Chapter 1491: Thousand Leaf True Face

"You... placed a slave imprint on her?" Mu Xuanyin finally spoke. It was the only possibility she could conceive, yet the very idea was the most absurd and impossible thing in the world.

"Yup, hehe." Yun Che smiled triumphantly. The extreme reactions around him seemed insignificant compared to the fact that Qianye Ying'er had a slave imprint on her. "Master is truly clever."

The moment the words left his mouth, he jolted and quickly corrected himself: "Disciple... disciple meant to say, Master is wise."

Even with the Brahma Monarch Goddess as his slave, he still showed such "fear" towards her. A flicker of surprise crossed Mu Xuanyin's icy eyes, and her mind finally settled. "Was this Xia Qingyue's purpose in taking you away?"

She knew Yun Che's capabilities well. She absolutely did not believe he could have accomplished this on his own.

"Yes," Yun Che replied honestly. "If Master wishes to know, this disciple will provide a detailed account."

Mu Xuanyin turned away and said, "There's nothing else. All of you may leave."

"Ah... yes." It took the crowd a while to react to Mu Xuanyin's command before hastily responding. Though they had somewhat regained their senses, the shock in their hearts was still like a surging tempest. As they retreated, their gazes repeatedly swept towards Yun Che and the Brahma Monarch Goddess, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

Qianye Ying'er, a figure whom countless heroes of the God Realm only dreamed of glimpsing, the Brahma Monarch Goddess whom even the Southern Region's First God Emperor had sought for years without laying a finger on her, had actually... willingly become Yun Che's slave!?

This was absolutely... no, if word got out, it would be the most incredible, unbelievable, and outrageous thing anyone, any living being, had ever heard in their lifetime.

The Dragon Queen and the Goddess were rumored to embody six-tenths of the world's grace, the two most dazzling women of their time! The Dragon Queen was the Dragon Monarch's wife, and the Goddess, though perhaps not equal to the Dragon Monarch in status, was still expected to marry a God Emperor. Who could have imagined she would belong to Yun Che... and as his slave at that!

Even setting aside his other titles and honors, such as the God Child of Salvation, the mere fact that he acquired the Goddess made Yun Che, in many respects, a man considered an equal to the Dragon Monarch in the eyes of the world.

One could imagine... no, it was unimaginable how insanely jealous and enraged those Realm Kings, God Children, and God Emperors who lusted after, admired, and coveted the Brahma Monarch Goddess would become upon learning this news.

"Shadow Slave, rise," Yun Che said indifferently, though he didn't tell her to follow him. "Guard this place. Do not go anywhere without my command!"

"Yes." Qianye Ying'er's eyes and face bore an inherent coldness and arrogance that made it impossible to even look directly at her, let alone approach. Yet, her reply was surprisingly obedient.

Back in the Divine Hall, Yun Che meticulously recounted to Mu Xuanyin how he had plotted against Qianye Fantian and Qianye Ying'er.

Mu Xuanyin was certainly one of the people he trusted most in this world and would never hide anything from. Especially after learning from Xia Qingyue that Mu Xuanyin had risked the Snow Song Realm's involvement to rescue him four years ago, the emotions in his heart were indescribable.

As Yun Che spoke, Mu Xuanyin neither interrupted nor spoke, though her gaze shifted several times—especially when Xia Qingyue so easily guessed that Yun Che could wield dark profound energy.

"The Eastern Region's First God Emperor and the Eastern Region's First Goddess, two of the most formidable figures in the Eastern Divine Region, were so easily manipulated by her." Mu Xuanyin murmured with a furrowed brow, "The legendary Glazed Heart truly is astonishing..."

"Qingyue has indeed changed a lot," Yun Che said after a moment's thought. "So much that it frightens me a little."

"She is the least likely person in this world to harm you, so what is there to be afraid of? Just like this time, she bore all the risks, yet all the benefits went to you." Mu Xuanyin said, seemingly touched. "You should indeed be glad she isn't your enemy."

