Chapter 1499: The Choice of the Abyss

"Why?" Yun Che asked. "Is it possible that senior has no interest in the Ancestral God's Decree anymore?"

Jie Yuan snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Back then, because of this World-Defying Heaven Manual, I was ambushed by that old dog Mo E. It was also due to my curiosity and greed for the World-Defying Heaven Manual that I first disobeyed Ni Xuan's warnings. I never even had the chance to be scolded by him again."

Yun Che was speechless.

"One part of the World-Defying Heaven Manual you hold came from that old dog Mo E. Just looking at it would dirty my eyes, and touching it would dirty my hands! You'd best keep it yourself! Don't ever let me see it!"

"...Alright," Yun Che replied, his feelings quite complex.

He had initially thought that the Ancestral God's Decree in his possession would be the most compelling item to sway Jie Yuan. To his surprise, not only did she show no desire to claim it, but her words were also filled with profound loathing.

On second thought, as the sole Devil Emperor in existence, no power could pose even the slightest threat to her, so why would she need the Ancestral God's Decree? Furthermore, the Ancestral God's Decree was the primary catalyst for the tragedy that befell her and her clan. Her reaction, upon closer reflection, wasn't all that surprising.

This meant that his only viable "bargaining chip" had become completely useless.

"I might as well tell you," Jie Yuan suddenly said, "I did indeed discard the World-Defying Heaven Manual, but not outside of the Primal Chaos. After all, I was born from the Ancestral God, and that was the Ancestral God's greatest gift; how could I place it outside the Primal Chaos?"

"If you're interested in this World-Defying Heaven Manual," Jie Yuan's lips twitched slightly, forming an expression that was hard to describe, akin to a cold sneer or perhaps mockery. "You might as well try to search for it. However, I have come to realize something during my years in the Outer Chaos."

"This World-Defying Heaven Manual is the origin of the profound way. The Ancestral God left it behind simply because she didn't want it to be lost, or perhaps as a test for future generations. Yet, even if someone could gather all its parts and fully decipher it, it would be utterly impossible for anyone in this world to cultivate it to completion!"

"Why does senior believe that?" Yun Che asked, almost instinctively.

"Because the law contained within the World-Defying Heaven Manual is a special existence known as 'Nothingness'. 'All things and beings in the world originate from Nothingness and shall ultimately return to Nothingness.' This is the only divine incantation I comprehended from the World-Defying Heaven Manual I held, yet no matter how I tried, I could never grasp the principle of Nothingness within it."

Yun Che was stunned.

"Aside from the Ancestral God, who truly originated from 'Nothingness,' it's no longer possible for any living being to genuinely touch the law of 'Nothingness,' and that includes even Devil Emperors and Creation Gods! What good is it to gather the entire World-Defying Heaven Manual... hah, how foolish I was back then!"

Yun Che remained still for a long moment before finally saying, "I have learned a great deal, Senior. There is one other matter I wish to discuss with you, and I hope you can grant my request."

"Is it about the 'Evil Infant'?" Jie Yuan asked blandly.

Yun Che's head shot up, his eyes wide in astonishment.

"Hmph, haven't you been with her for the past few days?"

"!" Yun Che's hair stood on end. Was this Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor... a voyeur?!

Although his eyebrow twitched furiously, Jie Yuan's words immediately put Yun Che's anxious heart at ease. "Since Senior knows of the 'Evil Infant's' existence and current state," he said, "does that mean you have no intention of sealing her?"

"Seal her? Why?" Jie Yuan countered. "Whatever the Evil Infant's current state, what does it have to do with me?"

Yun Che was momentarily stunned by her words, finding them somewhat difficult to comprehend.

Apart from other gods and devils, even the Heretic God perished under the Evil Infant's 'Myriad Calamities of No Birth'.

"The Evil Infant acknowledging a master, that is indeed interesting, but it has nothing to do with me." Jie Yuan's words held a special, profound meaning that only she herself understood at that moment. "You don't need to mention it to me again."

"Furthermore, do not bring up anything about my clan again. No matter what reasons, bargaining chips, or other ploys you might consider interesting or useful, do not mention them to me. I do not wish to hear a single word."

Yun Che's lips moved, about to speak, but her voice deepened as she said faintly, "Return here to find me in one month, and I will give you an answer."

"...Yes," Yun Che replied. He couldn't refuse, and from Jie Yuan's words, he faintly discerned that she seemed to have made some kind of decision.

"Hmm..." In the Netherworld Flower Sea, You'er slowly opened her four-colored pupils, gazing hazily in their direction.

Jie Yuan glanced sideways, her gaze instantly softening like a gentle breeze. She whispered, "Call Hong'er out, then go keep You'er company and talk with her for a while."

"Alright..."

Yun Che stayed beneath Jueyun Cliff for a full day. Only when Hong'er became completely drowsy, collapsing onto him and falling asleep with her head lolled, was Yun Che finally permitted to leave.

Yun Che gently picked Hong'er up and transferred her to the space within the Sky Poison Pearl. His movements were exceptionally tender, and his eyes held a hint of the indulgent affection one might show a daughter.

