648 Nine Goddesses of the Empyrean

Zhang Ruochen dared not break in. He turned and was about to go when he saw a white holy light soaring overhead. It came to rest just outside the mountain gate.

The white holy light emanated a very powerful aura of Holy Qi. As it descended, the two old priests of the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm knelt on the ground in awe.

The two old priests kowtowed and said in unison, "Our respects to the Patriarchs."

The holy light gradually dissipated, revealing five figures.

Only a half-Saint could soar above the Supreme Pure Palace, therefore, the five people in front of them must be the Patriarchs of the Yin and Yang Sect.

Zhang Ruochen was afraid of giving his identity away so he became very cautious. He immediately bowed his head and retreated to the side of the road.

He lifted his eyelids slightly and looked ahead.

He saw that four of the five figures were wearing purple Taoist robes. Powerful Holy Qi emanated from them. An ordinary Monk would not dare look them in the face.

Other than the four priests, there was a young lady in white standing in front and leading the group.

The lady in white was still quite young. With her long black hair and slender figure, she had an otherworldly, transcendental appearance. She resembled a fairy treading on rippling waters.

Her body exuded a dazzling holy aura, full of a wondrous delicacy. Although Zhang Ruochen could not really make out her face, he was certain she must be a ravishing beauty.

The four Half-Saints of the Yin and Yang Sect seemed to consider her their master, opting to stand behind her.

One of the four, an old priest in a purple robe, was standing on the extreme right. He extended an arm and ushered her forward. "Talented lady, this way please."

The lady in white nodded and took a step forward.

Suddenly, she stopped as if she had noticed something. She turned her eyes toward Zhang Ruochen at the wayside and smiled faintly. "The Yin and Yang Sect is indeed full of talents."

The lady in white merely glanced casually at Zhang Ruochen, but her eyes were very bright. Zhang Ruochen felt his body turning translucent before her.

He felt as if his secret had been laid bare to this lady in white.

The four old priests in purple robes all looked at Zhang Ruochen and showed surprise.

When they were soaring just now, the Holy Aura emanating from them had so awed the two gatekeepers that they had to kneel—both of them were Monks of the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm.

Yet this young disciple was still standing before them.

Very few Saint's disciples could resist four Half-Saints' Holy Aura.

This young disciple was really not simple.

They spared one glance at Zhang Ruochen and then entered the mountain gate together, disappearing into the mists of the Ancient Gods Mountain.

"Who on earth was that lady? Why is she so respected?"

Zhang Ruochen heaved a long sigh of relief when they left. His heart raced and his whole body was drenched in cold sweat.

The two old gatekeepers also got up and heaved a long sigh.

They had obviously been under a lot of pressure and only now felt relief.

The two old priests curiously stared at Zhang Ruochen in the distance. A mere indoor disciple was able to resist the Holy Aura of four Half-saint Patriarchs—it was incredible.

Zhang Ruochen walked over and asked, "Seniors, didn't you say that no one is allowed into the Ancient Gods Mountain today? Who was that lady in white? Why was she allowed in?"

The two old priests now knew that Zhang Ruochen was rather extraordinary, so they spoke to him more kindly.

The old priest on the left said, "Don't you know her? She is the most favored of the Nine Goddesses of the Empyrean, Saint Lady. She serves the Empress."

The other old priest joined in. "She is a Saint. A Spiritual Power Saint."

It was said that Empress Chi Yao kept nine lady officials around her, and they were collectively known as the "Nine Goddesses of the Empyrean."

Saint Lady's main responsibility was to supervise the world. The "Five Regions Report," which reported all the important occurrences within the entire Kunlun's Field, was compiled by her.

She knew the secrets of every Suzerain, every powerful family, and every College within Kunlun's Field.

Zhang Ruochen stared in the direction of the Ancient Gods Mountain. He muttered to himself. "So she's Saint Lady."

It was once Zhang Ruochen's wish to learn the truth about what happened 800 years ago from Saint Lady.

He had not expected that she would be under Chi Yao.

Zhang Ruochen now considered Saint Lady a dangerous character. He would certainly not provoke her unless he reached the Saint realm.

Zhang Ruochen asked the two priests how to enter the Ancient Gods Mountain.

The two old priests told him that only Saint's disciples could enter the Ancient Gods Mountain, and only on the first day of each month.

Although Zhang Ruochen had already reached the Fish-Dragon Realm, he had not yet taken part in the coronation ceremony. He was not yet a Saint's disciple.

