God Emperor
chapter-657

The Gods' Mark could hide. Even Saints could not discover it.

How powerful was this gray-haired old Taoist's cultivation? How could he see Zhang Ruochen's Gods' Mark and even know that he had experienced four Chords of the Gods?

If he could see his Gods' Mark, surely he also saw Zhang Ruochen's true identity?

Zhang Ruochen was extremely nervous, yet his face still looked calm and collected.

The gray-haired old Taoist turned around and waved his hand. "Lin Yue, you've already earned three Sword Comprehensions. It doesn't matter whether they were from our three Patriarchs or not—you have to make good use of them. Leave now! Prepare for the upcoming grand sword contest. If you have time, visit the Ancient Gods Mountain. You may find it beneficial."

When he heard the gray-haired old Taoist address him as "Lin Yue," Zhang Ruochen finally relaxed. He realized the old man would not make things difficult for him.

Even so... why had he not exposed him on the spot?

Why did the gray-haired old Taoist trust him so much? How could he be sure Zhang Ruochen was not an undercover member of the Black Market or Demonic Sect?

Zhang Ruochen was baffled. He had conflicting emotions as he followed a narrow, shady path toward Zixia Sacred Mountain and left the Supreme Pure Palace.

He said to himself, "The Yin and Yang Sect is indeed full of undiscovered talents. My altered appearance may deceive Half-Saints and Saints, but not old superiors of incredible cultivation. I must continue practicing the Change of 36 Forms until I reach Big Success in the First Change. Only then can I disguise myself flawlessly."

When Zhang Ruochen returned to Zixia Sacred Mountain, he found Xun Hualiu waiting for him at his courtyard, seemingly unbothered by his injuries.

An obese young man was beside him. His rotund belly nearly burst his Taoist robe.

Zhang Ruochen looked at the man. He guessed that he was the third of the three romantic swordsmen, "Fat Mu" Mu Jiji. Xun Hualiu had mentioned him before.

Xun Hualiu looked extremely serious. "Boss Lin, I hear that you signed up for the sword contest of the Eighth Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm. Is it true?"

The three romantic swordsmen had once vowed that whoever had the highest cultivation would be called "Boss."

Mu Jiji was the former boss since he was the first to break into the Fish-Dragon Realm.

Things had changed now. Lin Yue had beaten a Saint's disciple of the Third Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm. He had surpassed Mu Jiji who was of the First Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm. He was now their true boss.

Zhang Ruochen nodded and answered. "Yes."

Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji looked at each other wryly.

Although they knew Lin Yue was now very powerful, they did not think he could beat Monks of the Eighth Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm.

Lin Yue was now the boss, however, so they could not say much.

Zhang Ruochen led them into a study. He sat down and glanced at Xun Hualiu. "I made a bet with Gai Hao. If you lose to Pang Long in the grand sword contest, I'll have to give him a Holy Sword."

"Pfff!"

Xun Hualiu had just sat down and was taking a sip of tea. He spat out the tea in his mouth in shock, spraying Fat Mu's face across him.

"Ahem! Boss Lin Yue, Master Lin Yue, would you stop joking? How can I beat Pang Long? You'll lose too much, betting a Holy Sword! If you have too many treasures, give your Holy Sword to Junior Sister Han Qiu. Maybe you can win her heart that way." Xun Hualiu pulled a long face.

Mu Jiji also felt that Lin Yue was crazy. "Boss Lin, although Xun Hualiu and Pang Long are both of the First Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm, there's a vast gap between their cultivations. Gai Hao will win your Holy Sword easily."

Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "I was confident when I made the bet. There's one more month before the sword contest. If Xun Hualiu's cultivation breaks into the Second Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm, he can easily beat Pang Long."

"It's not possible for a Monk to break into the Second Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm within a month." Mu Jiji immediately shook his head.

Zhang Ruochen hooked his finger and knocked the tabletop. "I won't force a complete stranger to do it, but it's our rare affinity to know one other. Now I am giving you two a chance. How you choose is completely up to you."

Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji felt Boss Lin meant something significant with these words.

To know each other is a rare affinity—that was as good as saying nothing, wasn't it?

After reflecting for 15 minutes, Xun Hualiu came to a decision first. "I'll say it again: If you can make me reach the Second Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm before the contest, you can do whatever you want with me. I'll risk my life to help you win the bet."

Mu Jiji smiled and said, "If you put it that way, count me in."

Zhang Ruochen said, "Very well since you two have made up your minds, I will assist you all the way. The two of you have reached the Fish-Dragon Realm while you are still very young. This means you have great potential. In fact, your potential exceeds those of many so-called geniuses. Once you realize three points, it won't be hard to beat Pang Long."

Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji asked together, "What three points?"

"First, improve your physical quality. You two should at least cultivate a treasured body.

"Second, switch to a different exercise. Practice an exercise of at least the King's Stage.

"Third, practice your willpower. You cannot succumb to women any more.

"I've already prepared a Five Elements Spirit Treasure, the Black Glazed Spinel. Once you have refined it, it's as good as having practiced for 10 years. You will cultivate a Treasured Body of Water Spirit as well.

"I have already prepared some King's Stage exercises as well. All you need to do is switch to a different exercise.

"I have also found you a teacher to monitor your training and help you practice your willpower. Blackie, I entrust them to you."

"Blackie?"

Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji looked out the door, eager to know who Boss Lin had invited.

A lazy voice rang out from the hall. "Make them reach the Second Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm within a month? That's too easy. No challenge for me at all."

The two of them focused their eyes on something lying on a table nearby. Their eyes widened in surprise when they realized that it was a fat black cat that had spoken.

How powerful could a cat possibly be?

Blackie said no more. He stood on his toes and dashed across, turning into a black streak of light. With lightning speed, he hit both Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji.

Both screamed hideously and crashed into the wall. They tumbled to the courtyard outside.

"I have already sealed your Meridians. From now on, each of you will carry a 50-ton weight. Now run around Zixia Sacred Mountain 20 times!"

Blackie had rushed out and was now standing on the top of the steps, growling loudly.

"How dare this fat cat sneak attack me— Ah... !"

Xun Hualiu had wanted to resist, but Blackie's paw knocked him into the air. He spun 720 degrees before landing with a thud.

Outside, the noise of merciless thrashing was heard. At first, Xun Hualiu and Mu Jiji screamed painfully, then, they begged for mercy.

Zhang Ruochen was confident of Blackie's abilities. He left the Black Glazed Spinel and two exercise manuals behind and then took out the Yin Yang Wooden Graph and entered the Scroll World.

"Where did the three Sword Comprehensions come from?"

He sat with his feet tucked beneath his legs under the Sacred Prime Tree. Zhang Ruochen placed both hands on his knees and began drawing Spiritual Power back to himself. He guided it down to the Qi Sea and started probing the three Sword Comprehensions.

The three Sword Comprehensions had turned into three turbulent streams of Qi. They shuttled around the Qi Sea, circling his Heart of the Sword.

Each stream of Qi was 20 kilometers long and 50 meters wide, resembling a great river.

"How strong and powerful the Sword Comprehensions are!"

Zhang Ruochen carefully controlled his Heart of the Sword, fashioning it into a small man. He tried gathering the three powerful Qi into it.

Zhang Ruochen's Heart of the Sword was weak compared to the three Sword Comprehensions—it was shattered by a Sword Qi and blown away.

Although his Heart of the Sword was hit by one of the Sword Comprehensions, Zhang Ruochen realized it had suffered just a little injury.

Inspiration suddenly flashed across his mind. The perplexing mysteries of the Tao of the sword suddenly became clear.

Zhang Ruochen continued to observe, reaching a very surprising conclusion.

When his Heart of the Sword was hit by a stream of Sword Comprehension, tiny fissures had appeared. These fissures seemed to be absorbing Qi from the Sword Comprehensions and repairing the Heart of the Sword!

"I see! These three Sword Comprehensions represent three teachers. If I can endure hardships and their strikes, I can learn the Tao of the sword from them."

The three Sword Comprehensions were not just imparting knowledge to Zhang Ruochen, they were also tempering, strengthening and purifying his Heart of the Sword.

There was only one month before the sword contest. Zhang Ruochen was short of time, so he tried multitasking with his powerful Spiritual Power.

Controlling his Heart of the Sword, he learned the Tao of the sword from the three Sword Comprehensions.

At the same time, he ingested some Xuanwu Sacred Blood. He refined its Spiritual Blood and Holy Qi and raised his cultivation.

Time flew. Two months quickly passed in the Scroll World.

Zhang Ruochen had refined one drop of Xuanwu Sacred Blood. He had raised his cultivation to the Mid Stage of the Fourth Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm. He was now in the fifth realm of Sword One.

Another two months passed.

Zhang Ruochen had refined his second drop of Xuanwu Sacred Blood. His cultivation once again improved. He had now reached the Advanced Stage of the Fourth Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm and the sixth realm of Sword One.

Another two months passed.

Zhang Ruochen had refined his third drop of Xuanwu Sacred Blood. He was now at the Peak of the Fourth Change in the Fish-Dragon Realm and the seventh realm of Sword One.