Chapter 1213: Moon Goddess Empress

In the grand hall stood a large, clear crystal mirror. Reflected in it was the figure of a woman, as if from a dream of immortals. She sat quietly before the mirror, her face unadorned yet seemingly crafted with all the meticulous care heaven could bestow. Her skin perfectly embodied the essence of "ice-like skin and jade-like bones," with a snowy complexion and crimson lips. Every feature of her face was exquisitely flawless and incomparably beautiful.

Yet, this ethereal beauty exuded a cold aloofness and a sacred purity that deterred all direct gazes, as if she were an immortal stepping upon the nine heavens, untouched by even a wisp of mortal dust.

Beside her, a young maiden in a moon-white gown was meticulously tending to her toilette. Gazing at the almost unreal, exquisite beauty reflected in the mirror, the maiden's eyes gradually became fixated, and she murmured in a daze, "Empress Shenhou… you are truly so beautiful, like a celestial fairy… Even the legendary Dragon Queen of the Divine Maidens couldn’t be more so…"

"No wonder the Divine Emperor is so deeply devoted to Your Majesty. Only a celestial being like Empress Shenhou truly deserves the Divine Emperor."

The woman remained silent, her eyes like a clear, tranquil pool.

The maiden's hands deftly moved, securing a light, simple flowing-cloud hairpin in her hair, then gently cascaded her locks over her graceful shoulders.

"Empress Shenhou," the maiden said involuntarily as she arranged her hair, "why do you never wish to grow your hair long? With Your Majesty's celestial beauty, if you were to have long hair, you would surely be even more exquisite."

The Empress lowered her gaze slightly and softly whispered, "Hair is cut for love. When the person is gone and the affection has no continuation, why should black tresses be allowed to grow?"

"Oh?" The maiden blinked, her face a picture of bewilderment.

Once the grooming was complete, the maiden looked at the Empress in the mirror. As always, her eyes shimmered with awe and adoration, half marveling, half entranced.

"Empress Shenhou, Jin Yue just heard that the Battle of the Conferred Gods at the Profound God Convention has determined the final four Divine Sons." The maiden spoke to the Empress about the most significant recent event in the Eastern Divine Region, knowing that the Empress was exceptionally aloof and never concerned herself with anyone or anything, whether within or outside the Moon God Realm.

"…It seems the Profound God Convention is nearing its end," the Empress said softly, her voice as gentle and placid as still water.

"Yes! The Divine Emperor must be eager for the Profound God Convention to end quickly so he can return and marry Your Majesty." The maiden pursed her lips and chuckled softly. "The Divine Emperor dotes on Your Majesty so much. After not seeing you for months, he must be thinking of you day and night, hee hee."

The Empress offered no response.

"Oh, and there's something greatly different about this year's four Conferred Divine Sons compared to previous years! One of them actually comes from a Middle Star Realm. He defeated many prodigies from Upper Star Realms during the Battle of the Conferred Gods and ultimately even triumphed over Lu Lengchuan, taking his place among the four Divine Sons. This has caused a massive sensation, and the entire Eastern Divine Region is buzzing about it."

The Empress's ethereal voice was soft as a whisper. "For a Middle Star Realm to produce one of the four Conferred Divine Sons is unprecedented in the history of the Eastern Divine Region. A sensation is only to be expected."

"Indeed!" The maiden nodded. "And the Middle Star Realm he hails from is none other than the 'Snow Song Realm,' which Your Majesty often speaks of."

"Snow Song… Realm." She murmured the words softly, and her gaze finally stirred with a subtle ripple. "I am deeply indebted to the Snow Song Realm, yet to this day, I have not set foot there, nor have I been able to repay their kindness. Jin Yue, what is his name? Since he is one of the four Conferred Divine Sons, he will surely be invited to the wedding ceremony in a month. At that time, bestow some opportunities upon him; consider it my small repayment to Snow Song."

"Yes, Jin Yue will remember Your Majesty's command." The maiden curtsied gracefully. "That disciple from the Snow Song Realm is named Yun Che, and it is said he truly originated from a Lower… Ah!?"

She felt the Empress's body suddenly tremble violently.

In the maiden's eyes, the Empress had always been as serene and elegant as the bright moon in the sky. That sudden, violent reaction in an instant nearly startled her, and she quickly exclaimed, "Your Majesty, are you… are you alright?"

"…" The Empress's aura was momentarily unsettled, but in an instant, it returned to its usual calm. She shook her head slightly. "Nothing, I merely thought of an old acquaintance who departed many years ago."

