Chapter 1489: 恒影 Stone

Moon God Realm, Imperial Bedchamber.

Yun Che, escorted by Jin Yue, was already on his way back to the Snow Song Realm.

Back then, in the Eternal Heaven God Realm, Xia Qingyue had suspected Yun Che might possess dark profound energy. Later, when the Devil Emperor returned to the world, Yun Che's possession of the Sky Poison Pearl was simultaneously exposed. From that moment on, a unique method of revenge against Qianye Ying'er began to take shape in her mind.

After Yun Che returned, she immediately took him away.

Now, everything had unfolded as she wished. Qianye Ying'er, that incomparably powerful and venomous woman, had become Yun Che's slave for a thousand years.

Provided she was willing and disregarded the consequences, she could take Qianye Ying'er's life at any moment during these thousand years, completely exacting her revenge.

But clearly, she had no intention of doing so.

Although she had orchestrated everything, the Sky Poison Pearl's toxicity, the control over dark profound energy, and the Heaven Punishing Devil Emperor's deterrence all originated from Yun Che. Therefore, this act was primarily to avenge Yun Che for the "Brahma Soul Seek Death Mark" from years ago, and to provide him with an extremely powerful safeguard. For her, it was merely an outlet for her resentment.

In the bedchamber, only Xia Qingyue remained. Although everything had gone smoothly, she felt an inexplicable unease.

In the silence, she paced slowly. As she approached the chamber door, she suddenly stopped. After a brief silence, she slowly turned around.

A shadowy figure stood silently on the ground she had just trod. Its tall frame, scarred face, and eyes glowing with dark light seemed like an endless night capable of devouring all things.

The Heaven Punishing Devil Emperor!

Xia Qingyue slowly bowed, "Xia Qingyue of the Moon God Realm respectfully greets Senior Devil Emperor."

"..." Jie Yuan's face was cold. Her presence made the entire bedchamber space incredibly grim and silent. She looked at the woman before her and said coldly, "You used my deterrence to scheme against others, yet now that you face me, you're not afraid?"

Jie Yuan's spiritual perception was keen; she sensed that the woman before her wasn't feigning bravery but was genuinely fearless, astonishingly calm.

“At most, it's just death. What is there to fear?” Xia Qingyue said softly.

Jie Yuan's eyes narrowed, dark light congealing. Aside from Yun Che, this was the first time she had taken an interest in a human. "The Nine Profound Exquisite Body and the Ice Phoenix Glazed Heart appearing in one person—such a monstrous anomaly never existed even in my era. Yet, in this murky and diluted present world, it appears in a mortal woman. You've truly broadened my horizons."

Xia Qingyue: “...”

Towards Xia Qingyue, she slowly extended an arm, uttering a chilling, piercing voice, "Though the Moon God's divine power on you disgusts me greatly, I am very interested in *you* as a person right now!"

A flash of dark light burst from her palm, and a ball of black energy descended from above, enveloping Xia Qingyue.

Xia Qingyue instantly felt as if she had fallen into an icy hell, her body trembling and struggling. But in her mind, Jie Yuan's voice echoed: "If you want your soul to be damaged, then struggle all you wish!"

"..." Xia Qingyue's struggles slowed, and then she resignedly closed her eyes.

Her soul was swiftly swept by a dark aura... But immediately, this dark aura, which had penetrated deep into her soul, suddenly congealed coldly, then dispersed without a trace in an instant.

“You...” Jie Yuan's palm remained suspended in mid-air, but her face underwent a drastic change, and her dark devil eyes were fixed for a long time.

“?” Xia Qingyue stumbled back a step, breathing heavily.

She knew the Heaven Punishing Devil Emperor was reading her memories, but she didn't understand why she reacted that way.

“Xia Qingyue,” Jie Yuan spoke her name, “you are the most tragic person I have ever seen in my life... Even I, who experienced the calamity of the outer chaos, feel sorrow for you!”

Xia Qingyue: “...”

“Even more tragically, after finally becoming aware, you actually chose to obey?” The light in Jie Yuan’s devil eyes grew dimmer. “Is it because you felt you couldn’t resist at all, or...”

