Chapter 1576: Mysterious Girl

"Martial Uncle..." Bei Hancho thought he misheard. "What did you... say?"

"Give it to him!" Lu Bubai's voice grew heavier, and his gaze was filled with cold sternness.

It wasn't just Bei Hancho; everyone present could hardly believe their ears.

Although Bei Hancho had proactively offered the Hidden Heaven Sword as compensation for the alleged defamation, this offer was made under the absolute certainty of both Bei Hancho and Lu Bubai that Yun Che had *not* defeated the Ten Divine Sovereigns with his own strength. It was intended to completely cut off Yun Che's escape route. Otherwise, Bei Hancho would never have risked the Hidden Heaven Sword, even with the slightest possibility of a setback.

But now, Bei Hancho was utterly defeated and disgraced... Was the Hidden Heaven Sword, originally just a feint, truly going to be handed over to Yun Che?

The Hidden Heaven Sword was no ordinary profound sword. The name of the Hidden Sword Palace itself derived from the Hidden Heaven Sword, and its status and importance within the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace were self-evident. It was a treasure that guarded the sect, a symbol of its prestige! Handing over the Hidden Heaven Sword would mean losing not just a sword, but the entire reputation of the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace!

"No... I can't!" Bei Hancho shook his head, trembling all over. "How can the Hidden Heaven Sword fall into the hands of an outsider!"

As the arrogant Divine Sovereign on the Northern Region Heavenly Sovereign Ranking and the Young Palace Master of the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace, he was willing to publicly retract his word to protect the Hidden Heaven Sword. However, his face was already completely lost under Yun Che's feet; perhaps a complete loss was better. If he were to lose the Hidden Heaven Sword just like that, even with his importance within the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace, he would undoubtedly face severe punishment.

Lu Bubai's face suddenly darkened, revealing a hint of anger. "The Hidden Heaven Sword is indeed the treasure that guards our Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace. But, a loss is a loss. The Hidden Heaven Sword can be lost, but the dignity of our Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace cannot be."

"..." Bei Hancho was even more stunned. Because the Hidden Heaven Sword was too important... its importance surpassed the so-called dignity.

At that moment, Lu Bubai's urgent voice transmission suddenly reached his ear: "Say no more! Hand the Hidden Heaven Sword to him immediately! This person named Yun Che, his strength should be no less than mine!"

The next sentence made Bei Hancho's expression change dramatically: "Furthermore... he might be from a King Realm!"

Although Bei Hancho had just entered the Divine Sovereign realm, he was a true Divine Sovereign, yet he was completely powerless against Yun Che. And Lu Bubai's recent strike on Yun Che left no trace of injury, which told Lu Bubai that Yun Che's strength was very likely not inferior to his own! A Divine King at the fifth level being comparable to a mid-stage Divine Sovereign—if such an absurd thing truly existed, it could only originate from a King Realm! Yun Che, knowing full well they were from the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace and that Bei Hancho was their most heavily cultivated talent, had acted cruelly and ruthlessly without any hesitation, clearly showing no regard for the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace. All of this corroborated the possibility that Yun Che was a junior from some King Realm!

The words "King Realm" immediately shattered Bei Hancho's last shred of conviction. Even the hatred, anger, and killing intent in his heart seemed to be stomped on, instantly deflating. His gaze hardened, and he forced a semblance of resolve onto his face: "Alright, I, Bei Hancho... will keep my word!"

With a turn and push of his palm, the Hidden Heaven Sword appeared, then was sent towards Yun Che. Yun Che reached out and grabbed it, not even sparing it a glance, and put it away directly, as casually as if he had picked up a stone from the roadside.

Watching the Hidden Heaven Sword disappear into Yun Che's hand, both Bei Hancho and Lu Bubai's faces twitched violently.

"Don't worry, I will speak to the Grand Palace Master and your Master about this," Lu Bubai transmitted to Bei Hancho again. "The Hidden Heaven Sword has the most fundamental soul connection with our Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace... If he isn't from a King Realm, he won't be able to escape."

