Chapter 2123 - The Painter's Death
Chapter 2123: The Painter’s Death
Although Zhang Ruochen didn’t have a good relationship with the imperial court, he had to admit that they played a huge role in keeping the five regions in a relatively stable state ever since Kunlun Realm became the Battlefield of Merits.
However, as the attacks of the Infernal Court became fiercer, the imperial court’s power became further stretched to the limit. The key problem was that there was a lack of top powerhouses. No matter how strong Blood Dripper was, it could not defeat all powerhouses of Infernal Court’s Ten Clans.
Many thoughts flashed through Zhang Ruochen’s mind. He said, “You’re too late. There’s an incomplete divine formation that has been revived, so True Dragon Island has been re-sealed. No one can enter nor leave.”
Upon hearing this, Divine Scripture Maiden and the Exterminator’s expressions changed. They had came for the key to the World Gate. Never had they expected that they couldn’t even enter True Dragon Island.
At this moment, they also finally understood why Zhang Ruochen showed up here and not on True Dragon Island.
“Is there any news about the key to the World Gate?” the Exterminator asked.
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment and said, “The key to the World Gate is extremely mysterious. No one should be able to find it. Otherwise, World Spirit would be in danger.”
Although the key to the World Gate, which had turned into the short skinny old man, had already fallen into their hands, it was clearly not Zhang Ruochen’s intention to hand it over to the imperial court.
There were many reasons for this. Most importantly, the imperial court was an enemy of Zhang Ruochen. There was no reason for him to hand the key to the World Gate over to them. Secondly, the imperial court was too weak, and it would be difficult for them to protect the key to the World Gate.
Since the key to the World Gate was derived from Kunlun Realm’s Origin , it couldn’t be brought out of Kunlun Realm. If not for this reason, they would have handled it over to the taboo character of Yin Yang Sea. This would undoubtedly be the safest.
“In that case, I should return to Southern Region,” the Exterminator was very anxious.
Without any delay, the Exterminator rose into the air, turned into a streak of blood-red light and left in a flash.
Seeing the Exterminator leave, Zhang Ruochen moved and appeared on a canoe, standing face-to-face with Divine Scripture Maiden.
Their eyes met, and Zhang Ruochen saw the tiredness in Divine Scripture Maiden’s eyes. He could not help but ask:
“Are you okay?”
Zhang Ruochen and Divine Scripture Maiden asked at the same time.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said as casually as possible, “I’m alright. I’ve been walking around and admiring all kinds of scenery.”
He didn’t want to talk about all the killings and blood.
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he last saw Divine Scripture Maiden. Although she had been to Peacock Manor, she came in the form of the Nine-heavens Maiden. They hadn’t even had a chance to talk properly.
“Too many cultivators have died at your hands. I’m afraid that Infernal and Celestial Courts will not let this matter rest. You must be careful,” Divine Scripture Maiden reminded him seriously.
She knew that Zhang Ruochen was very powerful. He was already a top-tier cultivator who was in the first-tier below Supreme Sainthood. However, things had gotten more dangerous for him since he gained more attention. He couldn’t afford to be careless. Any carelessness could be fatal.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Many people want to kill me, but I’m still alive. I have to thank these external pressures so that I was able to improve my abilities in such a short time. Don’t worry about me, I will be careful.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” Divine Scripture Maiden whispered. A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.
Sensing the change in Divine Scripture Maiden’s emotions, Zhang Ruochen felt a bit uneasy. He quickly asked, “Are you alright? Did something happen?”
“I’m fine. I have to deal with something in the imperial court, so I can’t stay for long. Take care,” Divine Scripture Maiden’s eyes flashed. She didn’t dare to look Zhang Ruochen in the eye.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen became even more suspicious. He stared at Divine Scripture Maiden, “Tell me, what exactly happened? As long as it’s within my capability, I’ll help you.”
He didn’t want to have anything to do with the imperial court, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch when things had something to do with Divine Scripture Maiden.
Divine Scripture Maiden slowly sat down on the canoe. She hugged her knees and bit her lips. A faint mist appeared in her eyes, and she looked as if she had been wronged.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart skipped a beat. He had never seen Divine Scripture Maiden in such a weak state.
Even when she was trapped in the first level of Endless Abyss, she still appeared very strong, unlike how she was now.
Just when Zhang Ruochen wanted to ask more questions, Divine Scripture Maiden murmured, “Elder Art Saint, he has passed away… he…”
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen was stunned. He then stared at her in disbelief, thinking that he had misheard what was said.
Chu Siyuan had practiced for hundreds of years. Before Kunlun Realm recovered, he had already reached the pinnacle of Saint Realm and became a Grandmaster of Path of Confucianism. He had accumulated rich experiences.
In the Battlefield of Merits of Zuling Realm, Chu Siyuan had made a breakthrough and became a Spirit Saint in one fell swoop. After that, he became stronger and stronger. He was one of the top cultivators of Path of Confucianism .
Moreover, Chu Siyuan was in possession of Path of Confucianism’s most precious treasure — the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths. With this, he should be able to protect himself even if he met an invincible enemy.
For those reasons, Zhang Ruochen found it hard to believe that Chu Siyuan had died.
“When did this happen?” Zhang Ruochen asked with a heavy heart.
Divine Scripture Maiden said with a sad look in her eyes, “Just three days ago.”
“With Elder Chu’s… shrewdness and power, who could kill him?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Divine Scripture Maiden lowered her head even further, and her eyes began to well up. She said, “It was Great Prince Mara of Rakshasa.”