She didn't continue. Xia Qingyue stood upright and whispered, “Senior, what are you saying? Qingyue doesn't understand.”

“Heh, do you truly not understand, or do you choose not to?” Jie Yuan chuckled lightly. “Thanks to you, I've learned a secret I shouldn't have known... Hehe, destiny truly is marvelous, simply marvelous.”

Xia Qingyue: “??”

A secret she shouldn't have known? Xia Qingyue was completely bewildered by Jie Yuan's words.

Jie Yuan turned around. Just as Xia Qingyue thought she was about to leave, she heard an inexplicable sigh from the Devil Emperor, whose voice then softened. "Come with me to a place."

Back in the Snow Song Realm, Jin Yue escorted Yun Che off the profound ark. Gazing at the endless white world before her, she was momentarily stunned, her eyes unblinking for a long time.

“Jin Yue, this must be your first time in the Snow Song Realm, right?” Yun Che said with a smile. “Why don't you stay and play for a few more days? Anyway, Qingyue didn't say when she needed you back.”

Jin Yue withdrew her gaze and gently shook her head. “This maidservant thanks young master for your kindness, but being away from my mistress for too long makes me uneasy.”

“This maidservant bids farewell... May Young Master Yun be well.”

Jin Yue seemed reluctant, yet she left without hesitation. Yun Che felt a hint of sourness... To feel uneasy after being away for just a little while—how had Xia Qingyue trained these maidservants?

Good thing I have Xian'er by my side. Hmph, no need to be envious!

Thinking of Feng Xian'er, who was always obedient, lovely, and endlessly worshipped him, Yun Che couldn't help but grin. Although he had only been away from the Azure Cloud Continent for a few days, he yearned to return immensely.

And with the current situation, he no longer needed to be extremely cautious when traveling back and forth to the Azure Cloud Continent.

Returning to the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, he went straight into the Holy Hall.

In the hall, only Mu Feixue was present; Mu Xuanyin was nowhere to be seen.

Mu Feixue sat quietly in the hall, like a proudly blooming snow lotus, breathtakingly beautiful and bone-chillingly cold. Her reaction to Yun Che's return was subtle; she merely glanced at him briefly before averting her gaze.

“Feixue,” Yun Che glanced around and asked, “Where's Master?”

“Master is cultivating,” Mu Feixue said. “You won't be able to see her until the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Yun Che acknowledged, then casually sat down, silently processing everything that had happened over the past few days. So many thoughts surged at once, causing a temporary jumble in his mind, which only settled down slightly after a long while.

The Devil Emperor's return...

Jasmine and Caizhi, who were in the God Realm of Absolute Beginning...

How should he face Jasmine, who had become the Evil Infant, and how could he make her accepted by the world...

What exactly happened with Shen Xi... Surely the Dragon Monarch didn't learn *that* "secret," did he? But if Shen Xi didn't actively speak of it, there was no way the Dragon Monarch could have known.

And now, how should he explain the matter of Qianye Ying'er to Master...

Besides all this, there was another, seemingly even bigger matter...

What gift should he prepare for Wuxin?!

Yun Che never wanted to see her deeply disappointed and disheartened expression from last time again.

Moreover, the feeling of having broken a promise to her was far more unbearable than any previous broken promise... It was as if he had committed a grave mistake that he couldn't even forgive himself for.

So, what would be a good gift...

Spirit jades, precious artifacts, or divine crystals from the God Realm?

But these were all things one could buy, too common...

Ethereal Illusory Stone?

While pondering, Yun Che unconsciously took out the Ethereal Illusory Stone, then silently put it back... Although it was a life-saving item, perfectly suited for Wuxin, this particular stone was given by Caizhi. If he gave it to Wuxin, Caizhi would surely hammer him to death if she found out.

Give her a weapon?

He swept his spiritual perception through the Sky Poison Pearl... All the rare and beautiful swords had long been devoured by Hong'er. The remaining ones were not only unsuitable for a girl in appearance but also mostly beyond Wuxin's current ability to wield.

Perhaps he could visit the Moon God Realm another day? There should be some wonderful things there, right?

