Chapter 1183: The Real Beginning

Luo Chang'an howled in agony, impaled by ice spikes high in the air. The extreme cold from the Ice Phoenix God Investiture Canon was incomparable to any other ice profound energy, piercing his entire body like thousands of soul-piercing spikes, making his life a living hell.

But even if the physical pain intensified tenfold, it couldn't compare to the humiliation in his heart. What was pinned down was not just his body, but also all the glory and dignity of his life. This scene, unfolding before countless eyes today, had never even appeared in his worst nightmares. It would undoubtedly become a lifelong stain that he could never wash away.

Under the terrifying Ice Phoenix power, he couldn't move a muscle; he couldn't even circulate profound energy to force himself into unconsciousness. He gradually lost the sensation of his body; all he could feel was endless pain and humiliation.

"Yun… Che!!" The Sacred Universe Realm King's rage erupted like a volcano from his chest. Even if Luo Chang'an was a complete good-for-nothing, he was still the Sacred Universe Realm King's son. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?!

And when had his Sacred Universe Realm ever endured such disgrace?!

Let alone Yun Che, who merely came from a middle-rank star realm, even figures like the Four Divine Children of the Eastern Region would never dare to treat Luo Chang'an this way.

Everyone from the Sacred Universe Realm had risen, their faces grim. If this weren't the Conferred God Stage, but any other place in the Eastern Divine Region, they would have surely erupted. On the eastern viewing platform, the various God Emperors also frowned deeply. Though Luo Chang'an was arrogant and domineering, and had publicly insulted Yun Che several times before, they had never imagined that Yun Che would not only completely defeat him, but also return the previous humiliation, magnified a thousandfold, right back onto Luo Chang'an in front of the entire Eastern Divine Region.

"Yun Che… I… ahh… will… kill… you…"

Luo Chang'an screamed desperately, but with each word, his voice grew more pained, until, at last, it was almost despairing.

Even though the Sacred Universe Realm King's lungs were about to burst with anger, he couldn't make a move, given Exalted God Cleansing's prior warning. He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Chang'an, a true man knows when to yield and when to assert himself. Victory and defeat are common. Since you've lost, just admit defeat gracefully; there's no need to struggle."

"No, no, no! Sacred Universe Realm King, your words are gravely mistaken!"

No sooner had the Sacred Universe Realm King finished speaking than Yun Che, without waiting for Luo Chang'an's reply, suddenly turned around and declared loudly: "In the eyes of ordinary people, victory and defeat are natural, and admitting defeat when outmatched doesn't make one any less of a man. However, this is Young Master Luo Chang'an. In his eyes, surrendering is what 'despicable trash' does, it's what a 'begging dog' does. It's certainly not the act of a 'true man'."

"If he truly surrendered, wouldn't he be admitting that he's 'despicable trash' and a 'begging dog'? This wouldn't just be humiliating himself; it would bring shame upon the entire Sacred Universe Realm. As the Sacred Universe Realm King's son, how could Luo Chang'an possibly do such a thing?”

"You!"

"Oh, that's right," Yun Che continued, completely disregarding the Sacred Universe Realm King's furious expression, "These aren't words I'm forcing upon Luo Chang'an; they are his own words from before. I'm sure everyone present, and all those watching in the Eastern Divine Region, heard it clearly. I haven't exaggerated a single word!"

"Furthermore, when Luo Chang'an made those grand statements earlier, the Sacred Universe Realm King didn't offer the slightest rebuke, clearly showing his approval. I suppose… this must be a consistent profound way principle of your Sacred Universe Realm? Truly admirable indeed.”

Not only did he humiliate Luo Chang'an in this manner, but he also used Luo Chang'an's own words to push him into a corner and mock the entire Sacred Universe Realm in the process. The Sacred Universe Realm King stared at Yun Che and muttered lowly, "You arrogant brat… you have quite the audacity!"

"Hahahahaha!" Before the Sacred Universe Realm King could finish, he was interrupted by a burst of wild laughter. From the eastern viewing platform, Cang Shitian was clapping and laughing without any imperial dignity. "An eye for an eye, that’s what a true man does! Well done, Yun brat, that felt good!!"

