Chapter 1522: Blackness

"Yun Che," the Dragon Monarch said, looking at Yun Che calmly. "The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's Wheel of Myriad Tribulations is an instrument of ultimate evil, one that once annihilated even gods and devils, let alone the current world! Her very existence plants an incredibly dangerous seed in the world, capable of unleashing the most terrifying disaster at any moment... As long as the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor exists, no one can guarantee that such a thing won't happen! Not even if she truly acts as the Heavenly Slaughter Star God!"

"The annihilated Era of Gods is a bloody lesson from the past!"

"The Heaven Emperor God Emperor not only killed the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor but also eradicated the greatest calamity of this age. He deserves the gratitude of all beings; even I, the Dragon Monarch, must show him respect."

"It was already inappropriate for you to associate with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor. But now, because of this utterly evil Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, you wish to kill the Heaven Emperor God Emperor, who has blessed the entire world... This is truly heartbreaking and disappointing!"

With the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor gone and Jasmine no longer present in this world, the Dragon Monarch once again became the true supreme ruler.

The weight of every word he spoke was unparalleled in the current age.

The space, just reborn from the calamity, was permeated with a strange aura. Xia Qingyue frowned deeply, letting out a faint sigh to herself.

Yun Che's greatest reliance had never been his 'Savior' halo, but rather the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and Jasmine. Additionally, it also included her and the Heaven Emperor God Emperor.

After the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor departed, with Jasmine by his side, Yun Che remained an uncrowned king whom no one dared to offend.

However, a sudden turn of events, unexpected by all, not only saw the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor depart forever but also resulted in Jasmine being cast into the lifeless Outer Chaos.

The Heaven Emperor God Emperor, who had been closest to him, suddenly became the one he hated most...

Listening to the Dragon Monarch's words, Yun Che laughed, a laugh of utter desolation and coldness. "When I promised on behalf of Jasmine that she would forever return to the lower realms, why... did none of you ever reprimand me for associating with Jasmine?!"

"The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's Wheel of Myriad Tribulations is indeed on her, but... this 'ultimately evil' Jasmine you speak of, she saved you all, she saved you all! Beyond that, tell me, what unforgivable great sin has she committed?! What irreversible disaster has she caused?!"

The Dragon Monarch's gaze was utterly cold; he didn't even look at Yun Che directly. His majestic, stern face seemed filled with disappointment. "It seems you are truly misguided and refuse to see reason. Merely for insulting the Heaven Emperor God Emperor on behalf of the utterly evil Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, you have committed an unforgivable sin. However, considering your contribution to saving the world, I shall give you an opportunity to witness the will of the world with your own eyes, and let them tell you what is right and what is wrong!"

"Everyone," the Dragon Monarch's voice was solemn, every word shaking souls. "Those who believe the Heaven Emperor God Emperor deserves to die and Jasmine should not, stand with Yun Che; those who believe Jasmine deserves to die and the Heaven Emperor God Emperor should not, stand with the Heaven Emperor God Emperor. Everyone, make your choice according to your own understanding and will."

"Hahahaha," as soon as the Dragon Monarch finished speaking, a particularly arrogant burst of laughter rang out. "One person's death for eternal peace. Is there truly any need to ponder what's right or wrong, what's just or unjust?"

The Southern Sea God Emperor stepped out, slowly positioning himself between the Dragon Monarch and Qianye Fantian. As he turned his gaze to Yun Che, he subtly glanced at Qianye Ying'er, who was not far behind him, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "It's true that you have the merit of saving the world; otherwise, how could a junior from the lower realms like you be qualified to speak with us? But this title of 'Savior God Child' doesn't mean you can act with impunity!"

"Yun Che, God Child Yun..." The Southern Sea God Emperor seemed to be smiling. "Don't ever forget, your identity as the 'Savior God Child' is currently known only to us here. Don't be ungrateful and lose even the title of 'Savior God Child'!"

The space fell silent. Everyone remained quiet, their expressions constantly shifting.

