Chapter 1504: The Conditions of Jue Yuan

After leaving Flowing Cloud City, Yun Che called for Qianye Ying'er and commanded her to tear space. In just a few moments, they arrived at the edge of the Absolute Cloud Cliff on the Cyan Cloud Continent.

After giving Qianye Ying'er an instruction, Yun Che plunged straight down, consumed by urgency, and quickly vanished into the darkness.

Qianye Ying'er's brow furrowed slightly as she stared directly into the dark abyss below. Even with her exceptional vision, she couldn't pierce through the darkness beneath the chasm, nor could she sense any unusual aura.

She knew the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor was below and was curious about this peculiar being. If Qianye Ying'er were in her usual state, she would undoubtedly investigate, but at present, she could only obey orders and wait.

Yun Che descended to the bottom of Absolute Cloud Cliff as swiftly as possible. The dark world had been exceptionally quiet lately. As he reached the sea of Netherworld flowers, he immediately spotted Jie Yuan's figure.

She was with You'er, seemingly whispering something to her. You'er listened quietly and obediently. Upon seeing Yun Che, her vibrant eyes glowed with a familiar, unusual light. Her ethereal, mist-like half-soul body almost instinctively drifted closer to him, her gaze unwilling to leave him.

Jie Yuan turned, glanced at Yun Che, and asked calmly, "Why the rush?"

Sensing no displeasure or anger in Jie Yuan's gaze or aura, Yun Che secretly let out a breath of relief. He quickly explained, "This junior unexpectedly entered a state of enlightenment half a month ago and nearly missed our appointed time. That's why I rushed here, hoping I haven't kept you waiting long."

As he spoke, his hand gently brushed You'er's cheek. Though he couldn't truly touch her, it seemed to bring a faint smile to You'er's small face, and her ethereal form drifted a fraction closer to him.

Witnessing You'er's affection for Yun Che, which far surpassed that for herself, Jie Yuan turned her head, a complex, ineffable feeling stirring within her. She said dispassionately, "You arrived just in time. It's almost 'that time' now."

"That time?"

"The time for my people to return."

Yun Che's heart clenched.

"You needn't be nervous," Jie Yuan said, not looking at him, her gaze fixed on the darkness. No one could discern her thoughts. "During this time, while accompanying You'er, I also observed many places and have gained a basic understanding of the current Primal Chaos. As of today, I can tell you 'the answer'."

Yun Che held his breath, listening intently. He knew that Jie Yuan's next words would irrevocably determine the future fate of the Primal Chaos—no exaggeration.

"Currently, only those at the highest echelons of what you call the God Realm are aware of my existence. They have been quite obedient, refraining from publicizing this matter. I also know that they regard you as their sole 'savior,' placing all their hopes upon you. And you, indeed, are more concerned about this than anyone else."

"The ultimate decision still rests with you, Senior," Yun Che said. "This junior has always understood that no one has the right to demand anything of you. However, as a mortal living in the current Primal Chaos, even though I know I have no standing, I still..."

"Hmph, you needn't utter such nonsense," Jie Yuan scoffed coldly, then slowly stated, "Promise me one thing, and I can guarantee... my people will not bring even a trace of turmoil to the current Primal Chaos!"

Jie Yuan's words stunned Yun Che. It took a full two breaths before he abruptly looked up. "Senior, what... did you say!?"

"What? You can't believe your own ears?"

"..." Yun Che genuinely couldn't believe his ears. Anyone in his position would surely think they were experiencing auditory hallucinations.

The fact that Jie Yuan's return hadn't brought disaster was already a divine blessing. The truly terrifying prospect was the hundreds of devil gods about to return, filled with boundless hatred; any single one of them could inflict endless catastrophe upon the Primal Chaos, let alone nearly a hundred.

What Yun Che, the Eternal Heaven God Emperor, and all those privy to the truth had constantly sought was for Jie Yuan to control the returning devil gods, filled with resentment, to prevent the God Realm from being utterly destroyed. For this, they were willing to humble themselves and submit. As for the chaotic space outside the God Realm, it was entirely beyond their consideration.

To have the returning devil gods merely rule them, rather than annihilate them—this was already the most favorable outcome anyone dared to hope for.

