“It’s too quiet!”

For several days, no cultivators came to block their path.

It was unusually quiet.

Zhang Ruochen knew that the more it continued like this, the higher the possibility that there was a storm brewing ahead. It was very likely that the Fane of Destiny had set up an inescapable net in the Oort Cloud Asteroid Belt.

If it were him, he would definitely not continue forward in such a high-profile manner. He would turn around, return to Hoth and leave from there.

No one knew how terrifying the inside information that the Fane of Destiny possesses was.

If the Fane of Destiny wanted to kill someone, even if that person was truly invincible to anything below divinity, it would still be difficult for them to escape death.

Bai Qing’er was clearly injured but did not hesitate. She headed towards the Oort Cloud Asteroid Belt, which was equivalent to declaring war on the Fane of Destiny and all the significant forces in the Infernal Court on her own.

She wanted to make up for her defects in the Banshi Isshou Realm and reach the heights of Xue Jue and Huang Tian. This was the only path for her.

She could only advance and not retreat.

Zhang Ruochen stepped into the Sevenstar Imperial Palace, one of the Sevenstar Imperial Palace halls. He saw that Bai Qing’er was not practicing her cultivation or tending to her wounds. Instead, she used a bamboo knife to turn the soil for six pots of orchids.

The six pots of orchids were planted in purple clay pots. They were carefully cared for, and the flowers had bloomed brightly.

However, Zhang Ruochen knew that they fed on the Saint Souls of Saint-level cultivators and needed the blood of Supreme Saint and deities to irrigate them. They were six extremely vicious plants.

They would probably be more terrifying if they attacked than if Shang Yue and Shang Xia did.

Bai Qing’er said, “I heard you have a Saint Devourer?”

Zhang Ruochen stopped five steps behind her and said, “My Saint Devourer can’t compare to your six rare species that have lived for more than a Yuanhui period. However, it is growing quite good.”

“Do you know how to tend to flowers?” Bai Qing’er asked.

Zhang Ruochen shook his head with a smile.

What a joke. He had raised the Saint Devourer wholly to strengthen his combat power and was not in the mood to tend to flowers.

The Saint Devourer was also a plant that was evil and fierce. However, Zhang Ruochen had firmly controlled its ferocity. It could not do evil and harm innocent creatures.

Bai Qing’er said to herself, “It’s good to raise flowers but better not cultivate a physical body. It’s at the purest when it’s still a flower. You can tell them anything; they’ll always listen to you silently. They won’t ask questions, laugh at, refute, betray, or abandon you.”

“What’s the difference between this and talking to yourself?” Zhang Ruochen asked.

Bai Qing’er turned around and said, “See, you’re refuting me now!”

“Why can’t you accept refutation from others? A person who decides and acts alone will never be happy, no matter how powerful he is,” Zhang Ruochen said.

Bai Qing’er asked, “Are you happy?”

Zhang Ruochen was struck speechless.

“The world is a sea of bitterness. No one can be truly happy. The more unwilling an ordinary person is, the more painful it is. Rather than saying that the reason for cultivation is to live forever, it is better to say that it is to cross the sea of bitterness and find a paradise of joy that might exist on the other side,” Bai Qing’er said.

Zhang Ruochen found that Bai Qing’er was very different from usual today. She was very relaxed and peaceful, without a trace of hostility. Her temper was so sweet that people could not help but feel adoration for her.

It was like a warm breeze in winter or a cool shade in summer.

No wonder Gong Nanfeng had said that no man in the world could refuse Empress Bai.

As the daughter of Empress Bai, Bai Qing’er seemed to have inherited her mother’s unique temperament and charm.

It was terrible for a woman who could kill as she pleased. She was insidious and decisive, so for her to be able to control her hostility completely was frightening indeed.

Zhang Ruochen said, “I’m not here to discuss the Path with you. Now tell me, where is my teacher? I want to see him.”

“Why should I let you see him?”

