Chapter 2246: The Realm of Star Ocean
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Do you know why all the forces in Infernal Court place so much importance on the Celestial-hunting Festival? To gain something from the festival, they even summoned the elites on the battlefield?” Luo Sha asked with a smile.
Zhang Ruochen did think that the importance of the Celestial-hunting Festival was extraordinary. Even the G.o.ds had come out to make arrangements.
This festival seemed to be more important than a Battle of Merits.
However, although the Ampliofruit and Altofruit in the banquet were rare, they were limited in number and did not have much significance.
Even if one was the first place among the ten clans and obtained thirty percent of the Canons of Destiny and the Destiny Tokens, it was still far from reaching the level of the strategic significance of a clan.
Zhang Ruochen had some guesses, but he had not personally asked Supreme Saint Qingsheng and Blood Empress to confirm his guess.
Now that Luo Sha had asked, he pretended not to know and shook his head gently.
Luo Sha said, “As the leader of the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan, you don’t even know this. However, it is also within my expectations that you are unwilling to be the leader. In addition, you would also not waste your energy to understand the deeper meaning behind the Celestial-hunting Festival.”
Just as Luo Sha said, Zhang Ruochen was in a pa.s.sive state on whether to attend the Celestial-hunting Festival or to become the leader.
He accepted the arrangement pa.s.sively.
Zhang Ruochen would not have attended the Celestial-hunting Festival at all if he had not been forced by Infernal Court’s rising forces and also he knew about Sword Saint Xuanji’s scheme.
Until now, he still felt conflicted. He even rejected the Celestial-hunting Festival. He did not have the mentality of fighting for supremacy at the festival.
After all, he had to kill the captives from all the realms in Celestial Court.
Luo Sha said, “Infernal Court is too vast. The ten clans are independent, and they defend against the other nine clans. Everyone is always hiding. Even the G.o.ds find it difficult to accurately a.n.a.lyze the true strength of the ten clans.”
“Holding the Celestial-hunting Festival once every thousand years is an opportunity for the G.o.ds to understand the strength and development of each clan. The rewards at the festival are the least important things.”
Zhang Ruochen asked, “If you want to understand the strength of each clan, why do you choose cultivators under a thousand years old?”
Luo Sha said, “Because cultivators under a thousand years old are the most representative. You can see the future development of the clan through them.
“Just like you, when the G.o.ds heard about a genius like you at the Celestial-hunting Festival, they could roughly predict whether you have the chance to become a G.o.d.
“What are the chances of you becoming a G.o.d?
“How long will it take for you to become a G.o.d?
“What are your potentials in the future?
“Is there any way to increase your chance of becoming a G.o.d? How to polish you? How to guard against you?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “If we want to know the wealth of the ten clans through this method, then the reward must be attractive enough for all the G.o.ds of the clans to fight for it. Only in this way can the Celestial-hunting Festival be meaningful. Otherwise, the clans will still keep their secret hidden.”
Luo Sha nodded and said, “That’s right! So, behind the Celestial-hunting Festival, there is a huge division of interests.”
“Division of interests?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Luo Sha said, “I don’t know the specifics. Only G.o.ds can come into contact with it. I only know that the Celestial-hunting Festival may involve the distribution of resources among the clans, as well as the status of the big forces in the clans.
“Of course, the status is also closely related to the distribution of resources. The higher the status, the more resources will be distributed.
“The strong become stronger and the weak become weaker.
“For example, your b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan is ranked last among the Immortal Vampires, and the clan’s world ranking is at the bottom. The concentration of the blood-red aura in the world is the worst among the top ten clans.
“However, if you lead the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan and get a good ranking at the Celestial-hunting Festival, it will be a great help to the clan’s ranking even if you couldn’t get first place.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “If I can help b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan to get a first place among the ten clans at the Celestial-hunting Festival, will b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan be able to get first place?”
Luo Sha shook her head and said, “Of course not. The ranking and resource distribution of the ten great clans need to refer to many things. The Celestial-hunting Festival only takes a certain proportion.
“If you can lead the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan to become the number one among the Immortal Vampires, you might have a chance to rank number ninth, eighth or seventh. Even though the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan can’t rank number one among the ten great tribes and enjoy the most resources.
“The key to what rank we could reach is to see if your clan’s master has made sufficient arrangements in other aspects. For example, the achievements of the Battlefield of Merits, the number of new G.o.ds ascended, the number of newborn Supreme Saints, the development of barren territory, and so on.”