The atmosphere had completely changed. From the moment Qianye Fantian stepped forward, it had utterly transformed.

Qianye Fantian, the First God Emperor of the Eastern Divine Region, represented the highest authority in the Eastern Divine Region;

Nan Wansheng (Southern Sea God Emperor), the First God Emperor of the Southern Divine Region, represented the highest authority in the Southern Divine Region;

And the Dragon Monarch, not only the First God Emperor of the Western Divine Region but also the supreme ruler of the current age, represented the highest authority of the entire God Realm.

The figures who held the highest authority in the three divine regions were all standing opposite Yun Che.

Given the stature of those present, how could they not sense an abnormal aura?

It was because of Yun Che that the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor was willing to leave the Primal Chaos and personally blocked the devil gods who nearly returned. The promise that Jasmine would not violate the God Realm was also facilitated by him, dispelling their shadows of fear towards her...

He was the undisputed Savior God Child, the pride of the Eastern Divine Region. The recognition and gratitude of most of these Realm Kings towards him were genuinely heartfelt.

As for the God Emperors... they treated Yun Che with warmth and courtesy, almost as equals—including the Dragon Monarch, Qianye Fantian, and Nan Wansheng, the three First God Emperors.

The Heaven Emperor God Emperor, in particular, had always spoken highly of Yun Che.

Only a quarter of an hour ago, everything was still like this.

But now, with Jie Yuan's departure and Jasmine being ambushed by the Heaven Emperor God Emperor... everything suddenly changed.

And the change was so drastic, so bizarre!

With Jasmine gone from the world, Yun Che no longer possessed the deterrence that even God Emperors dared not touch. It was not surprising that the Brahma Heaven God Emperor would suddenly make a move... because the Brahma Emperor Goddess being branded with a slave seal by Yun Che was undoubtedly the greatest humiliation for the Brahma Emperor God Realm in recent years.

They could also accept the Southern Sea God Emperor's sudden move, after all, his infatuation with the Brahma Emperor Goddess had turned into an obsession, and his hatred and jealousy were enough to make him do anything.

But why was the Dragon Monarch doing this?!

They were not fools; how could they not see that these individuals were absolutely not simply defending the Heaven Emperor God Emperor?

"One person's death for the peace of the world!" Luo Shangchen, the Saint Universe Realm King, stepped out, loudly repeating Qianye Fantian's words. "I don't know what wrong the Heaven Emperor God Emperor has done! Yun Che, you are far too insolent!"

"Indeed!" Another Realm King immediately stepped out, standing beside the Heaven Emperor God Emperor. "For the sake of the utterly evil Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, you actually wish to kill the Heaven Emperor God Emperor, who is most respected by the world and even sacrificed his own reputation to eliminate the greatest calamity of this age—this is truly outrageous!"

"Even if you are the Savior God Child, this King absolutely cannot accept it!" A third Realm King followed closely.

The attitudes of the three First God Emperors were enough to decide everything.

Other God Emperors and various Realm Kings began to shift positions. About half of them rebuked Yun Che, even glaring at him angrily, showing no trace of the gratitude they had displayed earlier when facing the 'Savior God Child,' or even bowing in thanks.

The other half remained silent but also stood on the side of the Heaven Emperor God Emperor and the three First God Emperors.

"Let's go," the Qilin Emperor said to the Azure Dragon Emperor beside him. He could sense that the Azure Dragon Emperor's mind was not at peace.

The Azure Dragon Emperor did not move.

"This matter has nothing to do with right or wrong," the Qilin Emperor said slowly. "Our choice is not merely a personal one; it concerns the Royal Realm we belong to."

The Azure Dragon Emperor let out a soft sigh and, together with the Qilin Emperor, stood by the Dragon Monarch's side.

Who would stand against the three First God Emperors for a junior who had lost his deterrent power?

Savior God Child?

When the Devil Emperor was in the Primal Chaos and the devil gods could return at any moment, Yun Che was the Savior God Child, on whom all their hopes rested... Whatever Yun Che said, that's what it would be, because he could indeed decide their fate.