Bai Qing’er was cold and detached. She continued to stir up the soil of the orchids.

“Shang Xia and Shang Yue are both in my hands. They are both Supreme Saints of the Banshi Isshou Realm. It wouldn’t be too much to exchange them for a spiritual-power Saint King, would it?” Zhang Ruochen asked.

Bai Qing’er said, “You’ve made a mistake!”

“Have I?” Zhang Ruochen asked.

Bai Qing’er said, “First of all, Teacher Shangguan is no longer a Saint King, but a spiritual power Supreme Saint.”

“Second, if I want to take Shang Xia and Shang Yue back from you, you won’t be able to resist. With our current difference, even if the Intergold Tiger helps you, it won’t be of any use.”

“Thirdly, I didn’t ask you to let Shang Yue and Shang Xia go because I was waiting for you to offer to exchange hostages with me. Since you offered, it means that Shangguan is much more important to you than Shang Xia and Shang Yue are to me. So, you have to pay a higher price before I can let him go.”

…

“Since you already call him teacher, you should respect your elders.”

Zhang Ruochen had already guessed that Bai Qing’er’s mastery of the Path of Confucianism was most likely due to professor Shangguan Que’s instructions.

There was a saying in Path of Confucianism that said, “Education is for everyone.”

A true great Confucian would not refuse to teach Confucianism just because the other party was rich, poor, wise, foolish, good, or evil. He will not discriminate against monsters, land creatures, or even those that fly.

Their natures were similar, but their habits were far apart.

All living beings had good natures within them.

Bai Qing’er said, “Where did you see that I disrespect my teacher? Besides, you had called me a witch. Why should I show respect to my teacher? Can’t I just disobey the rules?”

Zhang Ruochen knew that Bai Qing’er’s words were sharp. He stopped arguing with her and said, “What price do you want me to pay?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet. How about you promise to do something for me?” Bai Qing’er said.

Zhang Ruochen said, “What is it?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet either. I will tell you when I finish thinking about it,” Bai Qing’er said.

Zhang Ruochen refused decisively. “No.”

“Then there’s no need to discuss anymore. Shang Yue and Shang Xia are both beauties. You can do whatever you want with them. Just don’t kill them,” Bai Qing’er said.

Zhang Ruochen knew how difficult it was to nurture two Supreme Saints into the Banshi Isshou Realm. They weren’t comparable to the Supreme Saint slaves that she had controlled with her dream world.

He had never thought Bai Qing’er would abandon them like they were nothing.

Or…

Was she faking it?

Bai Qing’er seemed to have seen through Zhang Ruochen’s thoughts and said, “The children I raised have grown wings. Sooner or later, they will fly away from me. Besides that, Shang Xia’s heart is no longer with me. She has long fallen in love with men. As for Shang Yue… Her temperament is a little poorer. Since you captured her, she most likely failed to beat you in a fight. Has she submitted to you yet?”

“Teacher Shangguan said that the hardest thing in the world is not to fight with people but to educate them.”

“I agree with that.”

“There are times when even a god can be killed. But it’s harder to carve out a person’s temperament or influence people’s nature than to kill gods. There is no answer to what is good or evil, nor right and wrong.”

“Zhang Ruochen, it is good that they are with you. I have started to understand a lot about you, and I think that your heart is softer than mine, so you will probably treat them well.”

Zhang Ruochen said, “You have said too much today.”

“Because too few people are qualified to talk to me face to face! There are some things that I want to say to others, but there are none qualified to listen. In the end, I can only tell it to them.” Bai Qing’er looked over at the six pots of orchids.

It was evident that Bai Qing’er had recognized Zhang Ruochen’s strength and no longer looked down on him like before.

The strength here did not only refer to cultivation and talent but also included temperament, spirit, and wisdom.

Zhang Ruochen said, “But why do I feel like you are telling me your last words?”

“The road to the Fane of Origin is a dead end, and I must walk through it to survive. Is there anyone that can see the future clearly? What if I don’t survive through this.”