Zhang Ruochen frowned. He hadn’t expected the powerhouses of Rakshasa to do this. After all, Rakshasa’s main battlefield was in Southern Region, not Central Region.
Central Region had its own Battlefield of Merits, but it was dominated by the Immortal Vampires.
In Rakshasa, those whose cultivation had reached the Precept Domain level could be conferred the title of ‘Prince’. Above that, there was also ‘Great Prince’, whose status was even more revered.
Any Great Prince had to be at least in the third tier below the Supreme Sainthood. They were usually well-known in Celestial and Infernal Courts.
However, even if he encountered Great Prince of Rakshasa, Chu Siyuan should still have a chance to escape since he could rely on the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths. Furthermore, what had Chu Siyuan done to provoke Rakshasa suddenly?
“Not only Elder Art Saint, but the entire Art Sect has been destroyed by Great Prince Mara’s army,” Divine Scripture Maiden could no longer hold back her tears and started to sob softly.
She was once an apprentice under the Four Schools of Confucianism. Art Sect was her root, and Chu Siyuan was also her master. She was inevitably sad that they were all gone.
Zhang Ruochen was shocked. At this point, he had understood that it was not Chu Siyuan who provoked Rakshasa, but it was Rakshasa who came to destroy Art Sect.
Zhang Ruochen asked in a deep voice, “Why did Rakshasa want to destroy Art Sect?”
“That’s because Art Sect still has the last Saint Ancient Tea Tree, which was planted by the Confucius forefathers. It’s the spiritual symbol of Path of Confucianism. Even the deities from Infernal Court would be tempted by it. They treat it as treasure since it can help them comprehend the supreme way of the gods,” Divine Scripture Maiden said.
The relationship between Path of Confucianism and the imperial court was too deep. Their fates were closely intertwined as they rise and fall together.
Tens of millions of years ago, the four Confucius forefathers each planted a Saint Ancient Tea Tree. During the middle age catastrophe, three of those were destroyed, so the one by Art Sect was the only one left.
Saint Ancient Tea Tree meant a lot to Path of Confucianism. It was as if the Confucius forefathers were still alive. It also held an extremely high position in the hearts of the disciples of Path of Confucianism.
A large Rakshasa army had sneaked into Central Region and attacked Art Sect. This was something that Path of Confucianism and the imperial court had never expected. By then, it was too late for anyone to step in and help.
Since Chu Siyuan was dead, Saint Ancient Tea Tree had most likely fallen into Rakshasa’s hands.
“The Rakshasa army, led by Great Prince Mara had thousands of dukes and hundreds of princes. Although Art Sect has tens of thousands of disciples, most of them are weak. There was no way that they could defend themselves.
“Elder Art Saint originally had the chance to escape, but he chose to stay and fight for Art Sect. He risked his life to protect Saint Ancient Tea Tree. It was planted by the Confucius forefathers and represents the spirit of Path of Confucianism. No matter what, it must not fall into the hands of Infernal Court.
“Elder Luo Xu received the news and wanted to help, but he couldn’t enter into Art Sect. He was heavily injured by Great Prince Mara and chased by Rakshasa cultivators. Even until now, we don’t know whether he’s dead or alive.
“Within a short period of time, Art Sect became like hell. The Rakshasa army killed everyone they saw. Elder Art Saint fought with all his might, yet he was powerless to turn the situation around. He was grabbed by Great Prince Mara, hung by his neck, and hung on Saint Ancient Tea Tree. Great Prince Mara used a demonic blade to cut off Elder Art Saint’s flesh piece by piece and eat it. In the end, only his white bones were left swaying in the wind.”
Divine Scripture Maiden started to cry loudly as she spoke. Tears kept flowing down her face.
At this point, she had completely lost control of her emotions. She couldn’t accept the fact that a respectable Elder had died so tragically.
Zhang Ruochen was stunned upon hearing the news. He felt like he was suffocating. He clenched his fists, and his joints cracked. Cold killing intent surged in his eyes.
There should be a bottomline for everything. Great Prince Mara not only killed Chu Siyuan, but also cut off his flesh piece-by-piece and ate them in front of him. How cruel was that?
Needless to say, Chu Siyuan must have suffered unimaginable pain before he died eventually.
Zhang Ruochen had a strong impression of Chu Siyuan. Their first encounter was when Chu Siyuan was leading Ling Feiyu, who had damaged her willpower, to escape the pursuit of the saints of the evil way.
At that time, Chu Siyuan only drew a picture and destroyed all 100,000 troops of the Qitian Clan Immortal Vampires. It was absolutely shocking.
Then, Chu Siyuan used the Portrait of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths, Art Sect’s precious treasure, to help Ling Feiyu recover her willpower. That was also when he and Ling Feiyu started a special relationship.
In Zhang Ruochen’s heart, Chu Siyuan was a very stubborn person, but he was full of righteousness. He abhorred evil, and treated it as if it was his enemy.
He still remembered that Chu Siyuan had gone to Shengming City with him and taught him not to go astray.
When Sect of the Blood God was in great danger, Chu Siyuan had set aside his prejudice and stepped in to fight the missus of the Sect of the Blood God leader. Even though he wasn’t strong enough, he didn’t retreat.
Now, he had died protecting Art Sect and Saint Ancient Tea Tree. He had demonstrated the noble character of Confucianism to the fullest.
Thinking that the old man had been eaten and turned into bones, and the entire Art Sect scorched, Zhang Ruochen was in a daze for a moment. His eyes welled up unconsciously.
War was cruel and merciless after all. Perhaps one day, his family and close friends would all die in battle.
Who would be next?