"An old acquaintance?" The maiden paused, surprised. "Does Your Majesty know an old acquaintance… also named Yun Che? To be remembered by Your Majesty, even after his passing, he must be very fortunate."

The Empress slowly rose, her phoenix eyes clear and luminous as she gazed thoughtfully into the distance. "He was my former husband. He passed away eight years ago."

Eight years…

"Ah?" The maiden froze, her face instantly turning ashen. She dropped to her knees with a thud, trembling uncontrollably. "Your… Your Majesty, Jin Yue… heard… heard nothing at all… Your Majesty, please spare my life…"

"You need not fear," the Empress sighed softly. "The Divine Emperor has long been aware that I had a former husband."

She herself couldn't understand why such a "taboo" statement had simply slipped out so directly.

The voice gradually receded. The maiden looked up, seeing the Empress's ethereal figure already far outside the hall. "Your Majesty, where are you going?" she asked, flustered. "Are you going to see… a lady?"

"No need to follow."

As the words fell, her figure vanished from the maiden's sight.

The maiden remained kneeling on the ground, lost in thought for a long time. She had accompanied the Empress for many years, but just now, she felt the Empress had suddenly become completely different from her usual self…

…after she had spoken the name "Yun Che."

The God Realm of Brahma.

The Battle of the Conferred Gods continued. With the new four Divine Sons decided, the competition officially entered its final stages. All subsequent matches would be among the Divine Sons, promising exceptional intensity.

Today marked the final battle for the Conferred God group: Luo Changsheng against Shui Yingyue, the only two young profound practitioners who had remained undefeated since the Battle of the Conferred Gods began.

The outcome of this battle unfolded as everyone had anticipated. Luo Changsheng defeated Shui Yingyue, securing the championship of the Conferred God group. Shui Yingyue, in turn, entered the loser's bracket, where she would face the victor of the match between Jun Xilei and Yun Che in the ultimate loser's bracket showdown.

In the eyes of all, Shui Yingyue's next opponent could only be Jun Xilei.

Outside the Conferred God Stage, high in the distant sky, as the battle between Luo Changsheng and Shui Yingyue concluded, Qianye Ying'er withdrew her gaze. "Yun Che is not here today. It seems he is not prepared to accept his predetermined defeat against Jun Xilei."

"Does Miss believe he might have a chance to defeat Jun Xilei?" the withered old man slowly inquired. He was well aware that Qianye Ying'er had remained in the God Realm of Brahma specifically to observe Yun Che, and she had watched the two major Divine Son battles today with cold indifference, showing no interest whatsoever.

"What does Old Gu think?" the goddess retorted.

"Absolutely impossible," Old Gu stated calmly. "Unless he can undergo a qualitative transformation within these mere three days."

"We shall see," Qianye Ying'er murmured, her golden hair gently dancing in the breeze. Even with her face obscured, all the world's grace and splendor seemed to subtly fade in her presence.

"Miss," the elder prompted, "what exactly is so unusual about Yun Che?"

Her lips, naturally crimson and shimmering with a subtle radiance, curved into a slight arc. "Old Gu, for you to be unable to restrain yourself from asking, this must be the first time in many years, isn't it?"

"Heh heh," the old man chuckled hoarsely. "A Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner defeating a late-stage Divine Spirit Realm, and even performing two Illusionary Gods… This old man has lived for 120,000 years in vain, and still cannot comprehend it."

"This cannot possibly be explained by mere 'talent'."

"For Old Gu, with your extensive experience and insight, to utter the words 'cannot comprehend'," Qianye Ying'er smiled, "you need not feel ashamed. In terms of knowledge, those in the entire God Realm who can compare with you are few and far between. It's simply that the secrets Yun Che carries truly lie beyond the God Realm's understanding."

For it was a legacy from the level of a Creation God, something that had never appeared in the God Realm before!

Old Gu's aged eyes lifted.

"However, with a secret so important, naturally, the fewer who know, the better. Old Gu, this is what you personally taught me."

Her tone, though seemingly plain, was more melodious and enchanting than any celestial music in the world, as if imbued with magic.

"Heh heh," Old Gu nodded with a smile. "It seems Miss already has a plan."

"No," Qianye Ying'er replied, shaking her head. No one knew the brilliance that shimmered in the eyes beneath her mask, eyes capable of captivating the entire Eastern Divine Region. "I merely wish to witness with my own eyes the true extent of his limits, how high he can truly reach."

