Chapter 1590: Farewell

"Are you feeling pained? Or perhaps... regretful?" Qianye Ying'er turned to Yun Che, asking as she observed his silence, her words laced with a strange meaning.

"No," Yun Che replied coldly. "I merely gave her an opportunity; her growth must come from herself alone. No growth is easy, especially now within the Heavenly Might Cloud Clan. All eyes, all hopes, and all resources have been bestowed upon her, and with them, she will bear an equivalent burden of pressure."

"Is that so?" Qianye Ying'er asked with a faint, unreadable smile. "Yet you've been quite restless these past few days, even distracted during cultivation. Could it be that you're savoring the memory of Nanhuang Chan'er's body?"

Ignoring Qianye Ying'er's taunt, Yun Che gazed at the tightly closed door. "I'm simply worried that, given their current predicament, the Heavenly Might Cloud Clan might take some drastic action concerning Yun Shang, who represents their heaven-sent last straw of hope."

"Ohh," Qianye Ying'er drawled, a look of sudden realization on her face. "So it's still about that little girl. Come to think of it, Xia Qingyue was only sixteen when she married you. And your daughter mentioned her master, Feng Xue'er, was also sixteen when she 'got involved' with you... Tsk, after all these years, your taste truly hasn't changed one bit."

Yun Che's brow furrowed. "What are you implying!?"

"If your daughter were still alive, she'd be around sixteen now, about Yun Shang's age, and even somewhat similar in appearance. What a pity, what a pity..." Qianye Ying'er slightly lowered her head, idly playing with her slender, pale fingers. "It's a pity she isn't Yun Wuxin. Your daughter is dead, forever dead!"

Yun Che's soul and profound energy simultaneously spiraled out of control. He lunged forward, his hand abruptly gripping Qianye Ying'er's pale neck, dragging her body to slam heavily against the wall behind them.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was frighteningly contorted.

His fingers, locked around her neck like iron hooks, and his ragged breaths felt like fire on her face. Yet Qianye Ying'er showed no alarm. Looking at Yun Che's face so close to hers, she instead revealed a mocking smile. "How did your daughter die? Was she killed by Xia Qingyue? Forced to her death by the Three God Regions? No, she died because of your naivety, your incompetence, and your self-proclaimed benevolence!"

"You!" Yun Che's fingers tightened violently, trembling even as they constricted.

"Do you think that by being kind to Yun Shang, you can erase the sin and guilt of failing to protect your own daughter? That you can fill the void in your heart? I tell you... it's impossible! Never!" Qianye Ying'er's eyes met his, her gaze even sharper than his. "On the contrary, you are only compounding your error!"

"The most important thing you should do now, and the only thing you *can* do, is avenge her! You've finally rid yourself of attachments and weaknesses, yet here you are, forcibly creating another one for yourself? Ha..."

Qianye Ying'er raised her hand and gripped his wrist. "On the first day we arrived here, you claimed your purpose for staying was to exploit the grievances of the Sinful Cloud Clan to seize resources from the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace. And I actually believed you!"

Yun Che clenched his teeth, remaining silent.

"I am your tool, that's true. But don't forget, you are also my tool! You may act foolishly, but I can also prevent you from doing so!" In Qianye Ying'er's beautiful eyes, shimmering like celestial stars, a killing intent capable of chilling all living beings suddenly flashed. "You'd better know when to stop, otherwise... I *will* kill her!"

The air turned deathly cold. In the terrifying silence, Yun Che's hand slowly moved from Qianye Ying'er's neck, leaving five crimson finger marks.

"Though we share a common origin, we are two clans from two different worlds. Since I've already come, there's truly nothing left to linger for." Yun Che closed his eyes, speaking as if to himself.

As he spoke, he extended a finger, and a profound light radiated, slowly erasing the red marks from Qianye Ying'er's pale neck.

Qianye Ying'er slapped his hand away, stating coldly, "So?"

"...Tomorrow, we leave this place," Yun Che whispered. "Whatever fate awaits them on the Day of Reckoning, it will be up to their own destiny and will no longer concern me!"

"Senior... Sister Qianying."

Yun Shang arrived very early, earlier than any day in recent memory. Her mood today seemed good; her smile was noticeably more relaxed than yesterday.

"Didn't you go to the Ancestral Temple today?" Yun Che asked, smiling.

"I just came back from the Ancestral Temple," Yun Shang said, her face beaming. "Grandpa Elders all said my body and profound veins are quite miraculous now. Even the Thunder Dragon's blood can be easily refined and integrated, several times faster than they anticipated. Then, they told me they had important matters to discuss, so they let me come out and play."

In recent days, Yun Shang's aura had shown noticeably significant changes daily, accumulating more and more high-grade spiritual essence from elixirs. Her body had also undergone multiple tempering processes, clearly completed through the tireless, cooperative efforts of several powerful individuals.