God Emperor Shitian's unrestrained laughter was undoubtedly a blatant slap to the Sacred Universe Realm King's face. Though the Sacred Universe Realm King's gaze darkened further, he dared not look directly at God Emperor Shitian, nor did he leave. Instead, he spoke in a very low voice, "Exalted God Cleansing, my son Chang'an has already lost. This brat Yun Che is clearly deliberately humiliating him. This act not only disgraces my Sacred Universe Realm but also sullies the Conferred God Battle itself.”

"Hmph! Luo Chang'an insulted others first, so this outcome is his own doing!" Exalted God Cleansing snorted coldly. However, he didn't remain indifferent. Instead, he turned and spoke with emphasis, "Luo Chang'an, your body and profound energy are both sealed, and you have no power to resist. This Venerable One intends to declare your defeat. Do you have any objections?!"

The Sacred Universe Realm King abruptly looked up and urgently called out, "Chang'an!"

Luo Chang'an, pinned in mid-air, was in agony. Yet, Yun Che's coercion prevented him from surrendering. He was trapped between life and death. Hearing this sudden declaration was like music to his ears. He screamed with all his remaining strength, "This junior… has no objections!"

"Hmph!"

Exalted God Cleansing waved his arm, and with a soft sound, the ice spikes pinning Luo Chang'an in mid-air instantly vanished. Luo Chang'an immediately plummeted to the ground, collapsing like a drowned dog with broken limbs, his entire body convulsing.

He knew very well that his shameful display today had been seen by countless profound practitioners of the Eastern Divine Region. As the Sacred Universe Realm King's son, and one of the thirty-two Conferred God Children, such a disgraceful scene would surely spread like wildfire, and for a long time to come, he would be nothing but a joke.

"The first match of the Loser's Bracket, Round Two: Yun Che wins and advances to the Loser's Bracket, Round Three tomorrow! Luo Chang'an is defeated and eliminated from the Conferred God Battle!”

As Exalted God Cleansing made his declaration, Luo Chang'an painfully tried to turn his head, wanting to find Yun Che. However, he barely managed to turn halfway before succumbing to his severe injuries and overwhelming humiliation, falling unconscious.

Yun Che watched Luo Chang'an coldly, remaining silent. After all, the Sacred Universe Realm was a top-tier upper star realm. At this point, how could the Brahma Heaven Realm truly stand by and do nothing? He wasn't surprised in the slightest that Exalted God Cleansing would forcefully intervene.

The Sacred Universe Realm King reached out, pulling Luo Chang'an's body into his grasp, and quickly departed with him, without sparing Yun Che another glance.

But Yun Che distinctly felt a cold gleam sweep over him.

This was Yun Che's first true battle in the Conferred God Battle, indeed, in the entire Profound God Convention. Three days prior, he absolutely could not have been Luo Chang'an's opponent. But today's battle was a complete and undeniable victory!

The shock brought by a complete victory at the eighth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm over the sixth level of the Divine Spirit Realm was immense. As he left the Conferred God Stage and returned to the spectator area, nearly all eyes remained fixed on him, filled with lingering awe and disbelief.

Even the Snow Song Realm disciples stared blankly at Yun Che, clearly still processing what they had seen.

"Are you… truly… Yun Che?" Ice Phoenix Great Elder Mu Huanzhi stared intently at Yun Che. "You… just how…"

"Great Elder, this is a secret technique that the sect has long prepared for Yun Che. It seems to have been very successful," Mu Bingyun whispered.

"So that’s… how it is." Mu Huanzhi and the others slowly nodded, yet their hearts were still filled with shock. They knew that Yun Che had previously defeated Divine Origin Realm disciples of the Frozen Cloud Asgard with his Sovereign Profound Realm profound energy, and they were already deeply astonished then. But for a late-stage Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner to defeat a mid-stage Divine Spirit Realm practitioner was something they had never even heard of.

This was definitely not something a mere “secret technique” could achieve.

"Brother Yun… that was amazing!" Huo Poyun exclaimed excitedly. As someone who had also experienced a surge in profound energy due to a “secret technique,” he naturally wouldn't pry into why Yun Che's improvement was so significant out of curiosity.