"And thereby determine how much effort he is worth investing in!"

Days passed. The final few battles for the Conferred Gods captivated the anticipation of all profound practitioners in the Eastern Divine Region, yet surprisingly, there was little tension. Although the remaining Divine Son battles were of an extremely high caliber, they seemed devoid of suspense.

First place would undoubtedly go to Luo Changsheng; there was no other possibility. Second place would be determined between Jun Xilei and Shui Yingyue, and the outcome, regardless of who won or lost, would not surprise anyone. As for Yun Che, he was destined to lose to Jun Xilei. Nevertheless, he would unquestionably be the greatest victor of this Profound God Convention. The attention and acclaim he garnered, and the astonishment and sensation he caused, surpassed the combined impact of the other three Divine Sons. He was even being hailed as the pride of all Middle Star Realms by countless profound practitioners from those realms.

Three days later.

The day of the battle between Jun Xilei and Yun Che finally arrived.

Yet, during these three days, Yun Che seemed to have vanished without a trace, and no one in the God Realm of Brahma had caught sight of him.

The Fire God Realm, Burial God Fire Prison.

Huo Rulie stood by the edge of the Fire Prison, waiting for three full days without moving an inch. Throughout these days, he had only a fleeting moment of peace. As time gradually slipped away and Yun Che still failed to emerge from the Fire Prison, his heart grew increasingly restless and uneasy.

To sink into the Fire Prison, reaching depths even he couldn't perceive… and then not emerge for three full days…

What kind of feat was this?

Even Huo Rulie himself, even Yan Wancang, the strongest in the Fire God Realm, could absolutely not achieve such a feat.

Anyone in such a situation would conclude that Yun Che must have perished within the Fire Prison… there was simply no other conceivable possibility.

Yet, Huo Rulie remained steadfastly in place. He believed Yun Che's words were true and waited with intense anticipation for that true miracle.

Today, however, was the day of Yun Che's battle with Jun Xilei, with less than three hours remaining until the fight began. His mind was now utterly unable to remain calm; his hands clenched tightly, and his breathing became exceptionally heavy.

"Could it be that this brat truly…"

Amidst his worried murmurs, the Fire Prison before him suddenly burst open, and a figure soared out, landing lightly before Huo Rulie.

Huo Rulie's mouth hung agape. After staring blankly for a moment, he burst into loud laughter and roared, "Yun brat, you're finally out! These three days of waiting were not in vain after all!"

As laughter erupted on his face, a wave of profound relief washed over him, immediately followed by an overwhelming surge of extreme shock and astonishment in his heart.

Three days… He had remained inside the Burial God Fire Prison for three full days!

Compared to the Golden Crow Sect Master's excitement, Yun Che wore a calm smile. "Sect Master Huo, I apologize for keeping you waiting so long."

"Hahahaha, it's good that you're alright. I knew that since you dared to say it and dared to do it, you would surely be fine. Oh?" Huo Rulie's gaze suddenly shifted. "Divine Tribulation Realm Level Nine… You broke through!?"

Before entering the Fire Prison, Yun Che's profound energy was at the initial stage of Divine Tribulation Realm Level Eight. Now, however, the profound energy emanating from him was that of Divine Tribulation Realm Level Nine.

Although he had broken through, no one would believe that he could now contend with Jun Xilei. Yet, looking at Yun Che standing so close, Huo Rulie suddenly felt an incredibly subtle sensation… It was clearly just an advancement of one small realm, but Yun Che's entire aura seemed completely transformed.

He couldn't quite articulate what exactly was different.

"Indeed," Yun Che nodded. "This junior cultivated within the Fire Prison for seven months using the Wheel of Time Pearl, and I have finally made some small progress. For today's battle with Jun Xilei, even if I lose, I will have no regrets."

"Se-se-seven months!?" Huo Rulie's entire body trembled violently, his eyes wide in disbelief; he nearly bit his tongue.

Even three days in the Fire Prison had already sent intense ripples through his heart.

Seven months…

"Let us return to the God Realm of Brahma, Sect Master Huo, I've troubled you enough," Yun Che said. His eyes were clear, and deep within their pupils, flames seemed to burn. Upon leaving the Fire Prison, he had optimized his condition. Compared to his apprehension "a few days ago," he now harbored an incredibly strong desire to battle Jun Xilei.

"…Alright." Huo Rulie's pupils flickered. He stammered for a long while before finally managing to compose himself, slowly nodding. Then, he took Yun Che by the hand and vanished from the edge of the Fire Prison.