met free Chapter 126 Yunwu County
Chapter 126 Yunwu County
As time flows by, hundreds of years pass in the blink of an eye. After hundreds of years of war, strife, and slaughter, the Kunlun Realm finally ushered in an unprecedented golden age of unification.
Since Empress Chi Yao emerged from nowhere and ascended to the pinnacle of the chaotic world, sweeping across the eight wastelands, pacifying various sects, and defeating dozens of Great Saint Realm Emperors of the Kunlun Realm, and finally personally defeating Ling Kun, the previous leader of the Moon Worshiping Demon Sect, in the Battle of Tonglu Plain, all the major sects, dynasties, and families of the human race in the Kunlun Realm, which had been in constant turmoil, have surrendered, and the human race's territory has achieved true unification for the first time.
With the situation settled, Chi Yao's ambition to unify the country never stopped.
In the years that followed, Chi Yao personally led expeditions into the desolate secret realm, successively fighting against several top beast kings who dominated their respective regions, flattening the ancestral nests of the beast race, suppressing thousands of demon races in the desolate wilderness, and incorporating the vast and boundless desolate secret realm, teeming with ferocious beasts, into the vast territory of the First Central Empire.
With this, the Kunlun realm was completely unified!
Empress Chi Yao reigned supreme, and all races—demons, ghosts, spirits, and evil spirits—submitted to her. All races bowed their heads, and peace reigned throughout the land. Empress Chi Yao, having fully grasped all power in the Kunlun Realm and controlled the destiny of heaven and earth, ushered in hundreds of years of prosperity and stability for the First Central Empire.
The chaotic era ended, and a prosperous age arrived. The vast land of Kunlun was free from war, and all five regions were bathed in the aura of peace. Spiritual energy was restored, martial arts flourished, and cultivators emerged in great numbers, creating a scene of eternal harmony.
Kunlun Realm, Eastern Region, Heavenly Demon Ridge.
Located in a remote and desolate area on the border of the Eastern Region, far from the Holy City of the Eastern Region, this place has been a barren land since ancient times, devoid of spiritual energy and rarely visited by powerful figures. It was not until three hundred years ago that the peerless genius Luo Xu emerged here, rising against all odds and becoming famous throughout Kunlun, that this desolate place gradually became known throughout the world.
The Tianmo Ridge stretches for 120,000 li, with majestic and imposing mountains, thousands of peaks and ridges, like a dragon coiled and a tiger crouching, lying quietly on the earth.
Thirty-six human kingdoms are scattered around the mountain range, like stars surrounding the moon, protecting the Heavenly Demon Ridge.
Yunwu County was an ordinary, lower-ranking county among these thirty-six subordinate counties.
With a small territory and shallow foundation, martial arts have withered within its borders. The strongest person in the country, the Prince of Yunwu, is only a cultivator at the Heavenly Realm. In the vast Kunlun Realm, he is but a drop in the ocean, insignificant.
In the stillness of the night, in the royal palace of Yunwu County, in the sleeping quarters of the Ninth Prince.
"Chi Yao, I loved you dearly, why did you kill me?"
The mournful and poignant murmurs echoed deep within the dream, the heart-wrenching obsession branded into the very marrow of the soul.
Zhang Ruochen's body trembled violently as he abruptly awoke from an endless nightmare. Cold sweat soaked through his clothes, his chest heaved violently, and his mind trembled uncontrollably.
Two completely different memories, like two rushing rivers, merged and intertwined in his mind.
In one life, he was the genius crown prince of the Kunlun Holy Empire, who was betrayed by his beloved, his blood staining the imperial city, and he died with resentment; in another life, he was the weak ninth prince of the Yunwu Kingdom, who could not even awaken the Divine Martial Mark.
Memories from the past overlap, past destinies surge, and love, hate, obsession, vicissitudes, and resentment all rush to the heart.
Zhang Ruochen sat blankly on the bed, his eyes empty and dazed, unable to come back to his senses for a long time, his eyes filled with astonishment and incomprehension at his fate.
"Chen'er, did you have another nightmare?"
A gentle, tender female voice, filled with endless worry, came from outside the palace gate.
The delicate and gentle Consort Lin strode into the room. Her elegant palace attire accentuated her quiet and tender demeanor. Seeing her child's still-shaken state, her brows instantly filled with heartache and concern. She walked slowly to the bedside and gently smoothed the messy hair on his forehead.
Having experienced a terrifying ordeal, Zhang Ruochen sensed this genuine warmth, and his chaotic and restless emotions gradually calmed down. He quickly concealed all the vicissitudes and obscurity in his eyes, suppressed the love and hatred in his heart, adjusted his temperament and demeanor, and spoke to Lin Fei in a gentle voice, just like an ordinary, naive young man.