With the Devil Emperor gone, Yun Che had Jasmine by his side. Jasmine possessed the most terrifying power in the current age; no one dared to offend her, nor dared to offend Yun Che... and no one would question his 'Savior' halo.

But with his mission of saving the world complete and the crisis resolved, before everything was made public, Jasmine was also "accidentally" consigned to the Outer Chaos... Thus, his 'Savior' halo would no longer truly belong to him but would be determined by those with the strongest power and highest authority.

Because he could no longer decide their fate.

Yet the three First God Emperors who stood opposite Yun Che could!

From this moment on, the 'Savior' halo shining from him would no longer represent his accomplishments, but rather human nature!

Before long, with the exception of Xia Qingyue, who remained still, everyone in the crowd had moved to stand with the Heaven Emperor God Emperor... *everyone*.

And on Yun Che's side, there was no one at all!

This scene left many of those standing beside the Heaven Emperor God Emperor feeling a deep sense of irony and lament.

The Heaven Emperor God Emperor's expression was incredibly complex; he let out a heavy sigh.

"So, do you see now?" the Dragon Monarch said indifferently, his dragon eyes, subtly tinged with coldness, seeming to look down upon a pathetic ant... yet only moments ago, he had been the Savior God Child praised by all.

The Heaven Emperor Guardians also hadn't expected such a situation and were somewhat at a loss.

"Apologize to the Heaven Emperor God Emperor; this is what you must do," Qianye Fantian said indifferently, every word like a divine judgment.

"Heh... hehe... hehehe..." Yun Che began to laugh, his cold, mocking laughter causing many to instinctively avert their gaze. "Tell me, who gave you the ability to stand there now, completely unharmed?!"

"Was it I and Jasmine, or was it that old dog, the Heaven Emperor?!"

No one answered.

"You keep claiming Jasmine is the utterly evil Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, but what evil has she truly committed all these years?! Even when she killed the Moon God Emperor back then... it was the Moon God Emperor who first harmed her mother! And her willingness to become the master of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor was to prevent it from falling into others' hands and wreaking havoc upon the world!"

"And it was the 'ultimately evil' Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, as you call her, who saved your lives... Every single one of you, your clansmen, your descendants... all owe her a life!"

"Yet that old dog, the Heaven Emperor, who used the most despicable means to kill the one who saved you, is instead revered by you as a 'saint'!?"

"Your eyes can be blind, and you can be ungrateful, but... have even your most basic conscience and sense of shame been devoured by dogs?!"

"Yun Che!" Xia Qingyue spoke before anyone else, her figure flashing as she arrived at his side, reaching out to grasp his arm. "You're too agitated. Come with me and leave this place first. We can think about other things once you've calmed down."

Yun Che swung his arm, violently flinging Xia Qingyue's hand away. He gazed at the figures before him, which were gradually blurring, and his voice, low as a devil's curse, spat, "You deserve to die... You... all... deserve... to... die!!"

Calm?

How could he be calm?

How could he possibly be calm?!

In the eyes of others, they might be puzzled, surprised, and perplexed as to why Yun Che would be so furiously enraged and lose his mind over the utterly evil Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor. Even if Jasmine had indeed saved them, it shouldn't have caused him to suddenly go mad.

In their eyes, that was the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor; even if she saved them, she was still the most evil and intolerable being in the world.

They didn't know the depth of feeling between Jasmine and Yun Che, and they certainly didn't know that she was the Jasmine Yun Che could not lose in his life! His unassailable soft spot!

Such unforgettable days and nights spent together;

Such heart-wrenching separations;

Such persistent searching;

Such painful and despairing losses;

Such joyful recoveries;

Such warm, heart-melting embraces;

Such contented and hopeful returns together to the Blue Pole Star...

But... why did it have to end like this!

If she were a demon controlled by the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, if she had committed unforgivable, heinous sins... Yun Che would be in pain, but he would have no one to resent.

But she wasn't a demon; she saved everyone! She had *just* saved everyone!

