of a palm appeared in Supreme Saint Qingsheng’s palm. He handed it to Zhang Ruochen.
“This is?”
Zhang Ruochen took the exquisite palace. Suddenly, a force heavier than a mountain pressed down on his palm and made his arm shake slightly.
“Sevenstar Imperial Palace,” Supreme Saint Qingsheng said.
Xue Ningxiao cried out, “What? It’s Sevenstar Imperial Palace!”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t know what was special about Sevenstar Imperial Palace, but he could clearly feel that it contained the aura of WarG.o.d Bloodximius. Moreover, the aura was very strong.
Supreme Saint Qingsheng gave Xue Ningxiao a look.
Xue Ningxiao understood and explained to Zhang Ruochen, “Sevenstar Imperial Palace is a palace that WarG.o.d Bloodximius refined for himself when he was a Supreme Saint. It’s like a huge treasure that he poured his meticulous care into. After so many years of nurturing, Sevenstar Imperial Palace is probably not far from becoming a Fane.”
Xue Chen’s eyes were filled with deep envy. He thought to himself, “WarG.o.d Bloodximius bestowed Sevenstar Imperial Palace to Zhang Ruochen. Has he decided to nurture him as the future master?”
The significance of Sevenstar Imperial Palace was too extraordinary.
Supreme Saint Qingsheng said, “Sevenstar Imperial Palace was where WarG.o.d Bloodximius once lived and cultivated. Every object inside has been nurtured into a Supreme Saint ancient weapon or a G.o.d-relic.
“It has an excellent cultivation environment and some cultivation experience left behind by WarG.o.d Bloodximius.
“Of course, the most practical benefit for you right now is the defense of Sevenstar Imperial Palace. With your current cultivation and the power of Palace Guardian, you can fully activate the Palace. Even a Supreme Saint with cultivation rank of Bans.h.i.+ Isshou Realm cannot break the defense in a short time,”
Zhang Ruochen stared at Sevenstar Imperial Palace in his hand with a look of surprise.
Such a treasure was what he needed more than a Divine Artifact.
Supreme Saint Qingsheng said again, “During Celestial-Hunting Festival, you will enter Sevenstar Imperial Palace and be carried by 18 Six-Tribulation Ghost Lords. The momentum of Bloodsky clan must not be weak.”
Xue Chen was shocked. He finally understood why WarG.o.d Bloodximius had given Sevenstar Imperial Palace to Zhang Ruochen.
This was to announce to the entire Infernal Court that Zhang Ruochen was his successor. If one wanted harm Zhang Ruochen, he had to consider whether he could withstand WarG.o.d Bloodximius’ anger or not.
Of course, the most important thing was Zhang Ruochen’s performance at Celestial-Hunting Festival.
If Zhang Ruochen couldn’t pa.s.s this test — he could not kill the captives from Celestial Court’s Macroworld or failed to heighten Bloodsky clan’s might— he would pay price as heavy as what WarG.o.d Bloodximius had given him.
WarG.o.d Bloodximius was making a big gamble and forcing Zhang Ruochen to make a decision.
With Sevenstar Imperial Palace in his hands, Zhang Ruochen walked out with a heavy heart.
A situation where Xue Chen could get the picture. Wouldn’t Zhang Ruochen, who was ten times smarter than him, understand the case clearly as well?
Zhang Ruochen thought of many things at once. The images of Blood Empress, Sword Saint Xuanji, WarG.o.d Bloodximius, and Chi Kunlun kept appearing in his mind. There were even Chi Yao’s shadows.
It was as if Chi Yao was staring at him with a mocking face saying, “Didn’t you hate Infernal Court the most? How did you become a member of Infernal Court? Zhang Ruochen, your power is insignificant in front of the big picture,”
After a long time, Zhang Ruochen let out a long sigh. “If I don’t go to Infernal Court, who will?”
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen saw a figure flash past in front of him. He immediately stopped thinking and used Great Dimensional s.h.i.+ft to block it.
“Why do you want to hide when you see me?”
Xue Tu, who was blocked by Zhang Ruochen, looked a little upset. He said, “Greetings, Senior.”
“Shouldn’t you return Seamless Purgatory Tower that I lent you?”Zhang Ruochen asked.
“Well…”
Xue Tu smiled awkwardly and said, “Father has taken Seamless Purgatory Tower back. It is no longer in my hands.”
Zhang Ruochen released a huge wave of energy throughout the entire Ten-winged Saint s.h.i.+p. Countless Saint-level cultivators trembled in fear and knelt on the ground.
