Chapter 887: Assassination

Zhang Ruochen continued speaking. “If we really want to attack the Vampires first, we still can’t do so impulsively. We must plan carefully and it’s best if we unite with the imperial court to lower our losses as much as possible.”

Shi Ren nodded. “Looking at it this way, the Guardians of the Prison will go through a challenge whether we fight or not.”

Zhang Ruochen lived in the Bei Wang Mountain. There was a spiritual meridian under it. Thus, there was sufficient Spiritual Qi. It had 167 residences, but only the esteemed guests of the Guardians of the Prison could cultivate in Bei Wang Mountain.

The residence that he lived in was close to the mountaintop. It was the one with the most Spiritual Qi. It was guarded by two stone beasts and had four maids.

A spiritual spring flowed through the cave residence. There was also a defense formation, a Spiritual Collecting Formation, spiritual medicine, and pills. All in all, this was the treatment fit for a Swordsman.

“Back then, Sword Saint Xuanji also lived here when he visited the Pluto Sword Tomb,” Shi Ren said. “This is your first time here. Please rest tonight. Tomorrow, I will bring you to see the masters of the Taotian Sword’s line.”

With that, Shi Ren decided to leave.

“There’s something I want to say but I’m unsure,” Zhang Ruochen finally said after considering it many times.

Shi Ren stopped and turned. He glanced at Zhang Ruochen and said, “We have had life-or-death experiences. Speak your mind.”

Whoosh— Just then, Shi Ren snapped his fingers. A shred of Holy Qi flew out, activating the defense formation in the residence. This way, no one could hear them talk.

“In the netherworld, you should’ve realized that the Sixth Prince of the Immortal Vampires is my Fourth Senior Brother,” Zhang Ruochen said. “We had the same master. I’d once heard him say that the Vampires already have one of the six Saint Swords, but I don’t know which one they have.”

Shi Ren’s expression changed. “Really?”

The six saint swords were all possessed by the Six Swordsmen and they were all Sword Saints. It was practically impossible for the Vampires to take one. However, if a Vampire really did take control of a saint sword and infiltrated the Pluto Sword Tomb, the damages would be unimaginable.

This was why Shi Ren had lost his composure.

Zhang Ruochen nodded. “I know that this is very important too, so I didn’t say it aloud. Of course, this hasn’t been proven yet. As of now, only you and I know this. It’s best not to alert them and make everyone panic.”

After all, they couldn’t prove whether the Vampires really had a saint sword now. They also didn’t know which sword it was.

If news spread, the Six Swordsmen would probably all be suspected by the Guardians of the Prison and even forced out. If the Swordsmen and the Guardians of the Prison had conflicts, the Vampires would benefit the most.

“It indeed isn’t suitable to spread this news. We must investigate in secret.”

Shi Ren’s eyes were dark. He naturally sensed the importance of this. He immediately left Zhang Ruochen’s residence and busied himself with tasks.

There are internal and external problems. The Pluto Sword Tomb is facing an abnormally big challenge. That Pluto who may be dead or alive is a great threat too.

Zhang Ruochen sighed. He released Blackie and the Elephant-swallowing Rabbit from the scroll world. He told them to leave the residence and enter the Pluto Sword Tomb to investigate.

Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged in the residence. He activated the sixth level of the Emperor Ming Nine-sky Scripture. He absorbed the dense Spiritual Qi and continued fortifying his new realm.

No matter what, one’s own abilities were the most important resources. After reaching the Half-Saint Realm, one could absorb Spiritual Qi faster, but the cultivation speed would slow down.

It was rare for even a Saint Body to make a small improvement in ten years. Of course, reaching the Half-Saint Realm was a great accomplishment in itself. It was like reaching the pinnacle of one’s life.

Those who continued trying for the Saint Realm were either crazy cultivators with impossible talent or heirs of clans with rich resources.

In other words, even if you were talented, the Half-Saint Realm was your peak. If you wanted to enter the Saint Realm, it depended on your resources instead of pure talent.

For example:

Zhang Ruochen’s talent was pretty much crazy. He may not be the most talented in the world, but he was at least in the top three. However, if he lacked resources and cultivated naturally, he might only reach the ninth level of the Half-Saint Realm by the time he was 200 years old. And then he might be able to try entering the Saint Realm.

Other Monks’ talents were nowhere near Zhang Ruochen’s, so they had even less chances to try for the Saint Realm. Developing a Saint honestly required too many resources. Even the treasuries of many saint families could only cultivate two or three Saints. Even then, it was still unknown if they could become a Saint.

Of course, Zhang Ruochen had many opportunities and didn’t lack cultivation resources. He could go on the fast track and quickly raise his cultivation.

