Chapter 1421: Head-to-Head

Like a basin of cold water poured over him, Yun Che jolted, instantly sobering up significantly. The soft warmth that had lingered on his face for so long slowly receded, and the alluring fragrance nearby transformed into a bone-chilling coldness. Mu Xuanyin slowly raised her head, gazing into the distance, her half-lidded icy eyes reflecting an incredibly terrifying light. Yun Che, his head still buzzing, tensed up completely, now fully awake, and for a long time, he dared not even breathe deeply.

This was the first time Yun Che had felt such terrifying coldness and murderous intent emanating from Mu Xuanyin.

The voice that had just echoed, though seemingly from an immense distance, carried an utterly terrifying pressure. What was even more alarming was that it had distinctly called out his name: "Yun Che"!

Yun Che was utterly astonished. What was happening? He had just returned to the God Realm, completely disguised and hidden. Only Mu Feixue and Mu Xuanyin knew he was alive. Mu Xuanyin would at most tell Mu Bingyun, and neither of them would ever leak such information.

So what exactly was going on?

And that voice...

"Yun Che, you brat, I know you're still alive! Come out and die immediately! Don't force me to flatten the Snow Song Realm!"

Another voice, like thunder from beyond the heavens, echoed through the air. Though incredibly distant, it made Yun Che's blood surge, taking several breaths to settle. If it affected him so profoundly, it was hard to imagine the terrifying power of the voice's owner. Within the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, an untold number of young disciples were injured by the terrifying profound energy carried by the voice.

As his tumultuous energy subsided, Yun Che's brow suddenly furrowed. He abruptly recalled where he had heard that voice before.

Four years ago, during the Profound God Convention, in his ultimate battle against Luo Changsheng, he had heard that voice multiple times.

It was Luo Guxie, Luo Changsheng's aunt and master, widely acknowledged as the strongest individual below the King Realms in the Eastern Divine Region!

The Conferred God Battle was, after all, a competition for the younger generation; elders should never have intervened, let alone a Supreme Divine Master.

Luo Guxie originated from the Sacred Universe Realm but remained unaffiliated with it. Her terrifying power surpassed that of all high-level Realm Kings in the Eastern Divine Region; no one dared provoke her. Given her reclusive nature, she never sought trouble with others either.

In the God Realm, "Solitary Evil Immortal" Luo Guxie and "Sword Monarch" Jun Wuming were the two living legends of the Eastern Divine Region. Both were solitary figures, belonging to no star realm and bound by no constraints.

Yet, this very venerable figure, revered by countless beings, had intervened in the Conferred God Battle to protect Luo Changsheng. In the most sacred, solemn, and unbreachable Eternal Heaven Realm of the Eastern Divine Region, she had attacked a junior, who was only at the Divine Spirit Realm—and it was a lethal strike.

Even reflecting on it now, anyone would find it utterly unbelievable. Many God Emperors were present, yet not a single one had time to intervene, as they could never have dreamed that someone of Luo Guxie's standing would commit such an act.

Perhaps the only explanation was that Luo Changsheng was her greatest pride in life, and her protective affection for him had become extremely twisted.

Even more astonishing was that her personal attack failed to injure Yun Che. Instead, Yun Che, using the residual Heavenly Dao Lightning within him, gravely wounded her in an instant, right before everyone's eyes.

For Luo Guxie, this was undoubtedly a humiliation too profound for words.

Many in this world coveted Yun Che's secrets, including Qianye Ying'er. However, the one who most intensely hated Yun Che and wished him dead was, without a doubt, Luo Guxie. Her hatred was so profound that even from her position of ultimate worldly reverence, she was determined to destroy him with her own hands.

If she knew Yun Che was alive and in the Snow Song Realm, it would surprise no one that she would immediately rush there herself.

A Supreme Divine Master, the foremost profound practitioner in the Eastern Region, gravely wounded by a Divine Spirit junior in front of the entire world—such a spectacle was unprecedented. The humiliation was equally unparalleled.

But the question was...

