The Death Zen Elder wore a red cassock and rode a strange beast.
The reason why the beast was strange was because it had the head of a tiger, the ears of a god, a lion's body, and four dragon claws. It was like a hybrid.
The Saints in the temporary tent all rushed out as if facing a great enemy. They surrounded the Death Zen Elder, worried that he would hurt Zhang Ruochen.
There weren't many people in the entire Kunlun's Field who could take a hit from the Empress and still survive. The Death Zen Elder happened to be one of them. With this one achievement, he could look down on the entire world.
Of course, that was 500 years ago.
Now, no one in the entire Kunlun's Field could take a hit from the Empress.
Lord Mingjiang's eyes were filled with fear, but he still stopped the strange beast. "Death Zen Elder," he called out. "Didn't you swear never to set foot in Kunlun's Field again?"
The Death Zen Elder smiled. He didn't have any evil Qi on his body. Like an advanced monk, he put his hands together and said, "A split body. This isn't my true body."
Lord Mingjiang was doubtful, because even with his cultivation, he couldn't tell that this wasn't the true body.
Plus, only a split body gave him great pressure already.
Right then, Zhang Ruochen walked out of the tent in a golden royal robe. He was extremely handsome. "The elder is a friend I've invited. Everyone, step down and continue to do what you should do."
All the Saints present, including the leaders of clans and organizations, all exchanged awkward glances. They were in disbelief.
This Crown Prince truly had great connections. It was reasonable that he could summon the Guarding Dragon Pavilion. Now, he'd actually invited someone like the Death Zen Elder. One had to be impressed.
After entering the tent, the Death Zen Elder praised, "Sir Zhang, you are actually the son of Emperor Ming, the Crown Prince of the Sacred Central Empire. No wonder you didn't want to become the Buddha of the Death Zen Sect."
Zhang Ruochen didn't want to make small talk. "You should know why I invited you here, correct?" he said straightforwardly.
The Death Zen Elder smiled. "In order to repay what you owe, you stir up a storm in the world, just for a smile. To repay what I owe, I will naturally help as much as possible."
Zhang Ruochen was still calm, even when before someone as strong as the Death Zen Elder. He didn't feel any pressure. "You only sent a split body here. Does that count as helping as much as possible too?"
"I have already turned a divine corpse into a battle corpse," the Death Zen Elder said. "I can use the Death Zen Buddhist techniques to control it. The power of a divine battle corpse may be even stronger than myself."
Zhang Ruochen's eye twitched. He couldn't help but be impressed by the Death Zen Elder.
After all, even if a god was dead, there was still strong divine intent remaining in the corpse. How could it be willing to be turned into a battle corpse and enslaved?
However, the Death Zen Elder had done it!
Since the Death Zen Elder brought the divine corpse to Kunlun's Field, Zhang Ruochen actually could accept this. He called Han Qiu out and had her tell the plan of attacking the Fire Tribe to the Death Zen Elder.
After listening, the Death Zen Elder stared deeply at Han Qiu. A different look flashed past his eyes. "There's actually someone in this world who can really comprehend the Way of Darkness. Not easy. Truly not easy."
Han Qiu just chuckled coldly. She folded her arms before her chest, not feeling any pressure at all.
"Elder, could you visit the Fiery Territory with her?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Death Zen Elder chuckled. "Ghost King Shenchu and the divine battle corpse are the soul and corpse of a god. They have the same origin. If I have the chance, I would like to take it as well and combine it with the divine battle corpse. Perhaps, I might be able to improve the battle corpse's strength."
"In that case, I will wait for your good news in the central region."
Actually, Zhang Ruochen also wanted to visit the Fiery Territory and personally meet Qiu Yu, the so-called "number one of the same realm." Unfortunately, he really couldn't leave. He had to visit many places every day, bringing large amounts of the old followers into the Universe World.
After the Death Zen Elder and Han Qiu left, Zhang Ruochen went to find Le. He told him about joining the Guarding Dragon Pavilion.
Le sat by the lake and fished. According to him, he wasn't fishing but capturing life. It was because he knew how to capture life that he could live successfully after dying each time.
Other people were passively awaiting death. He was studying how to proactively capture life.
"Okay."
Le's reply was only one word.
Zhang Ruochen sat down beside him and stared at the rapid currents. "The water is too fast. The fish don't even come. How will they have the chance to take your bait?"
"That means the water is alive," Le said.
Zhang Ruochen chuckled. He knew that the world he saw was completely different from what Le saw, so he didn't question it any further.
"You fought with Qiu Yu before. How are his skills?" Zhang Ruochen's expression was serious.
"Very strong."
Le said, "Before the seventh turn, I wasn't his match at all. I didn't have a chance of winning. Now, I at least have a 50% chance of killing him and 50% chance of getting killed."