A hint of sadness appeared in Bai Qing’er’s startling eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

Zhang Ruochen said, “Aren’t you always very confident?”

“Only those with less confidence can appear confident to others. To tell you the truth, I don’t have any confidence in reaching the heights of Xue Jue and Huang Tian,” Bai Qing’er said.

Zhang Ruochen’s eyes had a peculiar expression in them. He hadn’t expected Bai Qing’er to say such a thing.

Was this the real her?

As expected, only through closer acquaintance could one understand a person. Otherwise, what one sees might only be the surface.

“Creating this chaotic situation is like dancing on the tip of a knife. If I’m not careful, I’ll be crushed into pieces. But I have to be confident and keep telling myself that I have to be confident. There’s a saying that says a man can conquer nature, right? Compared to dying, I am even more unwilling to be a submissive and mediocre person. As if to be controlled by someone, I would rather control their life and death. Even if a deity stands before me, I must move forward without turning back.”

Gradually, the sadness and melancholy on Bai Qing’er’s body disappeared. Instead, her spirits rose like a rusty sword piercing through the heavens, and she said coldly, “Since you are already here, please come in!”

Her voice traveled out of the Sevenstar Imperial Palace and into the vast universe.

Bai Qing’er walked out of the Hall of Cultivation and went to the main hall of the Sevenstar Imperial Palace.

Zhang Ruochen’s Heart of Truth also sensed it. With a puzzled look in his eyes, he quickly followed her out.

“What happened, brother Ruochen? has the army of the Fane of Destiny finally come?” Gong Nanfeng asked happily.

Zhang Ruochen didn’t want to pay attention to him, but he thought of something and quickly stopped him. He said with concern, “It’s not the army of the Fane of Destiny, but the person who came is no weak being. Once a battle breaks out, the aftermath of the battle will make you die without anything left for burial.”

“Then what should we do?” Gong Nanfeng was shocked.

“Don’t panic. I’ll take care of everything.”

Zhang Ruochen took out the Violet Gourd and said, “This is the Supreme Artifact, and you’ll go in first. I’ll protect you.”

“Good! Brother Ruochen, you are indeed very honorable and righteous. I could never repay your kindness!” Gong Nanfeng’s eyes were red, and he was almost moved to tears.

After putting Gong Nanfeng into the Violet Gourd, Zhang Ruochen entered the main hall.

He saw Fei Zhong standing on the right side of Bai Qing’er with a battle ax in his hand. His eyes were shining brightly as he looked straight in the direction of the palace gate.

Outside the palace gate, it was pitch-black and deep like an endless void.

Thud!

A deep sound rang out, and the Sevenstar Imperial Palace shooked slightly.

Thud!

Thud!

…

The Sevenstar Imperial Palace shook continuously as the sound became clearer and louder.

Outside the palace gate, an ancient figure walked up the stairs with a wooden staff in her hand. She staggered towards the main hall with her hunched over and bent body all dressed in red.

Every time the wooden staff touched the ground, spherical spatial ripples would appear, causing the hall to shake.

Zhang Ruochen called out softly, “Granny,” he said.

It was Granny Begonia.

She was a seven-colored Begonia and also the guardian of the Sword Pavilion.

When Zhang Ruochen had entered the Sword Pavilion to learn the sword and comprehend the Wordless Sword Manual, Granny Begonia had taught him for nine days and nine nights. She was an important guide for Zhang Ruochen in his cultivation process.

In the main hall, the fragrance of flowers floated and formed the shadows of petals.

Granny Begonia smiled at Zhang Ruochen with a kind and wrinkled face.

Bai Qing’er can see that Granny Begonia was not someone ordinary and said, “You dare to break into the Sevenstar Imperial Palace as a lone Begonia?”

“The Sevenstar Imperial Palace is the palace of the younger generation in my family. Why would I not dare to enter it?” Granny Begonia coughed twice.

Bai Qing’er said, “Then, are you here as a guest?”