Yun Che slowly clenched his teeth. If it truly was Luo Guxie, how did she know he was alive? And how did she know he was here?

Furthermore, the Sacred Universe Realm and the Snow Song Realm were vastly distant. Even at a Divine Master's top speed, it would take a significant amount of time to traverse such a distance. Yet, he had only returned to the Snow Song Realm a little over a day ago. This meant she not only knew he was here, but she must have known for quite some time!

What in the world was going on?!

"Master..." He looked at Mu Xuanyin, whose face was frighteningly cold.

A cold gust of wind swept by as Mu Bingyun rushed over, speaking urgently, "Sister, someone has intruded, just outside the Ice Phoenix Realm, and..."

"It's Luo Guxie!" Mu Xuanyin stated coldly.

"What?" Mu Bingyun was visibly shocked. Luo Guxie—though a woman's name—symbolized the foremost individual in the Eastern Region, carrying unparalleled deterrent power.

"Is it truly her?" The gravity in Mu Bingyun's eyes deepened tenfold. "But Sister, you haven't met her, have you?"

"I remember her voice," Mu Xuanyin replied somberly.

Yun Che was speechless.

Mu Bingyun's gaze faltered slightly. "But why would she know Yun Che is alive? Yun Che, besides Feixue, who else knows you're still alive?"

Yun Che shook his head. "I returned directly to the Snow Song Realm from the Azure Cloud Continent using the Spatial Stone Palace Master Bingyun gave me years ago, without setting foot anywhere else along the way. My appearance, voice, and aura were all disguised, and I only removed the disguise after returning to the Sacred Hall. Absolutely no one knew it was me, except Feixue."

As he spoke, he quickly replayed the events since entering the Snow Song Realm in his mind. Suddenly, his pupils trembled violently.

Could it be...

No... impossible... Absolutely not...

Yun Che's aura suddenly became slightly erratic. Mu Xuanyin cast a glance at him but did not inquire further. Unaware, Mu Bingyun's icy brows were tightly furrowed. "The Grand Elder has gone to negotiate. Sister, quickly seal Yun Che in a barrier; he must not be detected by Luo Guxie. Yun Che's death was a fact personally confirmed by the Eternal Heaven Realm back then. Even if Luo Guxie has heard some rumor from somewhere, she surely can't be certain. It shouldn't be difficult to conceal him."

"No," Mu Xuanyin replied. "Even if Luo Guxie utterly despises Che'er, given her status, she wouldn't have come here in person unless she had received absolutely confirmed information."

Mu Bingyun's gaze sharpened.

"Very well," Mu Xuanyin's voice deepened. "Our old scores haven't been settled yet, but she's conveniently delivered herself to my doorstep. This is excellent."

Yun Che was bewildered. (Old scores? What? Hadn't Palace Master Bingyun said she'd never met Luo Guxie?)

Mu Xuanyin's words sent a shock through Mu Bingyun's eyes. She quickly reached out and clutched Mu Xuanyin's white robes. "Sister, what are you planning? She's Luo Guxie!"

"No need to worry," Mu Xuanyin said indifferently. "Since she's here, I'll go meet her myself."

"Che'er, you will come with me."

These words startled both Mu Bingyun and Yun Che simultaneously. Mu Bingyun's grip on Mu Xuanyin's hand tightened abruptly. "Sister, what are you saying?"

"Hmph, since he's already exposed, there's no point in hiding him anymore," Mu Xuanyin stated. "Besides, once he learns about the Evil Infant incident, do you think there will still be any meaning in keeping him hidden?"

Mu Bingyun remained silent, her grip on Mu Xuanyin's hand slowly loosening.

Yun Che looked utterly bewildered: Evil Infant? What was the Evil Infant?

Meanwhile, Mu Huanzhi had personally led a group of elders and palace masters, swiftly heading towards the source of the sound. The moment they emerged from the Ice Phoenix Realm and saw the woman standing proudly in the air, their expressions instantly changed.

Luo... Gu... Xie!

A figure that not only his Snow Song Realm but even all the upper star realms absolutely dared not provoke!

