Chapter 2176: The Ninth Region of the Sea

While Zhang Ruochen was thinking, Xiang Chunan and Feng Yan also defeated the gatekeeper one after another. It was done neatly and looked as if they did it effortlessly.

Feng Yan smiled bitterly and said, “The two of you are good. I’ll treat you both to some drinks later.”

Although there was only a slight difference in their time, he still lost, so could only accept his defeat.

“Haha, Second Brother is treating us to some drinks, we’ll need to have lots of good wine,” Xiang Chunan couldn’t help but laugh.

He was truly a heavy drinker. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten thrown into the Celestial Domain of Truth by his master for being drunk.

Zhang Ruochen said, “Let’s continue crossing the sea first.”

With that, Zhang Ruochen steered his Boat of Truth and smoothly passed through the light screen in front of him, entering the eighth region of the sea.

When Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan saw this, they didn’t hesitate and immediately followed suit. Their goal this time was naturally not just to cross the seventh region of the sea.

The limit of a Saint King was the seventh region of the sea, but that was only for ordinary Saint Kings. They definitely didn’t belong to this category.

The eighth region of the sea was testing their limits, the difficulty of crossing the sea had multiplied. The waves were extremely powerful and repeatedly crashed against their Boat of Truths.

However, Zhang Ruochen was like an unmoving divine mountain. He suppressed the movement of his Boat of Truth, it didn’t move at all albeit the crashing waves.

His goal was to cross the tenth region of the sea. If the seventh region was considered troublesome, how could he continue to cross the other regions?

Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan’s Boat of Truths started rocking slightly but were quickly stabilized

After entering this region of the sea, Zhang Ruochen’s distance from Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan gradually increased. He took the lead and arrived at the entrance within 30 minutes.

The light screen in front of him shot out dazzling beams of holy light. The beams of light interweaved one another before condensing into an illusory Saint General donned in silver armor. He looked real and solid, exuding a vast Saint aura. His power was unfathomable.

When the illusory Saint General made his move, the Precepts of the water nature in heaven and earth were completely mobilized. Huge waves that were hundreds of feet high rose up on the surface of the sea, they carried unparalleled holy power and slapped towards Zhang Ruochen.

Zhang Ruochen appeared very calm. He took a drop of water from the sea and flicked it out with his finger.

The drop of water was under the effect of his holy Qi and Power of Dimensions, it instantly transformed into a huge world that swallowed the illusory Saint General and the huge waves he created.

The world he created seemed very fragile but was in fact extremely tough. It did not break despite the illusory Saint General’s vicious attacks.

In the next moment, the world formed from the water droplet was compressed rapidly. A destructive power was exerted onto the illusory Saint General.

BOOM!

In the blink of an eye, the illusory Saint General’s body exploded and turned into beams of holy light again, disappearing into the light screen in front of him.

The surface of the sea was calm once more, it was as if nothing had happened.

This scene livened up those by the shore of the Sea of Truth.

“Zhang Ruochen is so strong, he defeated the gatekeeper of the eighth region so easily. It seems that he really has a chance to break through to the tenth region.”

“You’re naïve. Zhang Ruochen hasn’t even formed Realm-frame of Truth, him crossing the ninth region is already a problem, the tenth region is overreaching.”

“You’re right. The ninth region of the Sea of Truth is very different from the previous eight regions. It’s a basic condition to have the Realm-frame of Truth. Even Zhang Ruochen would have a hard time overcoming this rule.”

“Even the most invincible strength after the Supreme Saint won’t necessarily work at the Sea of Truth. Zhang Ruochen is destined to be inferior to the Archangel Michael here.”

..

While everyone was busy discussing, Zhang Ruochen was frowning in front of the light screen. Just like before, he still did not get the reward of the Canon of Truth despite passing this region.

“What went wrong? Perhaps there is no Canon of Truth at the Sea of Truth? Or is it because I have acquired enough Canon of Truth?” Zhang Ruochen was filled with doubt.

One of the main purposes of his trip to the Sea of Truth was to get more Canon of Truth so that he could comprehend the Path more easily.

The Canon of Truth was very magical. Even if it only increased by one-thousandth, it could lead to many incredible changes.

“If I can’t acquire more Canon of Truth, I’ll have to find a way to get the reward from the Fane of Truth,” Zhang Ruochen thought.

Then, he set sail again and steered his Boat of Truth through the light screen and into the ninth region of the sea.

At this time, the cultivators on the shore paid even more attention to him.

“Chen Jing, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed soon. Zhang Ruochen doesn’t have much hope to cross this region, let alone the tenth region of the sea.”

“Zhang Ruochen chose to cross the sea after Michael has crossed the ninth region. If he fails, it’ll affect his reputation. It’s not wise.”

