Chapter 1395: "Mission"

"He Ling," Yun Che said slowly, his emotions gradually calming and his gaze deepening. "If you had witnessed my life, you would realize that I am like a harbinger of disaster. Wherever I go, various kinds of calamities and turmoil follow, and it has never stopped."

He Ling: "Ah?"

"Even when I died once and lost my power, disaster still sought me out."

"And all of this began when I inherited the Evil God's legacy at sixteen years old," Yun Che said candidly. "Over the years, more than one of the soul spirits that granted me various divine powers mentioned that, while inheriting the Evil God's divine power, I also inherited the 'mission' he left behind. In other words: I gained power unique in this world, and I must bear a responsibility commensurate with it."

He Ling couldn't understand.

"I kept all their pointers in mind, but subconsciously, I never truly cared about them, even dismissing them somewhat."

"Later, in the Forbidden Land of Samsara, when I first met Shen Xi, she asked me a question: If you could have one wish immediately granted, what would it be? My answer greatly disappointed her... Throughout that year, she told me many times, in many ways, that since I possessed the world's unique power of a Creation God, I must use it to stand above all beings."

"Including her... uh, she heavily emphasized Long Huang's admiration for her, and also wanted me to surpass him."

"Master... have you come to understand Mistress Shen Xi's words?" He Ling asked softly.

"No," Yun Che shook his head. "I've found sufficient reasons, and I've completely understood everything."

"Power is too important," Yun Che's gaze darkened. "Without power, I can't protect myself, nor can I protect anyone. Even a few insignificant bugs that weren't worthy to be my opponents could push me into desperation and harm Xin'er... *Hoo*."

He exhaled heavily.

Thinking of those four individuals, Yun Che gritted his teeth, his brows furrowing. Now that he was somewhat calmer, he suddenly realized he knew nothing about their names, origins, or how they ended up on the Azure Cloud Continent! It was one thing not to use Profound Handle Soul Extraction before killing them, but he hadn't even searched their minds for soul crystals... Fortunately, there were no unusual soul auras when they died, otherwise, the consequences would have been dire. *Sigh*... This level of anger-induced irrationality seemed to be a first.

"The power I possess is too special; it attracts countless covetous gazes and implicitly brings unforeseeable calamities. If I want all of this to stop, the only way is to stand at the apex of this world, to become the one who makes the rules... Just as I once stood at the pinnacle of this continent, the difference is that this time, the God Realm must be included."

Watching He Ling's eyes tremble violently, he smiled. "To others, this might be an illusion. But I... I can do it, and I must do it. I never want to experience what happened today a second time in my life! This reason alone is enough!"

"Then... Master, are you returning to the God Realm to cultivate with Mistress Shen Xi?" He Ling asked. It seemed like a safe place, and also where he could achieve his goals fastest.

"No," Yun Che shook his head again. "I must return because... I have to fulfill the so-called 'mission' that came along with the power I possess."

"A mission? What mission?" He Ling asked.

"I've only guessed a little for now, but once I return to the Eastern Divine Region, someone will tell me." The image of the Ice Phoenix girl from beneath the Netherfrost Divine Lake flashed through Yun Che's mind. His gaze shifted eastward... In the distant eastern sky, a tiny red star gleamed, more dazzling than all other stars. Once, it merely flickered occasionally in the sky, but at some unknown point, it became fixed there, burning brightly day and night.

"There's one more thing I must tell you," Yun Che continued. At this moment, his gaze became somewhat hazy. "What restored my power wasn't just Xin'er, but also He Lin."

"Ah?" He Ling froze. "You mean... Lin'er?"

"The Phoenix Soul tried to use the wisp of Evil God's divine breath in Xin'er's profound veins to awaken my dormant Evil God profound veins. It successfully stripped the Evil God's divine breath from Xin'er's profound veins and transferred it into my dead profound veins. However, it failed; the Evil God's divine breath did not awaken my profound veins... but it awakened the Wood Spirit King Orb that He Lin gave me."

He Ling's lips parted, her beautiful eyes trembling intensely.

"The Wood Spirit race was created by the Life Creation God Li Sa in ancient times. The life force within the Wood Spirit King Orb originates from light profound energy. When it awakened, the life force it released triggered the power of the 'Miracle of Life' which had long been attached to my life. And it was the 'Miracle of Life' that awakened my dead profound veins."

The Phoenix Soul had said that the Evil God's profound veins were those of a Creation God, extremely high-tier, and could only be awakened by power of the same tier... which was the last trace of Evil God's divine breath in Yun Wuxin's profound veins. But it didn't know that Yun Che also possessed another Creation God-tier power—the Life Creation God's Miracle of Life. Light profound energy attaches not only to profound veins but also to life itself. The Miracle of Life was no different. When the dormant "Miracle of Life" was triggered by the power of the Wood Spirit royal family, it healed Yun Che's injuries and also awakened his long-dormant profound veins. This was a miracle, one that perhaps even the Life Creation God Li Sa herself, if alive, would find difficult to explain.

