It has been twenty-four days outside, but inside the Time-Space Crystal, more than two months have passed.

  The cultivation of a false god's body was smoother than expected, even more perfect than Zhang Ruochen had anticipated.

  In his previous life, Zhang Ruochen had never cultivated a pseudo-divine body. After all, with his identity in his previous life, he could obtain any cultivation resources at will, and there was no need to plunder the power of sacrifice.

  The first cultivation was so successful that Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed.

  To cultivate the pseudo-divine body, Zhang Ruochen's martial soul had merged with sixty-three and a half drops of semi-sacred blood and three stalks of divine dwelling grass. With his current martial soul intensity, he had already surpassed the martial soul of a Tianji Boundary Great Perfection warrior.

  As soon as he released his martial soul, everything in the entire palace appeared in his mind's eye, just like he was seeing it with his own eyes.

  "In the entire royal palace, there are actually four martial arts legends at the Tianji boundary. The foundation of the royal family is indeed not as simple as it appears on the surface."

  Zhang Ruochen felt four powerful auras in the imperial palace, among which the strongest one came from the depths of Tianzi Mountain. That aura was much stronger than Yun Wugou's.

  Zhang Ruochen recalled his martial soul and didn't dare to rashly disturb those four legendary warriors at the Tianji boundary. After all, the spiritual power of Tianji boundary warriors exceeded twenty levels, their perception was very strong, if Zhang Ruochen's martial soul got too close to them, it would definitely be discovered.

  "I'm now using the Wu Soul to control the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, unleashing the 'Lightning Halberd'. With just one strike, I should be able to kill that demonic witch from back then."

  Zhang Ruochen still sat cross-legged on the ground, emitting an extremely powerful aura from his body. Above his head, a huge golden light ring appeared, making him look like a young divine spirit sitting at the center of heaven and earth.

  It is known that a martial soul is the soul of a martial artist. Since Zhang Ruochen's martial soul has become stronger, the spiritual will that he unintentionally emits from his body will also become stronger.

  In other words, as long as Zhang Ruochen uses the power of his martial soul, even if it's just a glance, he can subdue ordinary Earth Realm warriors.

  In fact, the fake god's body refers to Zhang Ruochen's martial soul, not his physical body.

  "Wow"

  Zhang Ruochen retracted his martial soul, and the powerful aura that had originally dispersed outside his body immediately converged back into his body like a tide, disappearing without a trace.

  Now Zhang Ruochen looks completely introverted and no longer has that strong momentum from just now.

  As long as he doesn't intentionally release his martial soul, outsiders will be completely unaware of the change in him.

  "Martial arts cultivation has indeed improved a bit, but to break through the late stage of the Earthly Boundary, it still requires borrowing the power of sacrifice."

  Zhang Ruochen stood up and walked out of the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal Stone, heading towards the Jade Washing Palace.

  "The Ninth Prince's Seclusion Has Ended"

  Two young palace maids, competing with each other, hastily brought the news before Consort Lin.

  Almost simultaneously, Zhang Ruochen walked into the palace and paid his respects to Lin Fei: "Greetings, Mother."

  It's not just Lin Fei, Huang Yanchen is actually sitting next to Lin Fei, brewing tea for her. She sits leisurely on the ground, her movements extremely elegant, beautiful like a painting.

  Zhang Ruochen couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder, as the normally hot-tempered Huang Shijie was actually having such a quiet moment, showcasing the elegant demeanor of a noble princess to perfection.

  "Whoosh"

  When Zhang Ruochen walked in, Huang Yanchen stretched out two jade fingers, picked up a teacup, filled it with hot tea, and presented it to Zhang Ruochen with both hands.

  Zhang Ruochen saw Huang Yanchen's gentle appearance, and was slightly stunned at first. Then, after taking the teacup, he lightly took a sip.

  Hot tea enters the body, and the meridians and blood vessels inside are as if completely opened. The pores relax, and the whole body feels indescribably comfortable, as if every cell is breathing.

  Good tea

  Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes and felt a clarity in his mind as the true energy inside him flowed at an increased speed.

  For warriors, the effect of this tea is not very good.

  But for ordinary people like Lin Fei, the effect of this cup of tea is more beneficial than those Ganoderma and ginseng.

  Moreover, the medicinal properties of tea water are mild and gentle, making it a veritable ambrosia for ordinary people. If consumed over a long period, it will undoubtedly prolong one's lifespan and enable an ordinary person's physical strength to reach that of a top-notch martial artist.

  Huang Yanchen smiled and said in a voice as melodious as heavenly music, "This tea is called Baiheye, it was specially brought from Qianshui Prefecture by my men, a total of thirty kilograms were brought back, enough for Your Ladyship to drink for ten years."

  Zhang Ruochen put down his teacup and smiled: "Sister Huang is actually still a master of tea, but I didn't notice it before."

  Lin Fei felt somewhat displeased and said, "Since you're already engaged, how can you still call her 'Sister'? Yanchen Junzhu is a kind-hearted and gentle lady. Not only is she beautiful, but her family background is also extremely prestigious. I don't know what good fortune you've encountered to gain Yanchen Junzhu's favor. From now on, you must treat her well; otherwise, I won't let you off."

  Lin Fei increasingly adored Huang Yanchen, thinking that Huang Yanchen was a celestial maiden from heaven, perfect like unblemished jade, without a single flaw. Even when she fell asleep, Lin Fei would think about having such a beautiful and elegant daughter-in-law and couldn't help but wake up with a smile.

  Zhang Ruochen said: "Mother, don't worry, I have always had a very good relationship with Yanchen Junzhu."

  Huang Yanchen's eyes lightly glanced at Zhang Ruochen and softly said: "Your Highness, I'll take my leave first."