Or perhaps find something from Qianye Ying'er? Hmm... Not realistic! Before going to the Moon God Realm, Qianye Ying'er would have certainly left all her valuable possessions in the Brahma Monarch God Realm. It was highly likely she had even 'imprisoned' memories involving forbidden secrets.

Although Mu Feixue had remained perfectly silent, her gaze occasionally drifted towards Yun Che. She watched him frown, grimace, and shake his head, a strange and inexplicable sight, as if he were deeply troubled by something.

“What are you thinking about?” Her words slipped out almost before she realized, too late to retract them even if she wanted to.

Yun Che turned his gaze and replied, “When I returned here before, I promised my daughter I would bring her a gift from the God Realm when I went back. But last time, I had to return early because of the Heaven Punishing Devil Emperor, and I completely forgot about it.”

Mu Feixue: “...”

“This time, no matter what, I can't forget it, but...” Yun Che scratched his head, “What exactly should I get her?”

“It's my first time being a father, and I really can't think of what a girl her age would like,” Yun Che said, still troubled. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he looked at Mu Feixue. “That's right, Feixue, you know much more about the God Realm than I do. Do you have any good ideas?”

Mu Feixue subtly turned her jade-like face, avoiding his gaze, and said, “Have you heard of the Eternal Shadow Stone?”

“Eternal Shadow Stone?” Yun Che shook his head. “No.”

“The Eternal Shadow Stone is a type of Profound Shadow Stone that can be used to record images,” Mu Feixue explained, icy light flowing in her beautiful eyes. “Ordinary Profound Shadow Stones have a limited lifespan. Even the highest-grade ones can only preserve recorded profound images for a thousand years at most. Unless repeatedly recorded before breaking down, the images will dissipate after a millennium. Furthermore, even without external forces, ordinary Profound Shadow Stones have a slight chance of suddenly breaking, causing the recorded images to vanish.”

Listening to Mu Feixue's explanation, Yun Che pondered, “From its name, does this Eternal Shadow Stone you speak of allow for permanent recording?”

Mu Feixue nodded slightly. “People change every day, especially girls her age; once they grow, they can never return to how they were. Your father-daughter relationship is so strong. If you could forever preserve how you and she look each day... that would be a wonderful gift for her, wouldn't it?”

“...” Yun Che was moved. After a brief thought, his eyes suddenly lit up. He asked, “Where can I buy or find such an Eternal Shadow Stone?”

“The Eternal Shadow Stone is an ancient artifact; it cannot be formed in the present world. Therefore, its existing quantity is extremely small and difficult to find,” Mu Feixue said, looking at him.

Given the characteristics of the Eternal Shadow Stone, it was almost impossible for someone who acquired one to transfer it to another, making it indeed incredibly difficult to obtain. Yun Che thought for a moment. “Then I'll make a trip to the Heavenly Mystery Realm.”

“No need,” Mu Feixue said. “I happen to have one here.”

She extended her jade hand. In her snow-white palm lay a smooth, small, glistening white jade stone. Unlike ordinary Profound Shadow Stones, it exhibited a peculiar icy-white color, veiled with an inner icy glow, and was as luminous and translucent as the snowy skin of Mu Feixue's palm.

Upon seeing it, Yun Che immediately sensed a very special aura—a hazy feeling of "eternity" that was unfamiliar, unique, yet undeniably real.

Just as Yun Che was about to ask a question, Mu Feixue lightly flicked her jade finger. Instantly, a glistening white arc traced through the air, and the Eternal Shadow Stone floated gently into Yun Che's hand.

“It's for you.” After saying this, she closed her eyes, seemingly having performed a trivial act not worth mentioning.

The unique texture, mysterious aura, and faint warmth of Mu Feixue's body... Yun Che instinctively lowered his gaze: So this was the Eternal Shadow Stone, capable of engraving permanent images...

“Feixue, since the Eternal Shadow Stone is so precious, how can I...”

“It's useless to me,” Mu Feixue said. “You saved my life before; consider this my repayment.”

Yun Che thought for a moment, then put away the Eternal Shadow Stone and smiled. “Alright, then I'll accept it. I believe Wuxin will surely love it.”

Mu Feixue gave no response, returning to her cold and silent state.