Chapter 1459: Confused Demon Emperor

In contrast, Mu Xuanyin’s demeanor remained the calmest. She stood quietly, showing no significant emotional change despite the various expressions of gratitude, praise, and flattery from the many Upper Realm Kings and even the venerable figures of the King Realms.

When Yun Che first told her everything, she had considered the possibility of such a scene if he could truly "appease" the returned Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor. Now that it had genuinely come to pass, she still felt somewhat at a loss.

Each of these individuals possessed immense power and held extremely high status. Were their fervent expressions of gratitude for saving their lives and the world truly sincere? Perhaps partly, but certainly not as intensely as they portrayed. More than anything, it was a compliance with the new rules of survival ushered in by the Devil Emperor’s arrival.

The Nanming Divine Emperor approached, his inherent aura silently pushing other Divine Masters away. He bowed deeply to Mu Xuanyin, saying, "The Snow Song Realm King is not only blessed with peerless celestial beauty but has also nurtured a Divine Son who saved the world. My visit to the Eastern Region was worthwhile simply for the honor of meeting the Snow Song Realm King; it is truly the greatest fortune of my life." Facing Mu Xuanyin now, he showed no trace of his previous arrogance or flippancy. His demeanor was courteous, and his words were as elegant as the wind. His gratitude and praise were so genuine that no one could doubt their sincerity.

"You flatter me, Nanming Divine Emperor," Mu Xuanyin replied.

"No, a few words cannot express even a fraction of my reverence," the Nanming Divine Emperor immediately countered. "I humbly extend an invitation for the Snow Song Realm King to visit the Southern Region with Divine Son Yun at your leisure. I will personally accompany you throughout your stay. I sincerely hope the Snow Song Realm King and Divine Son Yun will grace us with your presence."

"You speak too grandly of 'gracing'," Mu Xuanyin said, neither aloof nor dismissive. "If the opportunity arises, we will certainly visit." Facing the shift in "survival rules" brought by the return of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, how different was the First Divine Emperor from a mortal? Essentially, they were all human. Before the weak, they were supreme powerhouses. Before the strong, they were merely weak.

After the two Divine Emperors from the Southern Region, the Holy Universe Realm King, Luoshangchen, finally squeezed through, though his eyes darted about and his steps were somewhat unsteady. He was pulling Lu Changsheng by the hand.

Luoshangchen leaned forward, a wide smile on his face: "If not for the Snow Song Realm King and Divine Son Yun today, a disaster would have already befallen us. The Snow Song Realm King's meritorious deed in saving the world should be eternally inscribed in the God Realm. Recalling earlier years, my son Changsheng once battled Divine Son Yun in the Brahma Heaven Realm. With Divine Son Yun wielding the power of the Heretic God and having such a benevolent teacher as the Snow Song Realm King, how could my son possibly compare? It's no wonder he suffered a crushing defeat. However, to have such a battle with Divine Son Yun is truly the greatest fortune of my son's life."

Lu Changsheng bowed, saying, "My father speaks truly. The battle with Divine Son Yun back then is something I, Changsheng, will never forget."

"Oh, by the way," Luoshangchen said as if suddenly remembering something, speaking with trepidation, "Luoshangchen recently learned that my sister, Gu Xie, seemed to have, out of personal resentment, offended the Snow Song Realm. Fortunately, the Snow Song Realm King intervened and disciplined her. Although Gu Xie has left the Holy Universe Realm, she is still my sister and Changsheng's master, so I am largely to blame and filled with remorse. Within ten days, I will personally visit the Snow Song Realm to offer my apologies. In the future, if the Snow Song Realm King ever needs anything from the Holy Universe Realm, a single word will suffice."

"Very well," Mu Xuanyin nodded. "I've noted it."

The Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor did not concern himself with the other Divine Masters. He pondered the events since Yun Che first appeared in the Brahma Heaven Realm, filled with emotion, and couldn't help but sigh, "The 'Old Ancestor' always said that only a miracle could save us from this calamity. It turns out, the miracle already existed. Before the Heretic God's demise, he left behind the hope of salvation. And Yun Che perfectly ignited this hope. It seems fate has always favored the present world. The Heavenly Mystery Realm did not deceive me; Yun Che is indeed the 'Son of the Heavenly Dao' chosen by destiny."

The Dragon Emperor, beside him, smiled faintly, saying, "It seems our judgment back then was not wrong."

"Haha," the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor chuckled, stroking his beard, as he recalled the Dragon Emperor's offer to adopt Yun Che as his foster son, and his own and Qianye Fantian's desire to take him as a direct disciple. "This old man finally understands why he rejected all those offers and chose to remain in a Middle Star Realm. Bearing the power of the Heretic God, the only creation god legacy in this world, he must have already harbored the intention of saving the world even then. Truly commendable and admirable."

In the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor's eyes, no amount of praise was too much for Yun Che.

"Speaking of which, today's outcome also owes much to your Dragon God Realm," the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor said.

"Oh?" The Dragon Emperor looked sideways.

"Although I don't know exactly what Qianye did to Yun Che back then, Yun Che was indeed forced to remain in the Dragon God Realm because of it, unable to return to the Eastern Divine Region," the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor frowned slightly here. "Fortunately, the Dragon Queen took him in."

The Dragon Emperor remained silent.

"The Dragon Queen is an extraordinary woman, transcendent from the mortal world, distant from all beings, yet her insight is like the stars. She kept Yun Che and even imparted to him Light Profound energy. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to achieve today's outcome. However, few in the world know of this matter, and given the Dragon Queen's character, she would certainly disdain such empty fame." The Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor sighed deeply again: "When the Dragon Queen completes her secluded cultivation, please convey my gratitude, old man, to her."

"...Heh," the Dragon Emperor gave a faint smile, noncommittal.

His earlier pessimism and gloom now turned to optimism, the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor glanced at the spot where Jie Yuan had departed, then turned back and said, "Yun Che's deep gratitude to the Dragon Queen is his great fortune. And from the looks of it, with Yun Che and the Dragon Queen sharing such a relationship, for the Dragon God Realm..." His voice suddenly trailed off, his brow furrowed, and he asked suspiciously, "Dragon Emperor, are you... injured?" He saw a thin trickle of blood slowly emerging from the corner of the Dragon Emperor's lips.

The Dragon Emperor raised a hand, wiping away the crimson oozing from between his teeth, and smiled faintly, "Perhaps it was just a slight reversal of vital energy and blood from enduring the Devil Emperor's pressure earlier. Nothing to worry about."

"Hmm," the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor thought nothing more of it.

"Although the matter of the Devil Emperor's arrival cannot be publicized, it must be reported to the necessary individuals as soon as possible for early warning and preparation. I shall return now. The Eastern Region will be relying on you, Brahma Heaven." As he finished, the Dragon Emperor seemingly added as an afterthought, "By the way, Shen Xi once said that her current seclusion is critically important and will take anywhere from a few centuries to several millennia. So, it seems Brahma Heaven's message will have to wait a while."

The Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor replied, "Your words, Dragon Emperor, humble this old man." He turned, fixed his gaze, and spoke with gathered might, "Everyone, once the news of the Devil Emperor's return spreads, it will surely cause great panic. Therefore, this matter must be kept secret for as long as possible. Furthermore, the Devil Emperor specifically warned us about this earlier... we must not violate this taboo and incur the Devil Emperor's wrath."

Everyone nodded in agreement. They all knew, just as the Brahma Heaven Divine Emperor had said, that the chaotic realm had completely transformed. From today onward, the rules of this world would no longer be set by them... but by an absolute sovereign whom no living being or power could defy.

---

In another space.

This was also cosmic space, but its aura was completely different from before, exceptionally eerie and oppressive. Even the light had a distinct dimness. Moreover, it was extraordinarily vast, with only a desolate, lifeless void, almost devoid of stars.