Qie Huairou shook her head repeatedly.

Like most people, she didn’t think highly of Zhang Ruochen when it came to crossing the Sea of Truth. It wasn’t that she looked down on him, nor was it because of prejudice. She was just judging the matter on its merits, she didn’t believe that someone could break the established rules.

The Maiden of a Thousand Stars smiled and said, “Shall we make a bet? Let’s bet on whether Zhang Ruochen can cross the ninth region.”

“Sure. What do you want to bet?” Qie Huairou showed great interest.

The Maiden of a Thousand Stars thought for a moment and said, “Haven’t you wanted my Heavenly Feather Coat for a long time? If you win, I’ll give it to you. But if you lose…”

“I know what you want. If I lose, I’ll give you my Celestial Flute,” Qie Huairou interrupted.

A sly glint flashed across the Maiden of a Thousand Stars’s eyes. “Then it’s settled.”

“I’ll personally take the Heavenly Feather Coat off of you later. Don’t be shy then,” Qie Huairou laughed.

The Thousand Stars Maiden didn’t say anything else and just stared at Zhang Ruochen. What others said did not matter to her, she believed that Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t be stopped by the ninth region.

Whoosh.

Several streaks of light flew out of the Temple of truth and landed on the shore of the Sea of truth. They turned into five figures, all of them were donned in blue robes with crane motifs—which indicated their identities—they were the Divine Scions of the Fane of Truth.

The person in the lead was a woman with a graceful figure and legs that were long and straight. She wore a veil and gave off an exquisite aura, it was as if she were like an ethereal goddess and no one could profane her.

She was none other than Feng Yan’s sister, Feng Xi.

Feng Xi had a very high position in the Temple of truth. Other than the Ten Divine Scions, not many people were more superior than her.

Feng Xi was not like the others. When she came to the Sea of Truth, her first focus wasn’t Zhang Ruochen but Feng Yan.

Feng Yan was currently at the eighth region’s entrance fighting fiercely with the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper at his region was extremely powerful and couldn’t be defeated as easily as the ones before this.

However, after exchanging hundreds of moves, Feng Yan finally used a wondrous technique recorded in the Nüwa Scripture. The gatekeeper was beaten into smithereens.

Feng Xi couldn’t help but smile as she watched the scene. This time, Feng Yan didn’t disappoint her and didn’t disgrace the Feng family.

Those who were able to cross the eighth layer of the Sea of truth were already considered to be the best among the many Divine Scions. After all, even most of the Ten Divine Scions had only crossed the eighth layer of the sea.

A majority of the Divine Scions could only cross the seventh layer of the sea, and that was already magnificent.

The reason why Feng Xi had such a high status in the Fane of Truth was not only because of her background, but also because she had already crossed the eighth region of the sea and reached the entrance of the ninth region.

“Junior brother Feng Yan is truly amazing. He caught up to us despite coming later, he puts us seniors to shame.”A Divine Scion behind Feng Xi sighed.

Another Divine Scion, Yan Shiju, had a surprised expression and said, “Junior brother Feng Yan is very talented. He was able to cultivate the Nüwa Scripture to such a level. The Feng family’s three heads and six arms truly lives up to its reputation.”

Feng Yan’s status in the Feng family had always been very special. After all, he had inherited Three Heads and Six Arms from the Feng family’s ancestor—Feng Shen. As a result, he had received the attention of many people, making him feel pressured, he had to do his best in everything.

Although Feng Xi was very satisfied with Feng Yan’s performance this time, she kept a calm exterior and said, “He’s still far from reaching the region that the ancestor expects of him.”

She was telling the truth. Over the years, there had never been a junior that Feng Shen valued as much as Feng Yan. He had personally nurtured him since he was young, his treatment was even better than a deity’s.

Feng Xi turned her gaze to the ninth region of the sea.

At this moment, Zhang Ruochen was about to reach the entrance of the ninth region of the sea.

“The strongest person after the Supreme Saint is indeed powerful. His Boat of Truth can travel so smoothly and quickly even after entering the ninth region of the sea.”

“It’s useless even if it’s fast. He can’t possibly cross the ninth region without the Realm-frame of Truth. Unless Zhang Ruochen joins the Fane of Truth, he’ll be stuck at this region for the rest of his life.”

“With Zhang Ruochen’s strength, even condensing the weakest Realm-frame of Truth should enable him to cross the ninth region of the sea. What a pity.”

The few Divine Scions behind Feng Xi spoke one after another.

It was the common understanding of almost all the Divine Scions of the Temple of truth that one had to condense the Realm-frame of Truth to cross the ninth region of the sea. This understanding had long been ingrained in their minds and could not be changed.

Feng Xi did not speak, but she had a feeling that Zhang Ruochen’s crossing of the sea would probably surprise many people.