Unbeknownst to them, deep within the layers of clouds above the vast sky above Yunwu Royal City, two extraordinary figures, transcending the mortal realm and overlooking the universe, silently watched the young man in the bedchamber from beginning to end.
The void is still, and the Daoist rhythm rises and falls.
Zhenyu stood atop the clouds, his gaze deep and far-reaching, piercing through layers of spatial barriers as he stared at the newly reborn body below. His tone carried a mixture of sighs and curiosity: "The Heaven-defying technique of the Great Venerable and the Venerable Monk Sumeru is truly unfathomable."
"Is Zhang Ruochen's current state a case of possession and rebirth, or reincarnation?"
An old man with a casual beard and hair, and a free and unrestrained temperament, stood with his hands behind his back. He was none other than the Calamity Venerable who had been awakened by Zhenyu from the tomb of the Great Venerable of Wangshan.
The Venerable Tribulation remained casual and nonchalant, laughing heartily, "Whether it's possession or rebirth, he's still a descendant of the Zhang family, and ultimately, he's a member of our Zhang family!"
Since his awakening, the Venerable One has been preoccupied with only one thing: to restore the Zhang family's eternal glory and wash away the humiliation of the decline and fall of the ancestral lineage.
Zhang Ruochen was chosen by the Holy Monk of Sumeru, a chosen one who defied the heavens and carried the future of Kunlun and the changes in the heavens. He was also the key to the rise of the Zhang family. Naturally, he had to come in person to guard this extraordinary pawn.
A moment later, the Tribulation Venerable turned to look at Zhenyu beside him, whose aura was unfathomable. His eyes were filled with suspicion and expectation as he tentatively asked, "Zhenyu, is what you said earlier true? The Zhang family branch of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty in the Primordial World actually has several True Gods in charge?"
"And that Dao-Severing Curse that has haunted my Zhang family for countless ages, have you truly broken it completely?"
The Venerable One of Calamity remained incredulous.
The Dao-Severing Curse is the most powerful curse in the heavens, personally set up by Yin Xuetian. It is insidious and incurable, sealing the bloodline and path of the Zhang family, trapping countless Zhang family prodigies. Even the Venerable Monk Sumeru exhausted all means, deducing and trying in every way, but could not completely eradicate it.
He knew all too well how terrifying and troublesome the Dao-Severing Curse was. Although Zhenyu's cultivation was high, surpassing the Immortal Boundless, he might not have truly surpassed the Sumeru Saint Monk of yesteryear. How could he possibly break this curse?
Zhenyu smiled calmly upon hearing this, his gaze composed: "Elder Jie, there's no need to doubt. Once the Kunlun Realm is completely unsealed, you can personally go to the Primordial Realm to see for yourself and then you'll know the truth."
"The Great Ming Dynasty is now renowned throughout the heavens and is extremely prosperous. In the latest list of merits of the Great Sages in the Heavenly Court, there is a peerless genius from the Zhang family who ranks among the top ten, enjoying boundless glory."
Upon hearing this, the Venerable Tribulation's aged face instantly lit up with intense anticipation, his heart pounding with excitement.
He stared at Zhenyu for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I doubt you would dare to deceive me."
Immediately, his gaze turned somber as he looked down at the tiny Yunwu Kingdom below, his tone tinged with a mixture of melancholy and determination: "Even though that branch in the Primordial Realm was once at its peak, producing countless geniuses, it has long since migrated from the ancestral land of Kunlun. It can only be considered a collateral branch, not the orthodox lineage!"
"My return is to personally nurture the direct descendants of the Zhang family native to Kunlun, revive the ancestral lineage, and ensure that the Zhang family of Kunlun once again stands at the pinnacle of all heavens!"
In the meantime, he had already secretly investigated thoroughly.
The Zhang family of Kunlun is now a mere shell of its former self, occupying only the small Yunwu County, which controls just over ten cities. The once mighty ancestral family is now only supported by three cultivators at the Heavenly Realm, its foundation is weak, its martial arts are declining, and it is utterly desolate.
It is truly lamentable and heartbreaking that the once mighty ancestral family, which dominated the heavens and reigned supreme for eternity, has fallen to such a state.
With a thought, Venerable Jie immediately put on a smiling expression, turned to look at Zhen Yu, and put on a very generous look, asking for money: "Zhen Yu, I know that you are the Supreme Alchemist of this era, and you have endless alchemy knowledge."
"Give me a thousand divine pills first, so I can quickly heal my injuries and restore my cultivation!"
"A thousand pills?!"
Upon hearing this, Zhenyu immediately shook his head and refused: "You think I'd eat this? Not a single one! Don't even think about it!" He was speechless at the gluttonous attitude of the Venerable Jie.