To go from the beginning to the pinnacle of the Half-Saint Realm’s first level, I can refine divine blood to raise my cultivation.

When I reach the pinnacle of the first level, I can buy a saint pill and use it to break into the next level.

From the beginning of the first level to the second level, it will take at least half a year. If I use the Spiritual Universe Map, I should be able to enter the second level within two months.

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Zhang Ruochen had a general plan for his following cultivation.

He took out a drop of divine blood. Holding it in his hands, he slowly activated his techniques and started absorbing it.

Divine blood wasn’t only helpful to Monks in the Fish-Dragon Realm. It also had endless benefits for Half-Saints. However, the middle-age families didn’t have enough divine blood, so they didn’t want to give it to Half-Saints.

Zhang Ruochen didn’t care though. He had a pool of it. As long as he could boost his cultivation, so what if he used up all the divine blood?

At midnight, he’d already absorbed the entire drop of divine blood. He could feel that his physical strength had improved greatly. A portion of the rules within the divine blood entered his saint soul, thickening the Rules of Saintly Way within it.

He’d only absorbed a drop of divine blood, but Zhang Ruochen felt that his cultivation had improved greatly. More importantly, he’d only absorbed two-thirds of the drop’s power. Most of it was saved up inside him.

Cultivating the Dragon and Elephant Prajna Palm should help my body absorb it faster.

Zhang Ruochen stood up. He activated his Qi to start practicing the palm technique.

Suddenly, a blood-red spear pierced the defense formation at the residence’s entrance. With explosive murderous aura, it stabbed toward Zhang Ruochen.

Boom!

Rolling Blood Qi surged with the long spear. One could vaguely see the owner of the sword was a ten-foot-tall Vampire. He had flesh wings on his back, wore armor, and had fearsome features with a dark face and sharp fangs.

Zhang Ruochen’s expression darkened. “Draconic Transformation,” he thundered.

It was the Ninth Palm of the Dragon and Elephant Prajna Palm. Golden dragon scales appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s hand, transforming it into sharp dragon talon. He struck forward.

At the same time, Five Elements Chaotic Qi spread out from the center and covered the entire talon.

Kaboom.

The golden talon clashed against the spear. A powerful burst of energy rushed out in all directions. The defense formation runes in the residence all lit up. They shone blindingly, blocking the energy current.

Zhang Ruochen retreated dozens of feet before he could stabilize himself. Even with the Five Elements Chaotic Qi’s protection, his hand shook with pain.

So powerful. He must be at the pinnacle of the Half-Saint Realm’s sixth level.

Zhang Ruochen stared at the bloody cloud in the near distance. “The Vampires have charged into here? I’ve really underestimated your forces amongst the Guardians of the Prison. Speak! How many spies do you have here?”

The Vampire with the spear seemed extremely cold. “Zhang Ruochen, you are trapped in this cave. You can’t escape. Hand over the Taotian Sword and I can keep your corpse whole.”

“You’re here to take my Taotian Sword instead of getting the Zhutian Sword from Xiang Zhengfeng. Do you think I’m weak and easy to bully?”

Zhang Ruochen released his Spiritual Energy to investigate outside the cave residence. He soon discovered that there were two very powerful Vampires outside. They had formation discs and were operating a formation to completely isolate the residence Zhang Ruochen was in.

This was why the outside world didn’t know that the Vampires were currently assassinating Zhang Ruochen to get the Taotian Sword.

“You’re facing death and you still dare to talk back.”

The Vampire attacked again. He transformed into a streak of blood and shot toward Zhang Ruochen like lightning.

“Coming of the Blood God.”

As the spear stabbed forward, shadows of six pairs of wings formed behind the Vampire. The blood-red spear radiated with icy Blood Qi. It felt as if the entire residence was sealed with ice.

Zhang Ruochen naturally felt great pressure. He pushed forward, activating the power of space. “Spatial Collapse,” he uttered.

Crack!

The space before Zhang Ruochen cracked like breaking glass. It collapsed inward, forming a 30-foot-wide hole. The collapsed space formed a huge swallowing force, devouring everything around it.

“Spatial power?” the Vampire exclaimed in shock.

However, he was prepared. Thus, the moment the space collapsed, he immediately retreated.

If this was before Zhang Ruochen had comprehended the spatial rules and reached the Half-Saint Realm, the Vampire might really have escaped. But now, Zhang Ruochen didn’t want to give him the chance.

“You want to escape? It’s not that easy.”

Zhang Ruochen pushed forward. In the distance, three more long fissures opened up in the collapsed space. They extended all the way to the Immortal Vampire.