Yun Che, abruptly brought here by Jie Yuan, quickly scanned his surroundings, then his heart jolted... could this aura and atmosphere be the Northern Divine Region?!

"That planet is indeed gone." Jie Yuan's voice came to his ears. Low... and clearly tinged with desolation.

Yun Che turned his gaze, tentatively asking, "Senior, where is this?"

Jie Yuan did not answer Yun Che. After that murmur, she closed her eyes, remaining silent for a very long time before finally speaking: "How did you obtain his power?"

Yun Che thought for a moment and replied, "The first person to receive the 'Undying Blood' left by the Heretic God was not me, but... my first profound arts master. She accidentally found it in the Southern Divine Region, and after she was poisoned, she met me and used it on me."

"Southern Divine Region?" Jie Yuan's brow twitched slightly. "And the Sky Poison Pearl? Where did it come from? Why has its poison spirit completely changed?"

Although the Sky Poison Pearl had merged with Yun Che, Jie Yuan could still perceive its entirety with a single glance. Because she was the Sky Poison Pearl's first owner! She had the most primal connection.

"The Sky Poison Pearl is..." This was genuinely difficult to explain. Yun Che could only reluctantly explain, "It was found accidentally by my medical master in the world where I was born. Later, due to an accident, I swallowed it, and it just merged with my body. As for its poison spirit, it was likely consumed by the Myriad Tribulations Demon Wheel of Eternal Night, and died after releasing Myriad Calamity's Lifelessness. A new poison spirit only appeared three years ago."

"Swallowed? Merged?" Jie Yuan looked at Yun Che. She was certain Yun Che wouldn't lie to her, but she couldn't understand what he was saying! She stopped asking and simply extended her hand, stating coldly, "Let me see your memories!"

"...Yes," Yun Che couldn't refuse and closed his eyes.

Jie Yuan spread her five fingers and directly grasped Yun Che's crown, a flicker of black energy appearing... but the next instant, a dragon's roar suddenly echoed in her soul, causing her hand to tremble slightly and her brows to knit tightly. Slowly, she withdrew her hand from Yun Che's head and looked deeply at Yun Che again: "A mere mortal, so young, yet not only does he possess his power, but also four divine souls. Heaven has been too kind to you!"

Yun Che just uttered an "Uh..."

"Never mind," Jie Yuan's gaze returned. "Your soul has already formed its own world and is protected by a Dragon God's divine soul. If I force a peek, I might damage your divine soul. It's better not to look!"

Jie Yuan's words resonated deeply within Yun Che for a long time. To avoid harming him... a mortal's divine soul, she simply gave up on probing his memories. The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor beside him, compared to the terrifying demon god he had imagined returning filled with hatred... was completely, utterly different.

"To have obtained his power is your destiny," Jie Yuan said slowly. "To have the Sky Poison Pearl is also your good fortune. He is gone, and the Sky Poison has changed masters, so why should I probe further?" She spoke softly, and what permeated the dim space was an inexpressible sense of confusion and desolation. She had finally returned... but everyone she loved, everyone she hated, was gone.

Yun Che was not Jie Yuan; he could not comprehend such a feeling. The Devil Emperor beside him no longer frightened Yun Che. Perhaps all his previous worries and despair had been entirely unnecessary. He took the initiative to speak, "Senior Devil Emperor, you brought me here for...?"

Jie Yuan said with a trace of daze, "Here, there used to be a planet, one... that he and I created together."

Yun Che remained silent.

"He was one of the Creation Gods of the God Race, and among the four Creation Gods, the least skilled at 'creation.' The first planet he created was only completed with my help... we completed it together. It was also there that we became husband and wife and had a daughter. Unfortunately, that small planet couldn't withstand the bitter war between the two races..."

Jie Yuan clasped her hands. Facing the completely unfamiliar world before her, all her hatred, anger, anticipation, and longing disappeared, leaving only emptiness and confusion... The ones she loved, the ones she hated, the ones she knew... even her past memories, all turned to dust. Why did I come back? Why did I fight so hard to live all those years...?