Back in Zixia Sacred Mountain, Zhang Ruochen returned to his original appearance. He entered the Scroll World and took out two Spiritual Crystals, pinching them in his hand and running Qi exercises around his body.

With his current cultivation, the Holy Qi within his body could only maintain his disguise for a day.

After a day of many unexpected twists, the Holy Qi within Zhang Ruochen's body was almost completely depleted.

It took two hours of practice before his Holy Qi was replenished.

"If I can break into the Fifth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm, I can start cultivating my second holy meridian. After that, I will be able to maintain my disguise for five days."

He had only one goal in mind: to keep improving his cultivation level.

He took out the Source of Spiritual Fire, one of the Five Elements Spirit Treasures. He held it in both hands and started absorbing and refining its essence.

Refining the Source of Spiritual Fire could not only help cultivate the Four-spirit Treasured Body, but it could also raise his cultivation rapidly.

After practicing continuously for a month in the Scroll World, Zhang Ruochen's body reached a state of saturation. He could no longer absorb any more Source of Spiritual Fire into his body.

Zhang Ruochen's physical quality had improved just a little. He was still very far from achieving the Four-spirit Treasured Body.

Of course, the whole month of practice had improved Zhang Ruochen's cultivation greatly. It was comparable to a year's practice for other other Monks.

Zhang Ruochen's Tao of the sword had improved to a large degree as well.

It would not be long before he reached the fifth realm of Sword One.

"Today is the day of the coronation ceremony. I will try to break through to the fifth realm afterward."

Zhang Ruochen walked out of the Scroll World and returned once more to the small yard at Zixia Sacred Mountain.

His sniffed and instantly smelled the stench of blood.

"What happened?"

Zhang Ruochen released his Spiritual Power and cautiously walked out of his room. Soon, he saw a bloody corpse on the grass in the yard.

It was... Zhao Yibing's body.

Blackie leaped down from a house beam and slinked out. "This old priest snuck into the yard and said he wanted to kill you. I couldn't stand him anymore, so I killed him. It will not cause trouble for you, I hope?"

Zhang Ruochen stared at the corpse and sighed. "There really was no need to."

Zhao Yibing had been relegated to a lowly abyss miner by Half-saint Zixia. He was not resigned to this. He wanted to kill Zhang Ruochen before he left and release some resentment.

His luck was terrible, though, because he met Blackie.

A Cyan-robed Elder slapped to death by the paw of a fat cat. Zhao Yibing must have harbored deep resentment at the moment of his death.

"It shouldn't cause trouble, right?" asked Blackie.

Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "Since the man is already dead, what else can I do? Take his body into the Scroll World quickly and dispose of it."

A coronation ceremony was held once a month within the Yin and Yang Sect.

The venue of the ceremony was the ashram of the Supreme Pure Palace.

On that day of each month, many would gather on the ashram of the Supreme Pure Palace. All the indoor disciples of the three palaces and 72 yards would be there to enjoy the bustle. If they were lucky, they could catch a glimpse of a Half-Saint Patriarch.

Finally, a Saint's disciple had emerged from Zixia Sacred Mountain. As expected, Half-saint Zixia treated the occasion with great importance. He emerged from his secluded practice and personally brought Zhang Ruochen into the Supreme Pure Palace.

Half-saint Zixia's identity was so special that he would not show his face. After releasing Zhang Ruochen on the ashram, he turned into a streak of holy light and flew into the Supreme Pure Palace where he joined the other Half-Saints.

Zhang Ruochen had burned incense and bathed in the morning. He had also changed into a cyan robe worn only by Saint's disciples.

"It's just the monthly coronation ceremony, yet so many are here to witness it."

Zhang Ruochen glanced out from the ashram and discovered there was a multitude assembled. Aside from outer disciples, a great number of indoor disciples were also present.

"Yue, didn't you know that a great beauty would be seen during this month's coronation ceremony? We can witness a fierce contest as well. Such things don't happen every month. That's why they are here to enjoy it."

A sinister laugh rang out behind Zhang Ruochen.

While speaking, the person extended his arm and placed it casually on Zhang Ruochen's shoulder. His other hand stroked the mustache above his lips, looking coolly licentious.

Yue?

Zhang Ruochen finally reacted. The person was speaking to him.

Zhang Ruochen turned and looked at him.

This man looked like he was in his thirties. He had an aquiline nose with a prominent bridge. His nose was hooked like an eagle's beak.

Zhang Ruochen looked very calm as he asked, "Who are you?"