Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 723: Chapter 722 [Divine Calculation, Zhang Ruotong]

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With a thunderous boom not far from the Sun Never Sets Mountain, a huge mountain crumbled apart. Du Wanli, holding the Poison Saint Intense Flame Banner, burst forth from within. His eyes were bloodshot, his whole body trembling with rage. But by the time he emerged, there was no trace of Ye Tianchen, Dongfang Meng, and Tianshuang left; they had vanished without a trace.

Du Wanli could never have dreamed that with a cultivation realm higher than the three of Ye Tianchen and possessing treasures like the Snake King Seal and the Poison Saint Intense Flame Banner—a holy treasure—he would still allow the trio to escape. This was an even greater humiliation than the one he had suffered on the outskirts of the Sun Never Sets Mountain, and there was no doubt that Ye Tianchen, Dongfang Meng, and Tianshuang, once they had escaped, would spread the word of how he, like a dog, had knelt and begged for mercy at the outskirts of the mountain. As the Saint Heir of the Five Poison Sect and a top young master of the Earth Ancient Martial World, he feared he would lose all his face, perhaps even his position as the Saint Heir, never to take up the mantle of the Five Poison Sect again.

In truth, Du Wanli’s defeat and the successful escape of the trio could be attributed, aside from Ye Tianchen displaying power beyond his cultivation realm that somewhat intimidated Du Wanli, mostly to Du Wanli’s own actions. First and foremost, he was a bully who played it safe, lacking the brave and invincible Taoist Heart. He relied solely on holy treasures to confront the trio, failing to realize that one’s true strength was fundamental. No matter how powerful a treasure was, if one’s own combat prowess was not solid, even the mightiest of treasures would fail to unleash their true power in one’s hands, not to mention possessing an Emperor’s Artifact would be pointless. Secondly, he relied too heavily on his treasures, lacking the courage to even face Ye Tianchen who was a level lower in cultivation realm—a sign of an unsteady Taoist Heart, the greatest taboo for martial artists.

”Ah... I must kill you all!” Du Wanli roared to the sky, the Poison Saint Intense Flame Banner in his hands roaring with vigor.

At this very moment, Dongfang Meng and Tianshuang, one on each side, were supporting Ye Tianchen’s left and right arms, rapidly flying through Qi Manipulation. Both were extremely anxious, for Ye Tianchen, covered in blood and having fainted, had sustained injuries of unknown severity. The chances of his recovery were slim; the severity of his injuries was so great that it was a major concern whether he could even survive up to this point.

”What should we do? Where do we go now? If this continues, he’s going to die!” Dongfang Meng was extremely worried, tears whirling in her beautiful eyes. She didn’t have any good solutions at the moment.

”To the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. His injuries are too severe. If anyone has a way to save him, I’m afraid it must be the Grandmaster!” said Tianshuang after a moment of thought.

”Divine Calculation? Can he save Ye Tianchen from such serious injuries? He himself is almost on the brink of death...” Dongfang Meng hesitated to ask.

”Do we have any other option? Du Wanli might already be in pursuit, not to mention the Five Poison Seven Sons and the experts from the Sword Control Sect and Blood Killing Organization. It’s almost impossible for the two of us to protect him. Only our Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect is exceptionally secretive, unknown to the average person.” Tianshuang spoke seriously.

Dongfang Meng froze, knowing Tianshuang’s point made sense. Ye Tianchen was severely injured and whether he could survive was yet unknown. What he needed most was a safe place to heal and a master to protect him. Facing the pursuit of Du Wanli, the Five Poison Seven Sons, Sword Control Sect, and Blood Killing Organization, it was impossible for them to protect Ye Tianchen until he regained consciousness, let alone until he fully recovered.

”No more hesitation. His Martial Arts True Power is rapidly draining, and his Life-bound Essence is leaking. If we don’t find a safe place to help him heal, he will surely die.” Tianshuang glanced at Ye Tianchen and spoke urgently.

”Alright, let’s go to the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect!” Dongfang Meng nodded in agreement.

At this time, within the Ancient Martial World hidden in Song Mountain, there was a deep and secluded gorge protected by a powerful Formation. Even a Late Stage Peak Martial Saint might not break through it instantly. This was an ancient Great Formation left behind and partially restored by ”Divine Calculation,” becoming the defensive barrier of the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. No one would expect that the mysterious and unpredictable Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect was located within the Ancient Martial World of Song Mountain, and this deep valley had only one entrance guarded by a Formation so strong that even a Martial Saint could not easily shake it. Not to mention that nobody could locate the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect, even if they did, they would hardly dare to act recklessly.