Yet Jie Yuan's words were, astonishingly... that her people would not cause even the slightest disturbance to the Primal Chaos!?

Every single word was spoken by Jie Yuan herself, yet Yun Che still found himself utterly unable to believe it.

"Senior, did you just say... that you won't let your people bring even a single trace of turmoil to the current Primal Chaos?" Yun Che repeated Jie Yuan's words, enunciating each one slowly and distinctly.

"Hmph, how could I, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, deign to deceive you?" Jie Yuan said coldly. "But the precondition is that you promise me one thing—something only you can do, and something you absolutely must do!"

"...Very well!" Yun Che steadied his breathing and slowly nodded. "Please tell me."

"Listen carefully," Jie Yuan finally said, turning her head. A pair of eyes as black as abysses fixed on him. "I want you... for this life and all future lives, to care for my two daughters—Hong'er and You'er. No matter what happens, you must never harm them, and certainly never abandon them!"

"..." Yun Che stood there, dumbfounded.

For a long time, Yun Che had been afraid to contemplate what the Primal Chaos would become after the devil gods' return. He had never discussed it with anyone from the Blue Pole Star. Subconsciously, he had been desperately trying to avoid visualizing those possible—or even inevitable—scenarios.

Because even the most optimistic and hard-won outcome he could imagine would undoubtedly be incredibly cruel.

True devils, imbued with immense hatred, numbering nearly a hundred, were a horror beyond human comprehension.

But now Jie Yuan herself had stated that she wouldn't allow her people to bring even the slightest harm to the world... could this truly be possible?

If it truly were possible, then the accompanying conditions would certainly be extraordinarily difficult.

Thus, as he listened to Jie Yuan's words, his heartstrings were taut with tension. But when Jie Yuan finally revealed her conditions, Yun Che once again couldn't believe his ears.

Care for Hong'er and You'er; do not harm them, do not abandon them.

That's... that's all?

"Hong'er's eyes have never known sadness; only joy and an unwavering attachment to you," Jie Yuan said slowly, meeting Yun Che's stunned gaze. "Therefore, I believe you have always treated her well. Furthermore, since your lives are intertwined, I can trust that you won't abandon her."

How could Yun Che possibly abandon Hong'er? Setting aside the bond they had forged over years of co-existence, Hong'er was not just Hong'er; she was also the Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword, an indispensable companion he relied on completely.

"And You'er, she has suffered in solitude for so many years, forever confined to darkness, without companionship, never knowing what the outside world is like. I hope someone can lead her out of this dark world and always be by her side, so she won't continue to be lonely, and her life can become as joyful as Hong'er's."

"That person is you."

You'er felt an exceptionally deep closeness to Yun Che, perhaps due to his Heretic God's aura, or Hong'er's presence, or perhaps because he was the first person to frequently visit and accompany her after her endless solitude. At the very least, Jie Yuan was certain that if You'er could be Yun Che's companion forever, just like Hong'er, it would be the happiest thing for her.

Yun Che listened cautiously and attentively. He then asked, "You'er's current state is that of an incomplete devil soul. If she were to leave this purely dark place, she would suffer severe damage, perhaps even dissipate. Does Senior intend... to complete You'er's soul and then give her a physical body?"

"No," Jie Yuan replied, shaking her head. "You'er's soul is very unique. Although it is a pure devil soul that was split, it still originates from the union of myself and Ni Xuan, unlike the soul of any other living being. Furthermore, if her soul were to be completed or reinforced with other souls, would the complete You'er... still be You'er? Would You'er, mixed with other souls, still be my daughter?"

"..." Yun Che found himself unable to answer. Ni Xuan and Jie Yuan, the Elemental Creation God and the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor—their forbidden union produced offspring that were undoubtedly the most unique and singular beings in the world.

The only way for Hong'er and You'er to become whole again was for their souls to re-merge, forming the complete "Ni Jie," but...

"I initially considered fusing Hong'er's and You'er's souls together again, and then reforming a single body. That way, my child with him could return completely whole. However, your words convinced me... Hong'er and You'er already possess their own independent experiences, memories, and wills, and both are my daughters. How could I erase their existence simply to restore 'Ni Jie'?"

