Chapter 1580: Mysterious Cicada Cloak

In the five realms of the Nether Realm, Divine Sovereigns reigned supreme. Across the East, West, North, and South Nether Realms, there were more than a dozen Divine Sovereigns in total. The Battle of the Central Nether Realm was a clash of peak Divine Kings, a level of power second only to that of Divine Sovereigns.

Yet on this day, with a single strike from Yun Che's sword, these supreme beings of the five Nether Realms were annihilated in swathes, like fragile blades of grass. Three of the four Realm Kings perished. Even Bei Han Chu and Lu Bubai, who had come to supervise the battle, also met their end here. The Battle of the Central Nether Realm had transformed into an utterly terrifying catastrophe. And all of this…

A black shadow flickered, and Yun Che descended, landing before the Southern Phoenix battle formation. His aura was subdued, devoid of bloodlust or malice, yet it sent shivers through the Southern Phoenix contingent, causing them to stiffen and retreat in panicked haste.

They were dead…Everyone… utterly dead…One sword… just a single strike?!Such a person, representing their Southern Phoenix… participating in the Battle of the Central Nether Realm?! Was there anything more ludicrous, more absurd, in this world?

Nanhuang Mofeng stepped forward, his body taut as a stretched spring. He bowed to Yun Che, cupping his hands, "Thank you, Venerable Yun… for your mercy."

Nanhuang Jian’s legs trembled for a good three cycles before he finally managed to step forward, feigning composure. "To witness Venerable Yun's might today," he declared, "Nanhuang Jian… would have no regrets, even in death."

"Sigh," the Southern Phoenix Divine Sovereign let out a long sigh, gazing at the Central Nether Realm battlefield, which had been transformed into an abyss. His heart was a tumultuous mix of boundless dread, endless lament, and profound sorrow. Three Realm Kings and tens of millions of profound practitioners had simply perished. This included Bei Han Chu, who was on the Northern Region Heavenly Sovereign Ranking, and Lu Bubai, who held a prominent position even within the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace. Even he would require a considerable amount of time to fully process the events of this day.

The Northern Divine Region was an exceptionally brutal world; softness and pity were the last things one should possess. Yet, to annihilate tens of millions without batting an eye… this transcended mere cruelty or cold-bloodedness. It was the mark of a true demon. He could foresee that for a long time to come, every survivor from Southern Phoenix, including himself, the Southern Phoenix Divine Sovereign, would shiver with dread whenever they recalled the scenes from this day.

Without a word to Yun Che, he turned and waved his hand. "Let's go," he instructed. He knew they all yearned to distance themselves from Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er as quickly as possible.

"Farewell, Father," Nanhuang Chanyi curtsied gracefully. No one spoke or asked anything further. They departed, overwhelmed by extreme trepidation and bewilderment, leaving only Nanhuang Chanyi standing her ground, facing Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er alone. The Southern Phoenix Divine Sovereign did not appear concerned for her safety either.

"Rest assured, no one from Southern Phoenix will utter a single word about today's events," Nanhuang Chanyi stated. "The Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace won't know your names either. However…"

"You are truly ruthless."

Her face was obscured, and her eyes unseen. Only her voice remained remarkably steady. Had it been anyone else, even her elder brother Nanhuang Jian, they would have struggled to speak clearly and coherently, let alone maintain such composure.

"Hmph, wasn't it all because of you!" Qianye Ying’er retorted coldly.

While they had killed Bei Han Chu and Lu Bubai, they absolutely could not afford to provoke the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace. They were keenly aware of the formidable power wielded by a massive sect from an Upper Star Realm. To truly eliminate all future repercussions, Southern Phoenix should have been utterly eradicated… Yet, both Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er chose not to attack Southern Phoenix; Yun Che, in particular, had deliberately avoided them. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but that they couldn’t. All because of Nanhuang Chanyi…

Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er had come to the Battle of the Central Nether Realm seeking territory and resources within the Central Nether Realm. The situation escalating to this point was indeed largely due to Nanhuang Chanyi—both her "entanglement" with Bei Han Chu and her various provocations.