If Yun Che truly came from a King Realm, they absolutely could not afford to offend him further. However, if it was later discovered that he was not from a King Realm, they would have no more reservations. Through the soul connection with the Hidden Heaven Sword, they could easily pinpoint its location, and with the power of the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace, reclaiming it from Yun Che would be effortless!

Lu Bubai nodded to Yun Che and said, "The Young Palace Master's talent is exceptional, but he is young after all. This heavy setback will be greatly beneficial for his future. On this point, I, Bubai, must thank Your Excellency... Bei Han, with this result, do you still have anything to say?"

How could Divine Sovereign Bei Han dare to raise any further objections? He immediately adopted a solemn expression, suppressing all negative emotions towards Yun Che. "Our three sects' ten profound practitioners were defeated by Southern Phoenix Yun Che alone. This was witnessed by all and is beyond doubt. Our three sects accept our loss in this wager."

"From tomorrow onwards... for the next five hundred years, the Central Wastes Realm shall belong to the Southern Phoenix Divine Kingdom."

Every word Divine Sovereign Bei Han spoke felt like a drop of blood from his heart. Especially the last sentence; he tried his best to control himself, but his voice still trembled noticeably.

"Eastern Wastes, Western Wastes, what about you?" Lu Bubai asked again.

"Of course, no objection," the Western Wastes Divine Sovereign said with a smile, but his smile was so rigid and strained it was hideous.

"...Congratulations, Southern Phoenix." The Eastern Wastes Divine Sovereign closed his eyes and kept them shut for a long time, his face a terrifying pale.

Beside him, Dong Xueyan stared blankly at Yun Che... The palm print on her face hadn't faded, but she no longer felt any pain. For the first time in her life, she truly understood how heart-wrenching regret could be. Her most revered elder brother, Dong Xueci, was crippled by Yun Che in a single blow. Bei Hancho, with all his dazzling prestige, was so easily trampled by him. The Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace, a formidable existence, voluntarily backed down before him, even obediently handing over the Hidden Heaven Sword, a sacred relic.

Recalling how she and Dong Xueci had previously pranced and shouted before Yun Che, they seemed like two ignorant, laughable clowns... No, in his eyes, they probably weren't even as good as clowns.

The battlefield fell silent. Lu Bubai's extreme compromise and clear gesture of goodwill not only deeply shocked the three Realm Kings but undoubtedly stunned everyone present. They simply couldn't imagine what kind of being could make a figure like Venerable Bubai act in such a way.

Yun Che, this mysterious figure who seemed to appear out of thin air... Who exactly was he?!

Nanhuang Chanyi's decision to have him fight last was not an impulsive one, nor was her proposal for one person to face the three sects' ten practitioners a mere bluff. It was clearly a calculated move to draw the three sects into a trap. Even her public rejection of Bei Hancho, now that they thought about it, could it also have been because of Yun Che? Behind Yun Che, was there a backer even more powerful than the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace?

"Chanyi, who... who exactly is he? Who is he?" Nanhuang Jian asked twice, unable to contain his excitement. Even now, his head felt a little dizzy.

"Yun Che," Nanhuang Chanyi replied.

"..." Nanhuang Mofeng also turned at this moment, his aged head slightly bowed, and said with difficulty, "This old man... was blind and presumptuous time and again... offending Your Highness... I am willing to accept any punishment from Your Highness."

"We will discuss this matter when we return. Prepare to fully take over the Central Wastes Realm," Nanhuang Chanyi said.

"Yes," Nanhuang Mofeng answered respectfully this time, bowing deeply.

"Chanyi," the Southern Phoenix Divine Sovereign transmitted softly, "Was all of this planned during the Central Wastes Battle?"

"No," Nanhuang Chanyi replied, "I merely encountered an extraordinary person and seized the opportunity."

The Southern Phoenix Divine Sovereign was speechless.

"Complete control over the Central Wastes Realm for five hundred years, if nothing else unexpected happens, should be enough for the Southern Wastes to grow to a level where it can barely contend with the other three realms." Nanhuang Chanyi slightly raised her gaze, looking at Yun Che. "However..."

"This outcome was not achieved for free. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what kind of reward he will demand."