“Huh? Who is that?”

Suddenly, Feng Xi looked at the seventh region of the sea.

When she looked over, she happened to see a tall and burly figure. He had punched the gatekeeper of the seventh region of the sea into pieces. It was truly simple yet brutal.

This person was naturally Xiang Chunan’s junior sister apprentice, Qing Sixue.

It was her first time crossing the Sea of Truth. She clearly had no experience, but she was extremely fast and seemed unstoppable. There was almost no delay on the way.

Xiang Chunan had just crossed the eighth region of the sea when Qing Sixue caught up with him.

With her current speed, crossing the eighth layer of the sea should not be a difficult task.

Feng Xi’s eyes glinted with divine light as she stared at Qing Sixue. She muttered, “She’s at least a Supreme Saint in the Hundred-Shackle Realm. Her attainments of Precepts are extremely high. Why haven’t I seen her before?”

Her status made her extremely familiar with the geniuses who cultivated at the Celestial Domain of Truth. However, she had never heard of Qing Sixue at all. It was as if Qing Sixue had appeared out of thin air.

Yan Shiju said, “I’ve just asked some people and none of them know the background of this Supreme Saint. However, Feng Yan seemed to be with her previously.”

Feng Xi’s heart could not help but shiver when she heard this, she vaguely thought of something.

Just as Feng Xi had expected, Qing Sixue did not expend too much energy and crossed the eighth region of the sea. She appeared to be having an easier time compared to Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan.

“My God, there are actually four people entering the ninth layer of the sea at the same time. They are basically monsters.”

Some cultivators couldn’t help but let out sounds of astonishment.

Many people came to the Sea of Truth every day, but such a scene was not a common one.

At the entrance of the ninth region, Zhang Ruochen turned his head. His gaze swept past Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan before finally locking onto Qing Sixue.

He could faintly feel the aura of a Supreme Saint from Qing Sixue. Zhang Ruochen couldn’t help but look surprised, “Chu Nan’s junior sister apprentice is actually a Supreme Saint. Just like Chu Nan, she acquired profound attainments in Path of Truth as soon as she came to the Celestial Domain of Truth. Who are her parents?”

Before this, Zhang Ruochen didn’t notice that Qing Sixue had been restraining her aura completely.

Moreover, with her status as Xiang Chunan’s junior sister apprentice, it was difficult for anyone to connect her cultivation to one of a Supreme Saint.

Even with Zhang Ruochen’s current cultivation and strength, he still could not see through Qing Sixue at all. He could not be sure what region she had reached.

However, there was one thing that Zhang Ruochen was sure of, he was currently absolutely no match for Qing Sixue.

Zhang Ruochen gazed at her for a moment before turning his gaze back to the light screen in front of him.

Their Boat of Truths sailed a little further. Suddenly, the gatekeepers of this region condensed.

The powerful holy aura emanating from his body alone was enough to rival, or even surpass, the top masters of the first level below the Supreme Saint.

More importantly, there was extremely solid land under the gatekeeper’s feet. The land gave off an extremely overwhelming aura, it was as it could swallow anything.

“The Realm-frame of Truth is the soil beneath his feet,” Zhang Ruochen whispered.

He had come into contact with the Realm-frame of Truth a long time ago. It was when he had entered the Divinity Bestowment Altar and fought with Yu Wenjing, a Divine Scion. At that time, Yu Wenjing’s strongest technique was the Realm-frame of Truth, but it was the worst “Heavens Up Above.”.

Not long ago, Nie Xiangzi had fought with Lord Xue Chen outside of the Central Imperial City and used a top-class Realm-frame of Truth, “Boundless Starry Sea”.

Zhang Ruochen felt a strong pressure as he faced the gatekeeper’s Realm-frame of Truth, it affected the circulation of the holy Qi in his body.

The Realm-frame of Truth could not only allow cultivators to unleash attacks that were multiple times stronger at will, but it was also a powerful attack method. It was not an ordinary method that one could resist.

At this moment, many cultivators by the shore of the Sea of Truth were staring at Zhang Ruochen, each of them had different thoughts.

“With the Realm-frame of Truth, the gatekeeper can mobilize the power contained in the Sea of Truth to his heart’s content. Only those who have the Realm-frame of Truth can resist it, Zhang Ruochen will definitely lose against him.”

“Zhang Ruochen is the Scion of Time and Space, he might be able to break the cycle.”

“Time and space are both ancient Paths. However, in the Sea of Truth, they are also suppressed by the Path of Truth so their powers are greatly reduced. In short, any means is useless against the Realm-frame of Truth.”

“I’m curious, how many rounds can Zhang Ruochen fight against the gatekeeper of this region? I hope he won’t lose too quickly.”