"When I was very young... my parents said... my Wood Spirit Orb was very special, it was a seed of miracle, hoping that one day... it could truly... bring miraculous power to Brother Yun Che..." The words He Lin spoke years ago, tearing up as she offered her Wood Spirit King Orb, echoed in Yun Che's mind... His vision gradually blurred, and he softly murmured to himself, "He Lin... thank you for the miracle you brought me."

He Ling bit her lip tightly, suppressing her tears for a long time before gently saying, "If Lin'er knew, she would definitely be very pleased."

Yun Che pressed his hand to his chest, clearly sensing the presence of the Wood Spirit Orb. Indeed, his life had experienced many calamities due to the Evil God's divine power, but he had also met many benefactors and gained countless affections and favors.

After striving to dispel the mist from her eyes, He Ling turned her face and asked, "Master, when do you plan to return to the God Realm?"

Yun Che answered without hesitation, "A Divine Sovereign Realm cultivation is considered high-tier in the God Realm, but those who would target me are far too powerful, so now is definitely not the time to return."

"Is Master planning to cultivate here and return once you're strong enough?" He Ling asked... However, the aura of this world was so shallow and turbid, completely unsuitable for divine path cultivation.

"No," Yun Che denied. "The Azure Cloud Continent's plane is too low; cultivating in this environment would make progress extremely slow. Moreover, this place is close to the Eastern Divine Region, and too many people there are familiar with the aura of my power. If I cultivate here, there's a risk of being detected."

"Actually, the timing of my return doesn't depend on me, but on you," Yun Che said, turning to look at He Ling.

"Me?" He Ling was bewildered, then suddenly realized something. "Does Master mean... the Sky Poison Pearl?"

"Yes," Yun Che nodded. "I must return to the God Realm, but I'm not going back to continue living like a frightened stray dog, hiding everywhere, as I did before."

"Once the Sky Poison Pearl recovers enough poison power to threaten a King Realm, we will return." Yun Che's eyes turned cold. His trump cards were definitely not limited to the Evil God's divine power. From the moment He Ling became the Sky Poison Spirit, his other trump card had fully awakened. It was also possible that he might be forced to return before then... Yun Che glanced again at the red "star" in the west.

"Understood, I will definitely work hard." He Ling nodded seriously, but then she suddenly thought of something and asked with surprise, "Master, do you mean... you plan to expose the Sky Poison Pearl?"

"Yes!" Yun Che nodded without hesitation. "Tonight, though my mind was in turmoil, I thought about many things. During my four years in the God Realm, I tried my best to hide my secrets, but ultimately, they were discovered. Qianye knew I possessed the Evil God's divine power, and that old rascal Tu Mi of the Star God Realm exposed it due to my connection with Jasmine... In comparison, the Sky Poison Pearl is actually easier to expose. On the very first day I met Jasmine, she recognized the Sky Poison Pearl at a glance; before I went to the God Realm, when I saved Palace Master Bingyun, she also immediately exclaimed 'Sky Poison Pearl'."

He Ling couldn't dispute this point. The Sky Poison Pearl's poison and purification abilities were unrivaled. Some poisons could only be neutralized by the Sky Poison Pearl, and some could only be unleashed by it. Therefore, it was easily recognized by those in the God Realm.

"The God Realm is too vast, with incredibly deep history and foundations. Their knowledge of ancient secrets far surpasses that of the lower realms. Since I've decided to return to the God Realm, my secrets will inevitably be fully exposed one day," Yun Che's expression was surprisingly calm. "Given that, I might as well expose them proactively. Concealing them would make them a constant worry; looking back at those years, I was almost always constrained, mostly by self-imposed restrictions."

"But if I expose them proactively... although it means there's no turning back, I can find a way for them to become a deterrent to others instead." Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of coldness coalescing within them.

During the years he lost his power, he lived a leisurely, carefree life, mostly indulging in pleasure, seemingly unconcerned with anything else. In reality, he was mostly immersing himself and trying not to worry those around him. Yet, how could he truly forget or let go of those unfulfilled graces, grudges, affections, and hatreds?

For over a year, he had contemplated countless times, especially repeatedly thinking about what he should have done, or could have done, if he had the chance to choose and live those years in the God Realm again...

"My four years in the God Realm passed in a hurry, every step taken in a daze... Before returning, I will figure out what I need to do." Yun Che closed his eyes. He would re-evaluate not only the future but also every step taken, every person met, every piece of land traversed, and even every word heard during his past years in the God Realm.

Back then, he had resolutely followed Mu Bingyun to the God Realm with the sole purpose of finding Jasmine, never once considering staying there or forming any ties of grievance or affection. But if he were to return to the God Realm now, it would be entirely different.

"There's one more question," Yun Che said, still with his eyes closed. His voice suddenly softened, with a hint of difficulty. "Did you... see Hong'er?"

He Ling's gaze dimmed.

For a long while, Yun Che received no answer from He Ling. He forced a smile, turned around, and walked towards Yun Wuxin's sleeping room. Instead of pushing the door open, he sat beside it, quietly guarding her night and organizing his reborn thoughts.