Yun Che: "Uh..."

"Although this act will certainly astound the world, it is indeed an excellent outcome for you," Mu Xuanyin said slowly. "In this world, there is no guardian more perfect or reassuring than a slave imprint. Moreover, Qianye Ying'er's strength rivals that of a God Emperor, and the Eternal Heaven God Emperor can attest to it. With her protecting you, everyone can be at ease about your safety."

While Yun Che had the protection of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, she couldn't protect him every single moment. If someone wanted to harm him without considering the consequences, many could easily succeed.

But now, with a Qianye imprinted as a slave by his side, it was truly difficult *not* to feel reassured.

"Now, with the Brahma Monarch Goddess as your slave, and the Eternal Heaven God Emperor and Moon God protecting you, even without the deterrence of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, you can already roam freely in the Eastern Divine Region." Mu Xuanyin let out a soft hmph, her emotions indiscernible as she spoke.

"And Master too!" Yun Che immediately added, "Master is my greatest and most important guardian... always has been."

"..." Mu Xuanyin's icy eyes flickered slightly. From Yun Che's gaze, which met hers directly and refused to avert, she sensed that he seemed to know about what happened four years ago.

Mu Xuanyin turned her back and said coldly, "Yun Che, I will say it again: my only direct disciple now is Mu Feixue. You are no longer my disciple!"

"..." Yun Che did not respond.

Mu Xuanyin's gaze was complex... perhaps even a complexity she herself couldn't quite decipher. She let out a soft sigh and said, "You should go attend to your important task. The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's matter concerns the safety of the entire Chaos, so even if it's just for yourself, you must put in your utmost effort."

"This disciple understands," Yun Che replied. "However, before that, I wish to go to one place first."

Mu Xuanyin: "?"

"The God Realm of Absolute Beginning." Yun Che's chest rose and fell as he softly said, "I want to... I must bring her back."

Mu Xuanyin closed her eyes briefly. After a moment, she didn't object, but instead said very calmly, "From the day the Devil Emperor returned to the world, this world has already become one dominated by devils. It's just that the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor hasn't officially announced it to the world yet."

Mu Xuanyin's words were true, an underlying reality known to everyone aware of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's return.

"Then, the Evil Infant, who was previously intolerable to the world, might now be accepted, or at least have to be tolerated, and there's a strong possibility of that. For her and for you, this is a great opportunity. You... should indeed go and find her."

What Mu Xuanyin said was almost identical to Xia Qingyue's words.

Yun Che looked up, staring blankly at Mu Xuanyin's back, speechless for a moment.

Xia Qingyue's lack of repulsion towards dark profound energy and the Evil Infant stemmed from her origins in the lower realms, where she lacked the deeply ingrained biases of the God Realm. Yet Mu Xuanyin... she had tolerated his dark profound energy, and now, she was actively encouraging him to seek out the Evil Infant, a being feared and rejected by the world.

"She transformed into the Evil Infant because of you, and her power will be given to you without reservation. If you can bring her back, and have another power of her caliber by your side, even if her existence is still not tolerated by the world, you will become the most formidable person in this world."

"If you are going, go now."

The God Realm of Absolute Beginning was an extremely dangerous place for Yun Che, but Mu Xuanyin showed no excessive worry in her words because he had the protection of the Brahma Monarch Goddess.

And the Brahma Monarch Goddess was rumored to be the most familiar with the God Realm of Absolute Beginning; she had entered and exited it more times than all the God Emperors of the Eastern Region combined.

In the chaotic void, the Vanishing Moon Divine Ark sped towards the center of Chaos. Though not at full speed, it was certainly fast enough to leave most Divine Masters far behind.