Yun Che pondered for a moment, then asked, "So, Senior, you already have a method?"

"The answer, is it not with you?" Jie Yuan replied.

Yun Che's eyes widened in confusion.

Jie Yuan continued, "You once told me that Hong'er's complete form likely came about when the Sword Spirit God Clan's patriarch used his own soul as a source to reshape her soul, and then recreated her body once her soul was whole. In truth, I knew then that such a thing was utterly impossible."

"Eh?" Yun Che uttered.

"My daughter with Ni Xuan possesses the most unique soul in this world. It is utterly impossible for it to perfectly fuse with the soul of any other living being, not even other Creation Gods or Devil Emperors. And given Ni Xuan's nature, he would be even less willing than I to accept his daughter's soul being tainted by those of other beings."

"The other part of the soul that made Hong'er 'complete' was, in fact, the sword soul personally forged by Ni Xuan himself!"

The Heretic God... personally forged a sword soul?

"Neither Hong'er's nor You'er's souls could possibly perfectly bond with any other human soul, so an instrumental soul became the only viable option. Within Hong'er's sword soul, there exists Ni Xuan's most fundamental soul aura, meaning it could only have been personally forged by him. From that point onward, Hong'er became a fusion of human and sword souls—half human, half sword."

"The 'light' power within the sword soul was undoubtedly specifically bestowed to ensure Hong'er could safely remain within the Sword Spirit God Clan. Perhaps it was granted by the Sword Spirit patriarch, or perhaps by that woman, Lisha."

"Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword—the name he personally inscribed on Hong'er's sword soul. The words 'Devil Slayer' were to signify her identity within the Sword Spirit God Clan, while 'Heaven Smiting'..." Jie Yuan closed her eyes, her voice quivering for a fleeting moment. "Perhaps that was an obsession he simply couldn't relinquish."

The Heaven Smiting Devil Clan was one capable of transforming into swords. Hong'er's mother was the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, and her soul naturally possessed a unique affinity with swords. The Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword she embodied had the light attribute for slaying devils, as well as the distinct devil might of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor.

However, Hong'er's unique ability to feed on swords was a special mutation that even Jie Yuan couldn't comprehend.

Yun Che's heart was violently shaken.

Back then, when the Ice Phoenix Divine Spirit explained it to him, she surmised that Hong'er's complete existence was granted by the Sword Spirit God Clan's patriarch, enabling her transformation into the Devil Slayer Sword with divine power. Though a conjecture, it seemed quite certain... Now, it turned out she was mistaken; all of it was actually the Heretic God's own doing.

Indeed, as the proud Heretic God and the progenitor of this child with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, how could he possibly allow his daughter's soul to be intermingled with those of other beings? If that were the case, the complete "Hong'er" would never truly be his pure daughter again.

Had Jie Yuan not returned, no one in the world would ever have known who shaped the complete Hong'er. This was because, after that point, the Heretic God could no longer see Hong'er, nor could he allow the world—including Hong'er herself—to know she was his daughter.

After molding Hong'er into her complete form, she effectively became another's daughter. Everyone came to know Hong'er as the daughter of the Sword Spirit God Clan's patriarch.

As a father of a daughter himself, Yun Che couldn't imagine the helplessness, heartache, and profound sorrow the Heretic God must have carried after turning away and leaving her behind all those years ago.

"Could it be, Senior, that you intend for You'er to be like Hong'er... by forging half a sword soul for her as well?" Yun Che finally began to grasp Jie Yuan's meaning.

"No," Jie Yuan shook her head. "A sword soul capable of perfectly integrating with Hong'er and You'er is not so easily forged. The sword soul Ni Xuan created for Hong'er required finding at least a thousand Heavenly Spirit Divine Swords, and the integration process demanded an enormous sacrifice from him."

"In the original Primal Chaos, he likely couldn't have managed it a second time; otherwise, he certainly would have forged a suitable sword soul for You'er as well. In the current Primal Chaos, it's impossible to even find a single 'god-level' sword, so how could a similar sword soul possibly be forged for You'er?"

Yun Che only half-understood Jie Yuan's words. How could he possibly comprehend powers on the level of a Creation God?