The core of this Central Wastes Battle was no longer the four Eastern Wastes Realms, but Yun Che alone. His brutal treatment of Bei Hancho and the sight of Lu Bubai humbly yielding were truly too shocking. At this moment, the gazes directed at him held no trace of the previous mockery or pity, only profound awe and fear.

"Let's go," Yun Che turned and said to Qianye Ying'er. "We've done so much work; it's time to collect payment."

"Now is not the time to make enemies; you can't afford to provoke the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace!" Qianye Ying'er whispered coldly. "It's pure luck that this didn't escalate into a major conflict. If you dare to act so presumptuously again..."

She couldn't think of a suitable threat at the moment. After all, in their current situation, she was entirely dependent on Yun Che.

Lu Bubai did not stop them, nor did he speak, never once inquiring about Yun Che's origins from beginning to end. He kept his hand on Bei Hancho, preventing any sudden movements. While watching Yun Che's retreating figure, his gaze briefly lingered on Qianye Ying'er... Her aura was also at the fifth level of the Divine King Realm, like Yun Che's, and her light golden long hair was extremely rare in the Northern Divine Region.

"Martial Uncle, are we truly just going to..." Watching Yun Che disappear from sight like that, no matter what, Bei Hancho couldn't truly accept it.

"Silence," Lu Bubai snapped quietly. He greatly admired Bei Hancho and had even willingly stayed behind him to personally guard his safety during this trip to the Five Ghost Wastes. He rarely spoke sternly to him, but at this moment, his mood was utterly terrible, and merely controlling his emotions required almost all his effort.

"..." Bei Hancho's lips trembled.

Drip... drip...

Blood still trickled down his face. He dared not imagine how hideous his face looked now, but he knew that all his disgraceful acts were clearly seen by the tens of millions of profound practitioners present. Even, these humble profound practitioners were now pitying him. Yes, pity...

He had proudly stood out in splendor, only to be beaten like a dead dog, forced to hand over the Hidden Heaven Sword, and then had to watch him leave safely, not even daring to pursue... It wouldn't be long before his disgrace today spread, becoming a laughingstock of the Five Ghost Wastes, of the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace, and of the Northern Region Heavenly Sovereign Ranking. How terrifying was humiliation. It was countless times worse than the pain of cultivation... With the preceding scenes chaotic and intertwined in his mind, he learned for the first time in his life what it meant to be ashamed and wish to die.

Bei Hancho's body trembled, his pupils turned white. Under the scorching rage in his heart, his entire body shook violently, blood surged backward, and a large mouthful of blood spurted out.

"Chuo'er!" Divine Sovereign Bei Han exclaimed in shock, hastily supporting him. Looking at Bei Hancho's dim eyes, his heart twitched... Bei Hancho had grown up in reverence, emitting an incomparably dazzling aura even within the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace. His life had been exceptionally smooth; how could he bear such humiliation and blow today?

"..." Lu Bubai let out a heavy sigh.

Just then, in the distant sky, the profound ark that Bei Hancho and Lu Bubai had arrived in, which had been floating above the battlefield, suddenly had its dark barrier shatter. This barrier was connected to Bei Hancho's spiritual energy and should have been impossible for anyone inside to break free from. However, with Bei Hancho's spirit and mind collapsing, the barrier also disintegrated.

The unusual sound caused everyone's gaze to shift abruptly upwards... From within the dissipating dark mist, a small, delicate female figure flew out, fleeing rapidly northward.

"Hmph," Lu Bubai snorted disdainfully. He soared into the air, swooping down like a fierce hawk towards the fleeing girl. The girl appeared very young, dressed in flowing white robes, and her cultivation was only at the late stage of the Divine Spirit Realm. Facing an existence like Lu Bubai, even if she had escaped her cage, there was no possibility of her escaping at all.

Sensing the imminent danger from behind, the girl turned her face, but without fear. Instead, she displayed a cold resolve completely unbefitting her age. Her small hand swiftly waved, and a bolt of lightning flashed from the void, striking directly at Lu Bubai.

CRACK!!

Lu Bubai completely ignored it. The lightning struck him square on the head, but the mere power of the Divine Spirit Realm couldn't even harm a single strand of his hair.

"!?" Yun Che suddenly stopped, his brows deeply furrowed.