Due to the Dragon Splendor Jade Liquid and the Eternal Night Profound Art, Yun Shang's affinity for various spiritual energies—especially dark energy—far surpassed ordinary levels. Consequently, the speed and results of both medicinal pill refinement and body tempering astonished the entire Cloud Clan, filling them with even greater excitement.

Allowing her to relax now was most likely in preparation for an upcoming important ceremony. The Day of Reckoning could well be the day of their clan's extinction, so they intended to use all the clan's power and resources to elevate Yun Shang as much as possible before then.

Yun Shang's face still held a sweet, charming smile, but her gaze was slightly evasive. He knew without asking—Yun Xiang's attitude yesterday had made everything clear. Her clan members must have told her not to get too close to him, perhaps even to persuade him to leave. Yet, she was trying very hard not to let any of this show.

"Yun Shang," Yun Che knelt down and said, "You will endure a great deal of hardship during this period. But in the face of your clan's tribulation, this is a necessary process for you. Your future will undoubtedly be fraught with thorns. I hope... you can grow quickly, and at least, gain the ability to protect yourself sooner."

"Huh?" Yun Shang blinked, a little confused. "Mm, I know. But Senior, you're acting very strangely today; you've never said things like this before."

"I'm leaving," Yun Che stated directly.

Yun Shang froze, her face suddenly stricken with panic. "Leave... Where are you going, Senior?"

"Leaving here, of course," Yun Che said. "I've been a guest in your clan for quite a while; it's long past time to bid farewell."

"But... but..." She panicked, a profound, disorienting panic. "Senior, you said you would stay until the Day of Reckoning."

Yun Che reached out, placed a hand on her shoulder, and looked into her eyes. "Yun Shang, you must remember this firmly: never easily trust anyone's words. Because anyone... even those you believe you trust the most, will deceive you."

Yun Shang's eyes trembled. She parted her lips, then gave a soft laugh. "Mm! Senior is... such an incredible person. Not only did you save me and bring me back to my clan, but you also gave me so much... Yet I'm still so greedy... not wanting you to leave... I..."

She forced a smile, but tears streamed down her face, unstoppable. "Senior's world must be very high and vast... wherever you go in the future, please be safe."

"Mm, don't worry," Yun Che said, reaching out a finger to wipe away her tears, his gaze utterly calm and peaceful.

"I... I'll go tell Grandpa Clan Chief and Brother Xiang. Everyone will surely want to see you off personally." Her small hand unconsciously gripped Yun Che's sleeve, unwilling to let go.

Yun Che shook his head. "No need. I'm leaving now. They probably wished I'd left earlier anyway."

Yun Shang's gaze dimmed. She lowered her head, and after a moment, she softly asked, "Senior... will you come to see me again someday?"

"No," he replied, flatly and cruelly.

Wiping away all the tears from her face with effort, she didn't appear sad. Instead, she lifted her small face forcefully. "Then... if I find Senior in the future, please don't run away, okay?"

"...Alright," Yun Che nodded gently. "But my world is, as you said, very vast and high-reaching. If you wish to find me, you must become far stronger than you are now."

"Mm!" She nodded very, very emphatically. "No matter... no matter what happens, I will live well. I... will... definitely see Senior again."

His hand lifted from her shoulder, and his gaze moved away. Yun Che said, "Qianying, let's go."

Before his voice faded, he had already stepped forward, pushed open the door, without a trace of hesitation or lingering attachment.

"Senior!" From behind him, Yun Shang's voice called out again. "Could you grant me one more wilful request?"

Yun Che's steps halted.

"Senior, could you... leave me something?" Her voice was soft, on the verge of tears, yet pleading—enough to melt any heart of stone. "Then, when I miss you, I can..."

"Unnecessary distractions will only become obstacles in your life." Yun Che's harsh words cruelly cut off her voice. Then he stepped forward again, walking onward.

One step... two steps... three steps... Behind him, the young girl's voice was heard no more. Only a silent sorrow spread.

Yun Che's steps came to a sudden halt. He let out a heavy breath, then abruptly turned, returning to Yun Shang's side. A rich and pure dark glow emanated from his fingertips.

The light of the Eternal Night Profound Art.

"Ah..." Amidst Yun Shang's flustered gasp, Yun Che's finger traced a dark, arc-shaped mark on her chest. The moment the mark formed, a black light flashed abruptly, then vanished without a trace.

"Sen... Senior?" She looked up, bewildered.

"When you encounter danger, you can try to use it to call my name."

With that, he turned, soared into the sky, and amidst a swirling storm, his figure was already in the distant heavens, until it vanished completely.

Yun Shang silently gazed at the distant sky, her eyes blank and unmoving for a long time.