Zhang Ruochen had a sudden realization. He said, “I understand! The distribution of resources and the internal ranking of each clan need to be evaluated in many aspects. The Celestial-hunting Festival takes up a large proportion.”
“Exactly,” Luo Sha said.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Then, how did the ranking of the ten clans in Infernal Court come about? Why are they divided into the Supreme clan, upper three clans, middle three clans, and lower three clans?”
“I’m not sure how to answer that. However, the hierarchy of the ten clans had not changed since ancient times. Perhaps only the G.o.ds knew the reason. However, the distribution of resources in Infernal Court had always been given to those who were capable. It had nothing to do with the hierarchy. Moreover, the so-called hierarchy has never been taken seriously by the lower three clans,” said Luo Sha.
Zhang Ruochen thought, ‘It was reasonable for Infernal Court to let the Celestial-hunting Festival decide the distribution of benefits.’
In a thousand years, the more geniuses and elites nurtured by a clan, the more resources they would receive. In the end, the nurtured geniuses and elites would benefit themselves.
“In this thousand years, only the Xue Jue Family has added two new G.o.ds. This is already a huge bargaining chip for the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan. If we get another good result at the Celestial-hunting Festival, the ranking of the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan will rise.”
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen finally understood how much WarG.o.d Bloodximius had bet on him.
It was a huge gamble.
He was betting on the future of the entire b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan for the next thousand years.
Luo Sha changed the topic and said, “It’s a pity that the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan won’t be able to get a good result at the Celestial-hunting Festival. Who knows, they might be thrown into the mud and be trampled on.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled noncommittally and said, “b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan might not be outstanding, but they won’t be at the bottom of the Immortal Vampires even without me.”
Luo Sha said, “Lord Xia Yu, Supreme Saint Yi Xuan, and Gu Chenzi are first-cla.s.s Supreme Saints. With them, the strength of the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan is enough to rank sixth or seventh among the top ten Immortal Vampires. However, the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan is at the bottom because of you.”
Zhang Ruochen understood what she meant. He said seriously, “Are my enemies in Infernal Court that strong?”
“Not only strong, but many,” Luo Sha said.
Zhang Ruochen already understood the importance of the Celestial-hunting Festival. Naturally, he paid more attention to it. He said, “Your Highness, you are a brilliant princess. You must have a.n.a.lyzed it thoroughly. Can you tell me what kind of enemies they are?”
“On the list of the completion of the Hundred-Shackle Realm, there are at least three people in the top ten. They will do anything to kill you. There are also many elites at the pinnacle of the Hundred-Shackle Realm who want to teach you a lesson or suppress the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan. With your current cultivation, it’s almost impossible for you to make a difference at the Celestial-hunting Festival.”
Luo Sha continued, “What you should be thinking about now is how to save yourself at the Celestial-hunting Festival. This is already a big challenge for you.”
“You should give your promise to Lady Wind.
“If you ally with her, your chances of staying alive at the Celestial-hunting Festival will greatly increase.”
Zhang Ruochen was silent for a long time. He asked, “Do you think I’m that easy to kill? The three completed the Hundred-Shackle Realm in the top ten, what kind of monsters are they?”
“Pink Skull in eighth place, Wu Jiang in fifth place, and Lan Ying in second place,” said Luo Sha.
She continued, “Pink Skull from the Bone Clan. Rumor has it that she is immortal. She was once killed three times by a Paramount Realm Supreme Saint and came back to life three times. It can be said that she is the strangest of all those cultivators in the completion of the Hundred-Shackle Realm.
“You have offended the Bone Clan too often on the Battlefield of Merits. Pink Skull has announced that she will cut off your flesh and turn you into a white skeleton during the Celestial-hunting Festival.
“Wu Jiang is also known as Myriad Hands Taoist, or Myriad Hands Wu Jiang. He is the disciple of the most ancient G.o.d in the Fane of Darkness and also the youngest Uncle-Master of Son of Darkness. Although he is only a Hundred-Shackle Realm Supreme Saint, his seniority is higher than many G.o.ds.
“Of course, the most terrifying one is Lan Ying. Even my Royal Brother is extremely solemn when he is mentioned, treating him as a great enemy. He comes from the Asura’s Fane of Barasingha and is known as the Divine Fetus.
“If you meet any of them, you must immediately run for your life. Once you are close to them, you may not be able to escape. Even if you are a Master of Time and s.p.a.ce.