Although Xue Tu had become a Supreme Saint, he felt suffocated by Zhang Ruochen’s Saint power. Blood force in his body seemed to have solidified.
“I lent you my Supreme Artifact out of kindness, but you took it to honor your father. How dare you attend Celestial-Hunting Festival? How dare you appear in front of me? How dare you laugh?”
Zhang Ruochen’s right hand pressed on Xue Tu’s left shoulder.
Suddenly, a series of bone explosions sounded in Xue Tu’s body. Neverwither Supreme Saint bones in his body seemed to be broken.
‘It was my Supreme Artifact, but you took it away,’…
…Xue Tu didn’t dare to say this.
Zhang Ruochen’s power was too strong. He only put his hand on Xue Tu’s shoulder, but Xue Tu couldn’t move at all. His Neverwither physique seemed to be on the verge of shattering.
“Father wanted to take it away, I-I-I can’t do anything about it,” Xue Tu said.
In fact, it wasn’t Bloodlucius who took Seamless Purgatory Tower. It was Xue Tu who took the initiative to return it.
What a joke. How could he return a Supreme Artifact if he’d tricked Zhang Ruochen into returning it?
No matter how powerful Zhang Ruochen was, would he dare to ask for Seamless Purgatory Tower from Bloodlucius? Would he dare to kill Bloodlucius?
Crack
One of Xue Tu’s shoulder bones shattered, and a large amount of saint blood gushed out of his body.
Crack Crack
Then, another five Neverwither Supreme Saint bones were broken, and half of his body collapsed.
Xue Tu was finally afraid.
Did Zhang Ruochen really not dare to kill him?
Even if he didn’t dare to kill him, he would probably dare to break his Neverwither body and turn him into a Descender who could never ascend to G.o.dhood.
“Senior, I was wrong! Please forgive me this time. Don’t worry, I’ll compensate you. Killing me won’t do you any good,” Xue Tu said in a pleading tone.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Can you afford a Supreme Artifact?”
“I have fiefdoms. I can produce a lot of wealth every year,” Xue Tu said miserably.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “How many fiefdoms?”
“Five planets, three first-cla.s.s Planets of Life, one second-cla.s.s ore planet, and one fourth-cla.s.s Planet of Life,” said Xue Tu.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, “It’s not enough. It’s not worth a Supreme Artifact.”
“I don’t have any other treasures except fiefdoms. Even if I did, you wouldn’t like it.”
When Xue Tu saw Zhang Ruochen, whose expression changed, mobilize more saint power, Xue Tu quickly said, “But-But I will do everything I can to make up for your loss until I pay you back.”
Bang
Zhang Ruochen threw Xue Tu to the ground, his eyes still cold and sharp.
Snap Snap
Xue Tu’s broken Neverwither Supreme Saint bone was quickly reconnected. His body recovered in an instant.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen looked thoughtful. “Will you die if I cut out your heart?”
“Of course not. I’m a Supreme Saint now. My life force is much stronger than when I was in Saint Kinghood. Even if my heart was cut out, it would grow back very quickly. Senior, why are you asking this?” Xue Tu asked curiously.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Why don’t you sell your heart, kidneys, and lungs? The Supreme Saint’s organs should be very valuable and popular. At the very least, you could sell your blood. Saint-level cultivators and Saint Kings from Immortal Vampires must still be eager to drink the saint blood of a Supreme Saint,”
Xue Tu’s face became paler and paler as he listened. He kept stepping back.
Suddenly, he realized that offending Zhang Ruochen was not something that could be easily fooled.
The consequences…
…were very serious.
Zhang Ruochen did not seem to be joking. His expression was serious. He patted Xue Tu’s shoulder seriously, “After we’re back from Forest of No Return, we can discuss the plan to make money. Don’t worry about your saint blood running dry. I will think of a way to keep you alive. At least, I can guarantee that you won’t die.”
“Senior, don’t you think it’s a bad idea? I’m the disciple of TrueG.o.d Xue Qingyin. Doing this will damage her reputation.” Xue Tu held onto his last hope.
“I’ll protect mother’s reputation alone.”
With that, Zhang Ruochen left. Before he did, he reminded Xue Tu again, “I’m warning you. Don’t even think about escaping. If you’re captured by me, I’ll make you wish you were dead.”
Xue Tu was desperate. He suddenly felt that he was the most hopeless Supreme Saint in the history of Immortal Vampires.
Out of anyone he could offend, why did he offend Zhang Ruochen?