Le was able to kill someone at the pinnacle of the True Saint Realm with one strike. His abilities were probably comparable to an early-stage Absolute Saint. But Qiu Yu was half-and-half with him. His abilities were honestly a bit too crazy.
Zhang Ruochen squinted. "From what I know, you were able to injure him greatly before reaching the seventh turn."
"First, he was too careless at that time. Second, I'd given up my life, but he was only heavily injured."
Le continued, "My Death Sword Way only has one strike. He could take my strike without dying. That can only mean that he was much, much stronger than me.
"Plus, I've only completed the seventh turn now. I need to go through at least ten life-or-death experiences before reaching the peak of the seventh turn. With each experience, my abilities will improve greatly. Give me some time to go through one or two experiences. If I'm still alive, I will kill him for you."
Zhang Ruochen patted Le's shoulder and chuckled. "Since Qiu Yu is the divine parasol tree, then he is also the true body of a god. He's a young deity and quite a good opponent. If you killed him, where would I find another opponent?"
Then Zhang Ruochen stood up and walked back.
Le's voice came from behind. "Killing a tree and a person aren't the same. There are many ways to kill a person, but you have to cut the trunk to kill a tree and destroy the roots."
"I hear you!"
Zhang Ruochen didn't stop walking. He'd already disappeared from the horizon.
One must admit that Qiu Yu was indeed a powerful opponent. In the Blue Dragon Void World, only he, Qi Sheng, and Corpse Emperor Tianming could counter Zhang Ruochen.
His title as number one in the same realm wasn't unfounded.
Right now, Zhang Ruochen needed to improve his cultivation the most. Fortunately, it was also the easiest for him.
Zhang Ruochen's current understanding of the Saintly Way far surpassed the beginning of the Absolute Land Realm. He only needed to refine saintly medicines or pills to improve quickly.
He'd received many pills and medicine by conquering the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion.
Zhang Ruochen sent out a beam of Spiritual Power. A moment later, Qin Yutong came personally with a saintly pill to improve cultivation. She placed it on Zhang Ruochen's table.
Zhang Ruochen picked up the pill and recognized it. "It's actually a Spirit-Charging Pill. The Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion has such treasures."
The Spirit-Charging Pill was a middle-grade saintly pill. It could greatly help a True Saint and Absolute Saint improve their cultivation.
Even a low-grade saintly pill was extremely rare and uncommon.
Even a force like the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion could only have one middle-grade saintly pill. It was evident how valuable a Spirit-Charging Pill was.
In the following time, Zhang Ruochen cultivated while rushing to all the counties to bring old followers in. He didn't stop day and night. He didn't even dare to rest for a moment.
…
South region, Fiery Territory
Many days ago, Qiu Yu had already received news that Zhang Ruochen had led an army to destroy the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion. However, he still seemed composed. It didn't affect his daily rhythm at all. He worked on cultivating day and night.
He also understood that if he didn't improve, then he would be overtaken.
The Nine Heirs, Zhang Ruochen, Corpse Emperor Tianming, and the top Taigu Remains in the Savage Barren Territory were all creatures who could fight an entire era.
If he relaxed for a moment, he would be surpassed.
An elder of the Fire Tribe walked in and appeared below Qiu Yu. "There is definite news that Zhang Ruochen indeed has a world. The Divine Sky-connecting Tree is rooted in that world and has sprouted."
Qiu Yu paused his cultivation. A smile appeared on his handsome face. "Great! Did you find out where the world is?"
The elder shook his head. "We've already asked Heavenly King Douzhan to use the Ministry of War's power to check all the major void worlds, but he still doesn't have any news."
"No problem," Qiu Yu said indifferently. "Anyway, Zhang Ruochen will appear on the seventh of the next month. At that time, won't we be able to find the Divine Sky-connecting Tree after capturing him?"
"Zhang Ruochen was able to destroy the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion," the elder said. "He must possess a huge force. The Fire Tribe will pay greatly to capture him."
Qiu Yu touched his nose softly and smiled. "Why should we act personally? Spread the news and see that I can double my growth speed by using the Divine Sky-connecting Tree as fertilizer. I will become the World Spirit of Kunlun's Field soon.
"Whoever can help us capture Zhang Ruochen and take the Divine Sky-connecting Tree will be the Fire Tribe's friend forever. When I become the World Spirit, he'll be able to bring his tribesmen to cultivate in the place closest to the divine tree and be protected by me."
The elder smiled. "Once this news spreads, many forces will fight for the chance to go against Zhang Ruochen next month, haha."
"Of course…"
Boom!
Suddenly, the entire world shook violently. The Fire Tribe Elder and Qiu Yu almost fell to the ground.
"What happened?"
Qiu Yu's expression darkened. He looked up and saw thick Ghost Qi cover the sky. Even the blazing Fiery Territory became a bit chilly.