In the secluded gorge where the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect was located, there was an open space paved entirely with blue stone slabs. There were mountains on three sides, and in the open area, there was a high platform also made of stacked stones, covered with various intricate runes that added an endless sense of mystery. At the highest point sat a chair carved with the sun, moon, and stars, and on it was an old man with white hair, beard, and eyebrows, wearing a white robe covering his figure, his eyes slightly closed as he gazed at the starry sky.

If someone could fly up high above this clearing, they would be utterly astonished to the point of dropping their jaw, for the entire field was actually in the pattern of the Taiji Bagua, divided into yin and yang halves, surrounded on three sides by mountains, forming a perfect circle, and the location of the high platform and wooden chair was precisely the center point of the Bagua pattern.

At this moment, a woman appeared on the field. She was dressed in modern attire, very gentle and simple in her appearance. She slowly approached the base of the high platform, knelt on the ground, and devoutly worshipped the person sitting in the chair atop the platform.

”It was your grandfather who sent you, wasn’t it? He’s gone to a place he needs to be!” The white-haired elder sitting in the chair didn’t open his eyes but spoke instead.

”Divine Calculation, my grandfather once said you wished to take me as your disciple, but he couldn’t bear to agree, thus he refused. This time he sent me to find you by myself!” said the woman, glancing up at the wooden chair on the platform.

”It’s too late, everything is too late. I am about to pass away, my lifespan of seven thousand years has ended, there’s no possibility to extend it. You’re not fated to be my disciple, not meant to be part of the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. Perhaps this is all destiny!” the white-haired elder slightly opened his eyes and looked at the woman below the platform as he spoke.

The woman was taken aback for a moment, then slowly stood up with a hint of sadness in her voice, ”My grandfather has passed, and I have nothing left to cling to in the Mortal World, so I sought to earnestly request you to take me as your disciple.”

The white-haired elder was the Divine Calculation, a powerful individual who lived for seven thousand years. Perhaps his combat strength was not so formidable, but his greatness was enough to alarm and be coveted by any mighty being. The Divine Calculation knew of the woman’s arrival to Song Mountain Ancient Martial World right from the start, guiding her all along. Otherwise, even if the woman was clever and strong, she wouldn’t have been able to find this place. It was the connection from years past that led to this reunion.

”Your grandfather had to take this step eventually. This world is a vast Martial Arts World, and Superpower Users are but one of the kinds born over millions of years. Though they might grow stronger, they remain outside the mainstream. He has lost the chance to transform into a Martial Artist, having lived for two hundred years in the Mortal World is, in itself, remarkable. It’s just a pity that right at the end of his lifespan, there was still something crucial he needed to see through...” Divine Calculation shook his head as he spoke.

”Then my grandfather... will I ever be able to see him again?” the woman asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

”I don’t know, and perhaps not knowing is for the best. You loved a man deeply in the Mortal World, gave him your all, and even shared your unique healing power with him impartially before quietly leaving to join the Ancient Martial World and seek me, hoping to become a disciple of the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. Unfortunately, it’s all too late now. I can’t take you as my disciple, nor can I become your master!” Divine Calculation’s eyes seemed cloudy, yet they sparkled with a divine light.

”Divine Calculation, does Ruotong... does Ruotong no longer have a home, a grandfather, or anywhere to go?” the woman asked sorrowfully.

”Back when your grandfather roamed the Ancient Martial World, he found an abandoned infant girl by the roadside, whom he rescued and later discovered that this girl possessed a powerful physique rare even among millions, capable of healing severe injuries quickly on her own. So long as a pinch of Divine Sense remained, she could save anyone from the brink of death. Such a physique was rare, not just on Earth, but even across the entire Martial Arts World. Ultimately, your grandfather decided to take you to the Mortal World, as it was less violent and bloody. He knew it would be very dangerous for you in the Ancient Martial World, and your very life would be at risk if anyone found out about your physique...” Divine Calculation spoke as if reminiscing on the events he had once witnessed, addressing the woman below the platform.

”Then... Divine Calculation, I, Zhang Ruotong, will just have to return the way I came...”

The woman who paid respects to the Divine Calculation, a being who had lived for seven thousand years, was none other than Zhang Ruotong, a woman of great importance in Ye Tianchen’s life, a woman he felt utterly indebted to. Without her, he wouldn’t know how many times he might have died.

After leaving her home and disappearing without a word to her grandfather Zhang Yide, Zhang Ruotong had entered Earth’s Song Mountain Ancient Martial World in search of the ”Divine Calculation,” seeking to join the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. Would she ever meet Ye Tianchen again? (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it and cast your monthly votes at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)