To enter the God Realm of Absolute Beginning, Divine Sovereign Realm profound energy was the minimum requirement... that's right! A Divine Sovereign, who reigned supreme in a region of the God Realm, was merely at the threshold for entry into the God Realm of Absolute Beginning. Even a Divine King entering would be no different from seeking death.

Yun Che's purpose in entering this time was not for experience or opportunity, but solely to find Jasmine.

After learning from Xia Qingyue that she was definitely in the God Realm of Absolute Beginning, Yun Che couldn't wait another day.

Jasmine, I thought I had lost you forever. The news that you are still alive is the most beautiful celestial music I have ever heard in my life. What does it matter if you are the Calamity Evil Infant... as long as you are alive, nothing else matters.

You knew from the beginning that I possessed the Nirvana Flames bestowed by the Phoenix Divine Spirit, so you must have known that I was actually still alive... Yet, in these past few years, you haven't sought me out, nor have you reappeared before the world.

I know why...

Who in this world could understand you better than I?

This time, no matter what, I won't let you escape again.

The vast space rapidly receded as the God Realm of Absolute Beginning drew closer. Inside the Vanishing Moon Divine Ark, Qianye Ying'er stood quietly beside him, her flowing golden hair gently caressing the demonic curves of her hips and waist.

This was Yun Che's first time alone with Qianye Ying'er, yet the terrifying aura emanating from her bloodline and profound veins still made his liver tremble periodically.

He might need a considerable amount of time to adapt to the role of "Goddess's Master."

"Shadow Slave," Yun Che suddenly commanded, his tone quite rigid and authoritative, "Take off your mask!"

He had never seen Qianye Ying'er's true face, and it seemed no one else had for many years either.

Qianye Ying'er had worn a mask for many years, revealing only her lips, chin, and a small part of her jade-like face. The reason for this was rumored to be that her true appearance caused too much trouble. Another rumor suggested that Qianye Ying'er believed her beauty was unworthy of being seen by men.

Regardless of the reason, in the eyes of the world, she was at least the only woman whose beauty could rival Shen Xi in their era.

Every time Yun Che faced Shen Xi, he felt an illusory sensation, as if he were deeply immersed in a dreamlike fairyland.

Shen Xi was indeed so beautiful as to be illusory, so beautiful that one felt she was too exquisite for the mortal world, even for dreams. Unless seen with one's own eyes, it would be absolutely impossible to believe a woman could be so stunning...

Anyone who had seen Shen Xi's face would not doubt why the supreme Dragon Monarch of their era was so infatuated with her.

Every time Yun Che pressed her beneath him, he would become exceptionally frenzied... even feeling as if he would have no regrets dying ten thousand deaths.

Shen Xi was such a "terrifying" person.

Could Qianye Ying'er truly compare to a woman like her, one who transcended the mortal world and even dreams?

To be honest, Yun Che was quite doubtful.

"Yes," Qianye Ying'er softly responded. She raised her arm, and her jade-like fingers lightly touched her face. Instantly, her golden mask silently fell into her hand.

Her true face, which she had not shown to anyone for a long time, was now completely and intimately revealed before Yun Che's eyes.

The world within the Vanishing Moon Divine Ark suddenly fell silent at that moment, as Yun Che's breathing, heartbeat, and even the flow of his blood completely ceased in an instant.

The bright moonlight illuminating the ark silently faded, until no one could perceive its presence anymore.

Yun Che watched silently, blankly, as if cursed. His entire body was motionless, his pupils utterly frozen. Every shred of his gaze, every wisp of his soul, was being drawn by an irresistible force, then plummeting into an endless abyss...

Time, it seemed, had completely stopped.

The Vanishing Moon Divine Ark seemed to have collided with a meteorite, letting out a dull, cracking sound.

Yun Che's pupils constricted slightly. He abruptly turned his head away, his eyes tightly shut, breathing heavily, and his chest heaved violently... as if he had just endured a life-and-death battle lasting several days and nights.

"Put the mask back on," Yun Che gasped. "Never take it off without my command!"