“I guess so!”

“Since you’re here as a guest, why do you need to bring a helper?”

Bai Qing’er’s gaze was fixed on something outside the palace.

She saw a tall and straight man in white standing there with a stone sword in his hand. His long hair fluttered around even without wind. He was a Xue Lingxian in the form of a human, not of a human head with a snake body.

He was just standing there, with an ancient aura pouring from his body.

Both of his silver eyes were like two piercing divine swords. Fei Zhong only had to exchange a glance with him, and he felt a piercing pain in his eyes as if his head was about to be torn apart.

“Why are there so many terrifying elites suddenly appearing? Each one of them defies the laws of nature under the sky.” Fei Zhong felt helpless inside. He only thought that this trip to the Infernal Court had been a great blow to him.

As the most influential figure of the Dwarfs, he was like a king descended from heaven wherever he went and was worshiped by all living beings. He rarely met a cultivator who could defeat him.

However, he could not defeat any of the cultivators he had met in the past few days. All of his arrogance had been completely wiped out.

Xue Lingxian’s gaze fell on Zhang Ruochen, and he said. “What’s your relationship with her?”

Now that the person he was waiting for had arrived, Zhang Ruochen could not be bothered to pretend anymore and replied, “She’s my enemy, a very powerful enemy.”

The reason why he emphasized the word “powerful” was to remind Xue Lingxian and Granny Begonia so that they would not underestimate Bai Qing’er’s strength.

Fei Zhong was surprised. Apparently, he did not expect that Zhang Ruochen, who had always said he would marry Bai Qing’er, would suddenly reveal his true colors.

However, Bai Qing’er was calm and collected, “It’s good that you could admit this. I like you more when you’re open and honest. You seem fake when you pretend to be humble. It is so fake that I can see through it with just a glance, so it’s very annoying.”

“Really? In the future… If there’s a future, I’ll try to be more real in front of you. Otherwise, you might look down on me!” Zhang Ruochen laughed.

Bai Qing’er said, “Since we are enemies, there is no need to say anything more. The two elders of Kunlun are here. Finally, it seems that someone has stood up for you. How about we end this today?”

Her words were sarcastic and mocking. It was in the usual style of that woman.

However, Zhang Ruochen did not seem to understand it and said, “Although you have tried to kill me many times, in the end, I was the one who ruined your work first. It’s a win-win situation for both of us. I’m still alive and well, so I don’t want to have a deeper enmity with you. If possible, I would hope to turn our hostility into friendship.”

No one wanted to be enemies with a Yuanhui level genius, especially when the hatred was not deep yet.

For example, many forces who had a deep enmity with Zhang Ruochen intended to resolve their hatred after Zhang Ruochen integrated with sixth-grade Saintwill.

At that time, Zhang Ruochen had not yet reached the Great Perfection of the Hundred-Shackle Realm. He was even ranked very low on the Divine Ascension Ranking. The Zhang Ruochen at that time could not be compared to the Bai Qing’er now.

No one wanted to be her enemy.

Bai Qing’er said, “I’m afraid it won’t be that easy to turn hostility into friendship. Don’t you want to take back the Tensho Compass and the superior-grade Divine Crystal of Origin?”

“Of course, I want to take them back. Moreover, you have to let my teacher go,” Zhang Ruochen said.

Bai Qing’er said, “You caused me to lose hundreds of thousands of Godstones in the Divine Domain of Destiny and killed many of my subordinates. How should I settle this score? Also, shouldn’t you tell me where the Seven-Armed Elder is?”

“Why are you haggling over every little thing?” Zhang Ruochen asked.

Bai Qing’er said, “Give me the Tensho Compass and the superior-grade Divine Crystal of Origin. Also, help me keep my secret and promise to do one thing for me. Then, I won’t haggle over every little matter, and I can forgive everything.”

Hearing the words “Tensho Compass,” Granny Granny Begonia and Xue Lingxian were emotionally moved and looked at each other.