  "Dust, aren't you going to send off the Marquis of Songjun?" Lin Fei gave Zhang Ruochen a resentful glare.

  Zhang Ruochen smiled and stood up, making a polite gesture towards Huang Yanchen, saying: "Your Ladyship, please"

  Huang Yanchen's eyebrows slightly raised, and he gazed at Zhang Ruochen with a hint of complacency before walking out.

  After leaving the Jade Washing Palace, Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious and he said, "Huang Shijie, you can't be serious, right?"

  Huang Yanchen wore a snow-white silk long gown, with a jujube red hooded cloak draped over it, standing elegantly in the snowy ground. Her originally fair face became even more crystal clear under the reflection of ice and snow.

  Huang Yan's pair of sapphire-like eyes stared at Zhang Ruochen, coldly saying: "Of course I'm serious."

  Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "But we originally agreed that it was just a fake engagement."

  Huang Yanchen also became serious and said: "Zhang Ruochen, are you kidding me? I am the princess of Qian Shui State, and you are the prince of Yun Wu State. Our engagement is not a joke, what's this nonsense about a fake engagement?"

  Zhang Ruochen was speechless for a moment and carefully sized up Huang Yanchen, saying: "Sister, you're being unreasonable like this. Words that have been said can also be denied."

  Huang Yanchen raised her chin, revealing a snowy neck, and said: "Are you or are you not infatuated with Duanmu Xingling, that's why you're in such a hurry to divorce me?"

  Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "Why drag Duanmu Shijie into this again?"

  Huang Yanchen stared at him with a pair of beautiful eyes and said: "Since you don't like her, why did you admit to being her boyfriend?"

  "You're referring to Chen Ruo's identity," Zhang Ruochen said.

  Huang Yanchen gritted her teeth, coldly saying: "I really misjudged her before, I never thought she was hiding so deeply, and even snatched away her own sister's fiancé. Sisters can't be made anymore, from now on, we can only be enemies. That's right, enemies."

  Zhang Ruochen looked at Huang Yan's serious expression and sighed, never expecting things to develop to this point.

  He wanted to explain, but thinking of Huang Yanzhen's personality, he estimated that the more he explained, the more she would think.

  Once again proved, I really don't understand women.

  In the previous life, he died at the hands of Princess Chi Yao, it was not accidental, perhaps somewhere along the line she had wronged him, so she harbored hatred in her heart and killed Zhang Ruochen with one sword.

  However, Zhang Ruochen carefully thought back and didn't think he had offended Princess Chi Yao anywhere.

  What's the point of thinking so much and wasting so much time guessing their thoughts?

  "Martial arts training is a path, remember not to be distracted." Zhang Ruochen thought of the warning Emperor Ming had given him back then and immediately pulled his mind back.

  After sending off Huang Yanzhen, Zhang Ruozhen did not return to Yuwu Palace, but instead went to the ancestral temple of the emperors.

  The grand ceremony of sacrifice tomorrow will be held in the ancestral temple of the emperors.

  To seize the power of sacrifice at the grand ceremony, one must naturally come early to investigate.

  Although tomorrow is the grand ceremony, all the temples have been decorated half a month ago.

  Outside the shrine, on the ancient altar made of giant stones, there are already thousands and thousands of cattle and sheep offerings tied up, among which there are also a large number of wild beasts.

  Yunwu County is a county with a population of nearly 100 million, and the national ceremony is also the foundation of the county's martial arts, so it is naturally prepared quite grandly.

  Around the altar, there were over a thousand guards, eunuchs and palace maids, all busy with their tasks.

  When Zhang Ruochen arrived at the ancestral temple of the emperors, they all paid their respects and did not dare to be even slightly slow.

  Zhang TianGui's voice sounded behind Zhang RuoChen's back.

  " Ninth brother, tomorrow is the grand ceremony for ancestor worship, why have you come tonight?"

  Zhang Ruochen smiled and said: "Seventh Brother, aren't you also here?"

  Zhang Tianguang and Han Xuan walked side by side, coming from a distance.

  Lin Chenyu followed behind them, bowing and scraping, with a servile appearance. However, his eyes were extremely gloomy, and no one could guess what he was thinking in his heart.

  The three of them were all top-notch martial artists, and as they walked through the snowy ground, not a single footprint was left behind.

  Zhang Tianguai said, "I am following the king's order to preside over this year's sacrificial ceremony. I will naturally come over from time to time to take a look. You are still young after all, and when you get older, you will also have such opportunities."

  Han Xuan gazed at Zhang Ruochen, a curious expression on his face, and smiled: "I've long heard that the Ninth Prince's swordsmanship is extraordinary, having reached the pinnacle of 'the sword follows the heart', even the Half-Saint disciple Qing Chi Bai has lost to you in terms of sword moves, I wonder if today I can witness it for myself"

  Zhang Ruochen is still very famous among the younger generation, especially in terms of his swordsmanship and spiritual power, and is known as the leader of the younger generation.

  If it weren't for his insufficient martial arts cultivation, perhaps the title of Zhang TianGui's number one genius would have fallen to Zhang RuoChen.

  Han Yu was also a master of swordsmanship, and his skills had reached the pinnacle where his sword moved with his heart. His achievements in swordsmanship were enough to rank him among the top three among the young generation of the thirty-six states of Tianmo Ridge.

  Meeting Zhang Ruochen, a master of swordsmanship, Han Xuan naturally wanted to engage in a battle of wits and swords with him.

  If she could defeat Zhang Ruochen, wouldn't that prove that her skills in swordsmanship had also surpassed Qing Chi Bai?

  In this regard, Zhang Tianguai was slightly inferior. Although he had the reputation of being the first genius of the younger generation, his main focus was on cultivating his physical body and palm techniques, and in terms of swordsmanship, he was not particularly outstanding.