“The three of them are only the strongest and the three who want to kill you the most. You have more enemies than you thought.
“Within the Immortal Vampires, the clans that have a compet.i.tive relations.h.i.+p with the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan are the enemies among the enemies.”
Zhang Ruochen touched his chin and said, “As far as I know, you can’t kill each other during the Celestial-hunting Festival.”
Luo Sha giggled and asked, “Why? Are you afraid?”
“I’m not afraid. No matter how strong they are, it’s not easy for them to kill me. But, will the G.o.ds let them do as they like? My grandfather has a very bad temper. What if he turns the Celestial-hunting Festival upside down?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Luo Sha said, “Zhang Ruochen, I’ve said so much. Yet you still don’t get it. In the eyes of the G.o.ds, you are different from the other guests at the Celestial-hunting Festival.
“Do you know why the Thousand-Koan Realm elites of Dhisan didn’t come to the Arena of Life and Death to deal with you?
“Why didn’t the G.o.ds of the b.l.o.o.d.ysky Clan oppose you becoming the leader?
“Why did you have to go to the Celestial-hunting Festival instead of other cultivators?
“Haven’t you thought about the deeper reason?
Luo Sha sighed and mumbled to herself, “Those who have the heart to become G.o.ds will never give up. However, many of the Supreme Saints in Infernal Court have a smooth path of cultivation!”
This seemingly insignificant sigh shocked Zhang Ruochen. He understood many things in an instant.
“Do you want me to show you a clear path? Maybe I can help you to go against the trend and get a good ranking at the Celestial-hunting Festival, ” Luo Sha said and smiled charmingly. Her beautiful eyes rippled like a vixen who could charm all living things.
Zhang Ruochen thought carefully and said, “I will pa.s.s! If I’m serious, how can a mere Celestial-hunting Festival stop me?”
“Tsk, arrogant fool. I’ll wait to see you suffer.” Luo Sha pursed her red lips and snorted.
Although she said it with disdain, seeing Zhang Ruochen’s serious and confident look, she could not help but think of his heroic appearance on the Battlefield of Merits. Where he fought the entire army of the Infernal Court alone, and her heart suddenly jumped.
A man should stand tall. Even if there were 10,000 enemies in front of him, he would face them head-on.
He was not afraid.
“Your Highness, we have arrived at the gate to the Realm of Star Ocean,” Han Ying reported.
The channel of the blood riverfront was opened, and it was like a long river entering a flat lake.
An arch bridge made of light-spot connected the east and west banks, spanning 800 meters. Each light-spot was a bird s.h.i.+ning with starlight.
Luo Sha pointed to the light dot arch bridge as if he was testing Zhang Ruochen. She asked, “Do you know what it is?”
Zhang Ruochen looked up, he said, “Galactic Starrow! It was said that one Starrow could hold up an independent s.p.a.ce. The Realm of Star Ocean is so well-to-do to raise so many of them. There must be a unique world behind this gate.”
Luo Sha said, “The Realm of Star Ocean is the biggest business empire in Infernal Court. It’s so powerful that it has the t.i.tle of the 11th Clan in the Infernal Court. Your Immortal Vampires’ biggest saint shop, the Ancient Saint Pavilion, can’t even reach one-tenth of the size of the Realm of Star Ocean.”
“Why is the Realm of Star Ocean called the 11th Clan in the Infernal Court?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Luo Sha said, “Because the center of power of any one of the ten clans of Infernal Court can not control the Realm of Star Ocean. Under the banner of the Realm of Star Ocean, there are a large number of planets, primitive worlds, secret realms of the universe… the territory is extremely vast.”
“Who exactly is behind the Realm of Star Ocean?” Zhang Ruochen asked, his curiosity greatly increased.
Luo Sha smiled mysteriously. “To be able to open up an independent world s.p.a.ce in the Divine Domain of Destiny and to build the headquarters here. Who do you think is behind the Realm of Star Ocean?”
“The Fane of Destiny has good methods.”
Zhang Ruochen praised it. Then he was a little surprised and asked. “Is this the headquarters of the Realm of Star Ocean?”
“So many questions. Why don’t we just go in and take a look?” Luo Sha said.
Whoosh
The 300-meter-long saints.h.i.+p continued to sail forward. When it pa.s.sed through the arch bridge held up by the Galactic Starrow, it seemed to have hit a water curtain.. The water curtain kept swallowing the s.h.i.+p, and eventually, it disappeared on the river of blood.