Observing him, Jie Yuan's gaze subtly changed. Suddenly, she said, "I was once like you."

"Oh?" Yun Che looked up, utterly bewildered.

"As the Devil Emperor, I don't know how many lives I'd annihilated, and even obliterating a planet and its existence never stirred any emotion in me. But after having a daughter and becoming a mother, I unconsciously grew more merciful, to the point where I couldn't bear to take a life... because I didn't want to embrace my daughter with hands stained with blood."

Yun Che froze.

"Once you have a daughter and become a mother, the world feels infinitely more beautiful than before. After becoming merciful, all beings in one's eyes also seem to transform, appearing benevolent and kind. The former killing intent, wariness, and decisive nature all subtly fade away without one realizing it..."

Jie Yuan sighed softly, "This was also one of the reasons why Mo E could so easily scheme against me... Even now, I'm unsure if this is a strength of my humanity or a flaw."

"During my years in the Outer Chaos, I gradually came to truly understand that, given my status and position, it was precisely because I had precious family that I needed to become even more ruthless. To embrace loved ones with blood-stained hands, or to let loved ones become stained with blood... if you were in my place, how would you choose?"

Yun Che remained silent.

"Under the current chaotic aura, for you to achieve this realm in thirty years, you must have undergone extensive tempering through blood and life-or-death struggles. Yet, despite your innate pursuit of power, you now lack the commensurate ferocity and ruthlessness. Instead, your heart is filled with benevolent thoughts of 'saving the world'... While this might be a good thing for others, you are different, and you should understand that difference within yourself."

"You, who inherited Ni Xuan's power, are destined to become a king of this world. But a king must not only command respect but also instill fear. You need to consciously guard against the softening of your heart."

"And, speaking for myself, I absolutely do not wish to see you, who inherited his power... become as inherently benevolent as he was back then."

Yun Che considered her words for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Senior," he said, "I have taken your words to heart."

"By the way," Jie Yuan said, her gaze shifting to the side. "That female slave you took is quite impressive."

"Huh?" Yun Che was puzzled as to why Jie Yuan would suddenly bring up Qianye.

"Purely based on looks, she truly rivals the 'First Holy Immortal of the God Race,' Li Suo, from back then! Hmph."

Jie Yuan, who had been exceedingly aloof, clearly spoke with a noticeable grinding of teeth when she uttered the words "First Holy Immortal of the God Race, Li Suo."

Seeing Jie Yuan's expression, Yun Che tentatively asked, "Senior... it seems you had some grievance with the Life Creation God, Li Suo?"

Jie Yuan turned her face away, snorting heavily as she said coldly, "Back then, Ni Xuan was young and foolish, pursuing Li Suo for a full million years! Yet he was always mercilessly rejected by her... It was only after his heart was shattered that he wandered into the Devil Race's realm and encountered me!"

"Hmph! 'First Holy Immortal of the God Race,' indeed! She was nothing but a blind, ignorant, stupid woman! What part of Ni Xuan wasn't good enough for her?!"

"Senior... you are absolutely right," Yun Che said, bowing his head deeply, his face twitching almost imperceptibly. Indeed, women, regardless of their status, were all precisely alike in this regard!

"It's a pity, though, that Hong'er still ended up receiving her favor," Jie Yuan muttered softly, then turned away. "Go now... remember what I said: return here to find me in a month. During this period, do not disturb me for any reason!"

As Yun Che departed, the dark world beneath Jueyun Cliff once again settled into complete tranquility.

Since Jie Yuan's arrival, the constant roaring of the giant beasts that once echoed throughout the area had ceased. Under Jie Yuan's faint, almost imperceptible dark aura, those colossal dark beasts trembled in perpetual fear.

Watching You'er peacefully fall asleep once more, Jie Yuan stood in the Netherworld Flower Sea. Her eyes, which could strike terror into the hearts of all beings, were at that moment veiled in a profound mist of sadness and desolation.

"Ni Xuan..." she murmured softly to herself. "Why, after all these years, can I still not grow accustomed to a world without you..."

"I clung to life so stubbornly, returned with such urgency... what I yearned for most was never revenge, but to see you, to see our daughter..."

"All our clan members, friends, enemies, and foes are gone, and the Primal Chaos has become utterly alien. But our daughter is still safe. Although she transformed from our 'Nijie' into Hong'er and You'er, at least her existence was merely 'divided' but not diminished."

"Hong'er is always so joyous and carefree, and You'er is content as long as she has companionship. Moreover, I have finally found a way to make her complete and ensure she will always have someone by her side."

"Fate destroyed everything, yet spared our daughter. Should I resent fate, or be grateful to it...?"

She closed her eyes, murmuring as if in a dream, "Ni Xuan, I know what you wanted me to do, but forgive me. I'm going against your wishes one last time, because I've found a... better path."

She raised her head, and on her face, etched with countless marks, bloomed a smile that any living being would find impossible to believe. "Ni Xuan, wait for me... Once I find You'er the most suitable home, the one she desires most, I will finally... be able to see you again..."