"Me?" Nanhuang Chanyi's gaze subtly shifted, landing on the white-robed girl who had remained dazed for so long. "Wasn't it because of her?" she mused. Before the white-robed girl appeared, Yun Che had merely stepped on Bei Han Chu’s face and seized his Hidden Heaven Sword, using it to subtly probe Nanhuang Chanyi. However, the girl’s appearance completely escalated the conflict, resulting in Qianye Ying’er slicing Bei Han Chu with a single sword… The difference between before and after was immense.

"I want the Central Nether Realm," Yun Che stated abruptly, his voice cold.

"Very well," Nanhuang Chanyi nodded without hesitation. "From this moment forth, the Central Nether Realm is yours. You may use it for as long as you wish within the next five hundred years."

"Before I leave the Central Nether Realm, I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone," Yun Che continued.

"…Understood." Nanhuang Chanyi still nodded. "Starting tomorrow, no one but you two will set foot in the Central Nether Realm. You may do as you please, even if you decide to blow the realm to smithereens."

All who deserved to die were dead. While the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace wouldn't know the exact circumstances of Bei Han Chu and Lu Bubai's deaths, they would certainly know they perished within the Central Nether Realm. It wouldn’t be long before they dispatched personnel here. Furthermore, the Realm Kings, battle formations, and all spectators from the East, West, and North Nether Realms had been utterly annihilated. One could well imagine how turbulent the Central Nether Realm would become. While Southern Phoenix possessed the ability to fend off the other three realms, they could certainly not withstand the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace. Yet Nanhuang Chanyi still agreed.

She had said that whatever Yun Che desired, she could certainly provide. And the answer she sought, she had already received.

Qianye Ying’er’s lips subtly moved, sending a message to Yun Che.

"Very well. In six months, I will come to the Central Nether Realm to meet you," Nanhuang Chanyi stated.

"…!!" Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er’s expressions subtly shifted simultaneously. This was because Qianye Ying’er had just conveyed to Yun Che the exact phrase: "Tell her to come to the Central Nether Realm in six months."

"Don't worry, we are friends," Nanhuang Chanyi seemed to smile. "Only those fools from the Eastern, Western, and Southern Divine Regions would choose to make enemies of monsters… and sworn, irreconcilable enemies at that."

Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er remained silent.

Nanhuang Chanyi turned, floated gracefully into the air, and slowly drifted away. "Yun Che, Yun Qianying, welcome to the Northern Divine Region. Your presence today strengthens my belief that this world, abandoned by the Heavenly Dao, has finally ushered in the dawn of a new era… even if it is a dark dawn."

Qianye Ying’er’s golden eyes slowly narrowed. Beneath her golden brows, what reflected was not shock or relief, but an incredibly dangerous cold light… A moment later, a subtle, beautiful curve played on her lips.

Their suspicions had been confirmed: Nanhuang Chanyi’s unusual actions were indeed due to her long-standing knowledge of the name "Yun Che." The Northern Divine Region and the three other Divine Regions were mutually exclusive, with information severely restricted between them. Although Yun Che had shone with an incredibly dazzling aura in the Eastern Divine Region… that was, after all, the Profound God Convention for young profound practitioners, and when he won first place in the Conferred God Battle, Yun Che was only in the mid-stage Divine Spirit Realm. Given the difficulty for the Northern Divine Region to acquire intelligence from the other three Divine Regions, it was highly improbable they would have specifically focused on someone of his cultivation level. Even Qianye Ying’er, in her capacity as the Brahma Monarch Goddess, knew of the Northern Region Heavenly Sovereign Ranking's existence but had never bothered to learn who topped the list in any given generation. After all, young prodigies were simply too numerous and their positions too frequently alternated. Even Yun Che, who abruptly became a devil and was pursued across an entire realm, was merely a level one Divine King.