Undeterred, the Venerable Tribulation quickly suppressed his greed, lowered his stance, and pleaded earnestly, "Then I'll compromise! I'll grant you a Nine-Turn Divine Soul Pill!"
"During the great battle back then, my divine soul was severely damaged by that old bastard Qing Cang. For the past 100,000 years, my divine soul has remained incomplete and difficult to recover, and I have yet to fully regain my peak combat power. With the Nine Revolutions Divine Soul Pill to nourish my divine soul, I can quickly repair my Dao foundation!"
Zhenyu glanced at him indifferently and said calmly, "This request is not excessive. However, I did not bring any divine pills with me when I returned to Kunlun Realm this time."
"You shall remain in Kunlun for now, taking care of Zhang Ruochen and his mother, and ensuring his safe growth. Once I have finished my business, I will provide you with the necessary elixirs."
The Venerable Jie instantly showed a bitter expression, looking utterly hopeless.
To leave him in a remote border county as a nanny, taking care of a younger generation's child, is simply a waste of his talents and an extreme frustration!
He groaned inwardly. In all the worlds, there were countless beautiful women waiting for him to meet and reunite. If he lingered here too long and missed his chance, he might be secretly cuckolded, which would be a huge loss!
Seeing his reluctant expression, Zhenyu chuckled inwardly; his things weren't so easy to take.
He glanced down one last time at the palace below, at the desolate situation of Zhang Ruochen and her son, who had been ostracized by the Eighth Prince and forced to move into a side hall of the cold palace. Seeing through this trivial farce of royal infighting, he stopped lingering.
With a flicker, he transformed into an invisible Daoist aura and vanished into the vast sky, leaving behind only the helpless and forced-to-stay-behind Tribulation Venerable, standing alone in the high sky, sighing in the wind.
……
Meanwhile, in Tiantai Prefecture of Kunlun Realm, at the Taiji Dao headquarters.
The mountains are majestic, the Taoist spirit is profound, the landscape is beautiful and spiritual, and the lineage has been passed down for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest Taoist traditions in the Kunlun region.
Inside the main hall, the strongest Tai Chi master of the era, True Monarch Mingyu, was in seclusion, diligently cultivating the ultimate Tai Chi technique, "Azure Sky Nine Heavens Sword."
The sword light flowed with yin and yang, opening and closing heaven and earth, its power ethereal and otherworldly. He was completely absorbed in his work, his sword intent unified, oblivious to any external disturbances.
After the entire set of peerless sword techniques was practiced and the sword was sheathed, True Monarch Mingyu suddenly realized that a calm and serene figure in white robes was sitting on the main seat of the hall.
The opponent sat calmly watching the martial arts, smiling as he looked on, his expression composed and his inner strength unfathomable.
The moment he recognized the newcomer, True Monarch Mingyu froze, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back. A storm raged within him, and he knelt down, bowing respectfully: "This disciple was unaware of the arrival of the Ancestor and failed to greet you from afar. I beg the Ancestor's forgiveness!"
As the current leader of the Tai Chi Dao, he knew all the sect's hidden inheritances and was clear that the person in front of him was the true foundation of the Tai Chi Dao.
Zhenyu raised his hand, and the invisible Daoist energy flowed, generating a powerful lifting force that gently helped him up. His voice was gentle and resonant, echoing throughout the hall: "Get up."
"Your mastery of palm techniques is quite profound, but your mastery of the Azure Sky Nine Heavens Sword technique is merely superficial, lacking the essence, and far inferior to the exquisite palm techniques you possess."
"Tell me, has your self-created Mingyu Skill reached the tenth level?"
True Lord Mingyu's real name is Sikong Mingyu. He is a true native prodigy of Kunlun. He was born in a small, nameless human country in a wild and mysterious realm. He had no famous master to pass on his knowledge to and no top-tier resources to support him.
Relying solely on scattered martial arts traditions, his own extraordinary comprehension, and unwavering Dao heart, he painstakingly created the "Mingyu Gong" technique, cultivating all the way from an insignificant ant to the Saint Realm. He is truly a hidden gem.
Later, he was recognized by the Dao Emperor and taken in as a personal disciple, inheriting the orthodox lineage of Taiji Dao and taking charge of the Daoist sect.
Upon hearing this, True Monarch Mingyu bowed sincerely and replied, "Our ancestor has keen insight. My swordsmanship is indeed limited, far inferior to that of my fellow disciples, and I am far from perfecting it."
"Fortunately, thanks to the guidance of my former master, I have already comprehended all the profound mysteries of the tenth level of the Bright Jade Skill, and I am only one step away from complete perfection."
At this point, a sharp and resolute killing intent flashed in his eyes, and his tone was firm: "Once I have perfected the tenth level of the Bright Jade Skill, I am confident that I can defeat Chi Yao, wash away the century-long shame of my Tai Chi Sect being swept away, and avenge my late master!"