Beside him, both Huo Rulie and Yan Juehai stared wide-eyed at Yun Che, as if looking at a monster defying all common sense.

Far in the distance, a pair of starry eyes gazed down from above the clouds at the Conferred God Stage. Her gaze continuously followed one person, from the moment he instantly brought Luo Chang'an to his knees, to his casual departure from the stage under everyone's watchful eyes.

Yesterday, she had personally watched Yun Che leave the Brahma Heaven Realm alone, seen him enter the profound formation for returning. The moment his figure vanished, she felt a profound sense of loss, as if half of her soul had been suddenly hollowed out. Yet, at the same time, her heart had finally found peace.

He's gone… finally gone…

Please… never come back…

But only a day later, he had actually returned.

He returned with a power that felt like a complete rebirth, and even his eyes were entirely different from before.

Her inner world became utterly chaotic, a confusion she couldn't even articulate herself.

"Yun Che… why did you come back…" she murmured distractedly. "Why won't you… listen to me… again…"

At that moment, her gaze suddenly shifted. Her originally confused and chaotic eyes instantly turned chillingly cold and piercing, because she sensed an aura of extreme hatred, one that wouldn't dissipate even in death.

"Qian… Ye… Ying…’er!!"

Murderous intent surged wildly within her soul and the depths of her eyes, but she immediately suppressed it. She turned and silently left, quickly vanishing into the sky.

In another direction, Qianye Ying'er slowly withdrew her gaze. Beside her was the wizened old man in gray robes.

"Miss, the Heavenly Slaughter Star God just spotted you," the wizened old man whispered. "Yet, instead of attacking you, she actively moved away. Given the Heavenly Slaughter Star God's disposition, this is truly peculiar. However… it seems you already had a plan in mind, Miss.”

"If not for that person, she would certainly have attacked me, but…" Qianye Ying'er's lips curved into a beautiful arc, enough to make all men in the Eastern Divine Region lose their souls.

"Oh?"

"Old Gu, from now on, keep a close eye on that Yun Che. Other than him, you don't need to concern yourself with anyone or anything else," Qianye Ying'er instructed. "I want to uncover all the secrets about him!"

"What he possesses might be even more interesting than the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's Manual!"

The Conferred God Battle's Loser's Bracket, Round Two, continued. In the second match, one combatant was Yun Che's “acquaintance”—Wu Guike. And the other was… Li Jianming, who had perished together with Wei Hen!

Although Li Jianming was dead, his name remained in the Conferred God Battle. Therefore, while Wu Guike's match wasn't technically a bye like Yun Che's yesterday, the outcome was the same. Wu Guike won directly, advancing to the Loser's Bracket, Round Three tomorrow.

Following Yun Che's unexpected one-sided domination in the first match and Wu Guike's uncontested victory in the second, every match from the third onward was incredibly intense. With no significant disparity in profound energy, the depth of profound qi and mastery of profound arts became even more crucial. On a battlefield like the Conferred God Battle, none of them held back, fighting with all their might.

The longest battle lasted over an hour before a victor was finally determined.

By the time the Loser's Bracket, Round Two concluded, it was nearly evening. Eight Conferred God Children were eliminated in today's battles, with eight victors advancing to tomorrow's matches.

Of the thirty-two Conferred God Children, sixteen had now been eliminated.

The battle schedule for tomorrow was then displayed on the light screen:

Conferred God Bracket Round Two:First Match: Huo Poyun (Divine Spirit Realm Level Seven) from Flame God Realm vs. Jun Xilei (Divine Spirit Realm Level Ten) from Yaoxin Sword PavilionSecond Match: Luo Changsheng (Divine Spirit Realm Level Ten) from Sacred Universe Realm vs. Lu Lengchuan (Divine Spirit Realm Level Ten) from Overturn Heaven RealmThird Match: Shui Meiyin (Divine Spirit Realm Level One) from Glazed Light Realm vs. Meng Duanxi (Divine Spirit Realm Level Nine) from Flying Star RealmFourth Match: Shui Yingyue (Divine Spirit Realm Level Ten) from Glazed Light Realm vs. Chao Feng (Divine Spirit Realm Level Nine) from Rising Sun Sacred Realm