And himself... these were all the people he had saved from Jie Yuan, yet at this very moment... just as Jie Yuan had departed, they stood by the side of the Heaven Emperor God Emperor, who had killed Jasmine!

"Ying... slave..."

His voice trembled uncontrollably. Calm? To hell with calm! He felt only rage, only hatred: "Kill... them... Kill them!!"

Qianye Ying'er received the command. Her figure flashed like flowing light, her golden silken soft sword slicing through the void as she swept forward.

Xia Qingyue frowned, hastily intervening to block in front of Yun Che.

The power of the Brahma Emperor Goddess's attack was terrifying. But...

Long Bai, Qianye Fantian, and Nan Wansheng all stepped forward simultaneously, extending their arms.

*Boom!*

The three First God Emperors, the strongest three in the current age!

In an instant, space collapsed and golden light scattered. Qianye Ying'er's figure briefly froze in mid-air, then was violently thrown back, landing a hundred miles away.

The lingering force of the impact swept over, causing the barrier Xia Qingyue hastily erected to tremble violently, then shatter. Yun Che let out a muffled groan, collapsing to his knees, blood spraying from his mouth, every drop infinitely cold.

But the light of hatred in his eyes became even more chaotic and ruthless.

"God Child Yun, it seems you are truly mad," Qianye Fantian said indifferently, seemingly with a hint of pity.

"To actually want to kill us for the sake of Jasmine, who shouldn't even exist? Heh... truly laughable."

"Yun Che," came the Southern Sea God Emperor's voice. "The name 'God Child Yun' is a commendation for you, and even more so, a grace! Do you really take yourself for a so-called God Child...?"

The voices in his ears gradually faded, until they were completely unintelligible.

His vision blurred little by little. The world seemed to be shrouded in a layer of black mist... growing denser and heavier. Yet, he didn't want to dispel it, didn't want to break free...

In the depths of his soul, the voice from just nine days ago echoed:

"Yun Che, answer me a question... You said, does this world... deserve this from me?"

"It's worth it!" his voice replied, so serious and firm. "Compared to the world of gods and devils of the past, the current Primal Chaos space is humble. This world, without gods and devils, has undergone years of evolution and developed a new stable order and mature survival laws, with its own peaceful planes and spaces. Although it has many despicable and dark corners, and can sometimes cause despair, there is more goodness and beauty; at least... it is worth me protecting it with everything I have."

"If this world, as you say, remains worthy of your protection with everything you have, then this seed will never awaken... But if one day, you suddenly become utterly disappointed and resentful towards this world, then this seed will awaken."

Jie Yuan had planted a dark seed in his body. He didn't know what it was, but he clearly remembered his answer at the time:

"I have experienced many losses, yet regained them time and again; I have experienced despair multiple times, but in the end, the bright light of hope always arrived; I have endured much malice, but goodwill will always outweigh malice."

"The people from the highest planes of this world have always silently maintained the balance of the God Realm's order, especially with the existence of the Heaven Emperor God Realm, which judges taboos and sins, keeping the entire Primal Chaos in a peaceful and stable state."

"Therefore, I truly believe that such a day will never come... I imagine, senior, you also believed this, which is why you made such a decision."

"Haha... hahahaha... hahahahahahaha!"

Yun Che suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, laughing like a madman, his laughter tearing at his heart, filled with desperate sorrow...

The space suddenly darkened, and a terrifying sense of dullness and oppression, from an unknown source, enveloped everyone's souls. Everyone frowned deeply, just about to search for the source of this aura, when suddenly, at the same instant, their pupils drastically constricted.

On Yun Che's chest, a pitch-black profound array violently bloomed. It shimmered silently, yet it caused the dark profound energy within Yun Che to wildly riot, like an awakened devil god, all of it madly surging and chaotically unleashing.

Yun Che's hair floated upward, and his eyes glowed with a dark black light, like an endless abyss. Dense black energy coiled menacingly around his body... harshly piercing into everyone's eyes.

"Dark... Profound Energy!!"