As for Jie Yuan's return, Yun Che's salvation of the world, and all events that transpired during that period—the news had been completely sealed off. Few in the three Divine Regions, apart from the highest echelons, knew of it, let alone the Northern Divine Region, which had no involvement whatsoever from beginning to end. Strictly speaking, it wasn't entirely impossible for the Northern Divine Region to have some knowledge of these events… but it certainly shouldn't have been at the level of the five Nether Realms. For someone to extend their reach to such a degree, it could only be…

Nanhuang Chanyi knew Yun Che's identity, and very likely Qianye Ying’er’s as well. Yet, they knew nothing about Nanhuang Chanyi… other than her title as the Southern Phoenix Grand Princess.

"Can you roughly estimate her cultivation level?" Yun Che suddenly asked.

Qianye Ying’er shook her head. "At the very least, we are absolutely no match for her." Simply by how easily she had intercepted her voice transmission.

Yun Che’s expression darkened. To encounter such a figure in the Middle Star Realm of the Northern Divine Region was truly a great misfortune… This variable was too significant, too sudden, and completely beyond their control.

"She said we are friends. What do you think?" Qianye Ying’er asked.

Yun Che’s eyes lifted, and he spoke coldly, "The Northern Divine Region… it only has tools, no friends!"

"Good," Qianye Ying’er responded, clearly satisfied with Yun Che’s reply. "Then let's turn Nanhuang Chanyi into a tool, or perhaps…" A strange glint flickered in her eyes. "A slave."

Yun Che turned, looking behind him. This Central Nether Realm could indeed become a place exclusively for him and Qianye Ying’er. However, given the immense variable that emerged today, this was no longer the place they should remain.

Noticing Yun Che’s gaze, Qianye Ying’er had a sudden realization. "So, your request to Nanhuang Chanyi for the Central Nether Realm and your wish not to be disturbed were all a pretense?" she asked. "Your true intention was to secretly leave this place without her knowing?"

"From the moment she asked me to face ten Divine Kings alone, I knew she was testing me," Yun Che replied. "You are right; what we need now is time, and any variables must be avoided. With Nanhuang Chanyi here, we should not remain."

"My view is quite the opposite," Qianye Ying’er countered. "Precisely because Nanhuang Chanyi is here, the Central Nether Realm will, in fact, become the most secure place."

Yun Che’s brow twitched.

"Furthermore," Qianye Ying’er continued, "When you were on the Central Nether battlefield, I observed her closely. I found her flawless in many aspects, yet she possesses one very foolish trait."

Yun Che tilted his head.

"That is benevolence," Qianye Ying’er revealed. "Especially when your sword struck just now, she clearly intended to intervene, only barely managing to restrain herself at the last moment… Had she not wished to conceal something, in any other scenario, she would undoubtedly have intercepted your power. Furthermore, her respect for her father is genuinely heartfelt." As she spoke, a glint of cold mockery flickered in her eyes.

After a brief contemplation, Yun Che looked at the rescued white-robed girl. Earlier, when facing Lu Bubai, she had been brave and defiant. Now, her small face was filled with fear, and she stood motionless, not daring to speak.

"What is your name?" Yun Che asked.

The girl parted her lips, and after a long moment, she timidly whispered, "Yun… Shang."

Yun Che extended his hand to her. "Come with me," he said. "I have some questions for you." She had personally witnessed Yun Che transform their world into an abyss of death in an instant. She dared not refuse, nor did she have any other choice. Obediently and with extreme caution, she placed her small hand into Yun Che’s.

"Aren't you going to explain to me first?" Qianye Ying’er said coldly.

Yun Che did not reply. Holding the girl’s hand, he silently walked towards the incredibly quiet depths of the Central Nether Realm.

At the boundary of the Central Nether Realm, Nanhuang Chanyi paused, turning gracefully. She extended her delicate hand, and a black ring slowly materialized on her slender finger. As light flickered in her eyes, a strange black lotus silently bloomed upon the ring:

"Master, he has arrived…"