Mu Huanzhi forced himself to remain calm and stepped forward, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly, "So it is the Solitary Evil Immortal who has graced us with her presence. For such a distinguished guest, our failure to welcome you from afar is truly rude. May I inquire..."

"Spare me your hypocritical nonsense!" Luo Guxie's gaze was icy cold, and her voice immediately carried a terrifying murderous intent. It was likely that only Yun Che could provoke such a powerful reaction from her. After all, that had been the greatest humiliation of her life—though she had brought it upon herself.

"Hand over Yun Che immediately," she said coldly. "Do not test my patience."

Mu Huanzhi gave a wry smile. "Solitary Evil Immortal, Yun Che is indeed a disciple of my sect, but he died three years ago during the Evil Infant calamity in the Star God Realm. This fact is known throughout the world. Could it be... that you have been in seclusion in recent years and thus haven't heard?"

Mu Huanzhi genuinely had no idea and was utterly bewildered.

Luo Guxie slowly raised her hand. Instantly, the wind and snow froze, and a dangerous aura permeated the very air. "You indeed have no right to know, and even less right to speak with me. Call your Sect Master out... immediately!"

Mu Huanzhi's expression shifted, and he cautiously advised, "Yun Che's death is an absolute truth; anyone in the Eastern Divine Region can confirm it. Solitary Evil Immortal must be mistaken. Perhaps..."

"How noisy!" Before Mu Huanzhi could finish, Luo Guxie narrowed her eyes and abruptly lashed out with her palm.

Luo Guxie's action startled everyone from the Ice Phoenix Sect, who all cried out, "Grand Elder, be careful!"

Facing such a formidable figure as Luo Guxie, Mu Huanzhi was naturally on constant high alert. The moment Luo Guxie raised her palm, his pupils constricted, and his body, like a tightly coiled spring suddenly released, instantly pulled back.

Whoosh!!

A fierce gust of wind whistled past him, making him break out in a cold sweat.

"Still daring to dodge!" Luo Guxie's expression darkened slightly. In terms of seniority, she was technically beneath Mu Huanzhi, but his hurried evasion of her palm was perceived as a grave disrespect. A sudden surge of anger prompted her to launch another palm strike. A palm print instantly traversed space, slamming into Mu Huanzhi's chest. The speed was so terrifying that even if Mu Huanzhi had been ten times faster, avoidance would have been impossible. His entire body convulsed violently, his back arched, and his face instantly turned ghastly pale. He was then sent flying horizontally like a withered leaf, leaving a long trail of blood in his wake.

Mu Huanzhi was one of only two Divine Sovereigns in the Snow Song Realm. A Divine Sovereign's power was incomparably mighty, revered by all beings. Yet, he was facing a true Supreme Divine Master. Before this world's apex of power, a mighty Divine Sovereign was almost laughably vulnerable.

"Grand Elder!!"

All the Ice Phoenix elders and palace masters turned pale with shock. Just then, a blue silhouette flickered into existence in the air. She extended her palm and gently swept it, instantly halting Mu Huanzhi's backward flight as the violent force within him was systematically neutralized.

Mu Huanzhi's face was ashen, and his entire body trembled. He felt as though he had just brushed the precipice of death. He was certain that if the attacking force hadn't been neutralized, his injuries would have been more than ten times worse.

"Sect... Master..." He bowed mid-air, his body constantly swaying from the injuries.

"Go heal your injuries," Mu Xuanyin said, her back to him, her icy gaze fixed on Luo Guxie. "This does not concern you. All of you retreat and do not approach."

"Yes," Mu Huanzhi replied, clutching his chest as his body descended, his aged eyes filled with lingering fear and concern.

The elders and palace masters dared not defy the order, but as they retreated, they were all filled with worry and apprehension, for that was Luo Guxie!

"You are the Snow Song Realm King, Mu Xuanyin?" Luo Guxie's indifferent gaze swept over Mu Xuanyin, a faint, almost mocking smile playing on her lips. "You certainly possess a fine visage. No wonder so many Realm Kings are captivated by you."