Chi Yao unified Kunlun and swept away all sects. Taiji Dao, once a top sect, was suppressed and destroyed, and its lineage was damaged. This is an eternal disgrace for the entire Taiji Dao.
Even though he knew that the Dao Emperor had not truly perished, he, as the current Dao Lord, had to personally avenge this great humiliation to his sect!
Zhenyu shook his head slightly, spoke calmly, and revealed the cruel truth in one sentence: "Silly child, your obsession runs too deep."
"Even if you cultivate the tenth level of the Bright Jade Technique, you still cannot defeat Chi Yao."
"She is the pride of this era, blessed with good fortune, vast resources, unparalleled combat skills, and a perfect Dao heart. No one in the same realm can stop her. Compared to her, you are inferior in talent, fortune, and combat power."
"Your only chance of winning is to break through to the Divine Realm before her, and use the Divine Path to suppress the Saint Path, only then will you have a fighting chance."
Mingyu Zhenjun's body trembled, and he fell into a long silence.
He was well aware of the vast gap between them.
However, he and Chi Yao were both geniuses of their generation, and if he were to become fearful and retreat without ever having fought, his Dao heart would be incomplete for life, with no chance of ever achieving perfection, and his path in martial arts would be completely cut off.
Zhenyu understood his obsession and did not continue to attack him.
This child possesses exceptional comprehension, can create his own cultivation techniques, and has outstanding talent. He is a rare and exceptional talent in the Taoist sect and deserves careful cultivation.
His gaze swept across the distant void, overlooking the entire Kunlun Realm, and he slowly spoke: "The situation in Kunlun has changed, and the aftershocks of the chaos are about to rise. This world will soon become completely bustling."
"I will give you a chance, and I will also give Ling Xiu, Kong Lanyou, Si Chan and the rest of the group a chance."
"All of you will have the opportunity to face Chi Yao head-on. This will be your last chance to compete with Chi Yao in your lives."
Mingyu Zhenjun's pupils suddenly contracted, his mind was shaken, and he instantly understood the unspoken meaning: Empress Chi Yao was about to break through to the Divine Realm and ascend to the Divine Path.
Once she becomes a god, no one of her peers will be qualified to compete with her; they can only look up to her for the rest of their lives!
"Activate all the contingency plans that the sect had previously laid out ahead of schedule," Zhenyu solemnly ordered in a deep voice.
"With the Kunlun seal about to be lifted and a great upheaval in the heavens approaching, how much fortune Taiji Dao can seize and how much glory of its lineage can be restored in this unprecedented upheaval depends entirely on your methods as the Dao Master."
Zhenyu's own Dao originates from Taiji Dao, carrying the Daoist tradition. Naturally, he must do his best to support the rise of Daoism. Taiji Dao is his best talent pool. With the protagonist's luck, he can always cultivate a few powerful people.
Now, his four avatars have each attained the supreme Dao fruit: the Confucian body has cultivated into the Confucian Ancestor, the Buddha body has become the Buddha Ancestor, and the Demon body has realized the Dao and the Demon Source. Each of them has their own team, and it seems that he, the Dao Ancestor, is still relatively unknown.
With this chaotic world descending, he will strive to revitalize the Taiji Dao, rewrite the heavens' understanding of the Dao Ancestor's position, and change the declining state of the Daoist sect in the Kunlun Realm.
……
In Yunwu County, the winter sacrifice is approaching.
As the winter solstice approaches, the annual sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is about to begin. Only by gaining the approval of the divine realm and receiving the divine mark during the ceremony can one embark on the path of martial arts cultivation.
The entire royal city was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The whole country fasted, incense burned brightly, and people paid homage to heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather, a long and prosperous national fortune, and the flourishing of martial arts in the coming year.
Inside the palace, Zhang Ruochen straightened his robes, his heart filled with both trepidation and determination. This seemingly ordinary county-level sacrificial ceremony was his first step in defying fate, restarting his path, and breaking free from the shackles of destiny!
Meanwhile, those in the Kunlun Realm who were interested were also paying attention to this moment. The eyes of the Yin-Yang Sea, the Chaos Boundless Ruins, the Taiji Dao, the Central Imperial City, and the Endless Abyss were all focused on this small Heavenly Demon Ridge.
As the grand ceremony began, music and rituals resounded, people knelt in worship, and incense smoke soared into the sky, reaching the heavens and the earth.
Just before the ritual ended, a flawless, jade-like divine mark fell from the divine realm passage, piercing through layers of space and precisely imprinting itself on Zhang Ruochen's brow and soul.
The turbulent changes in the universe have officially begun at this moment!