Chapter 1596: Self-Inflicted Grave

“G-Grand Elder!”

This unexpected scene made the Yun clan members cry out in shock. Second Elder Yun Fu and Third Elder Yun Hua quickly moved forward. Sensing Yun Jian's injuries, their hearts sank heavily.

The Yun clan members didn't know what had happened, but they were perfectly clear about one thing. Recalling what Yun Che had said earlier in the ancestral temple, and what they had said to him, and then thinking of his feelings for Yun Shang... their hearts immediately felt as heavy as if burdened by ten thousand tons of rock, making it impossible to breathe.

The other elders and grand elders also looked ashen, yet no one glared at Yun Che in anger.

Not only the Yun clan members, but even the trembling people from the Desolate Sky Demonic Dragons and the Nine Luminaries Divine Palace were completely dumbfounded.

What’s going on?

Isn't he the "savior" invited by the Heavenly Might Yun Clan?

Why is he even attacking his own people so brutally?

The old man in green also clearly paused in surprise. His smile then became even more serene. He spoke, "So that's how it is. It seems you are neither a member nor a friend of the Heavenly Might Yun Clan, and you even have a significant grievance with them. It appears today's events were all just a misunderstanding."

Even though Yun Che had mercilessly slaughtered a hundred Desolate Sky Demonic Dragons, annihilated the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord, and severely wounded the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Venerate with a single sword strike, and just now, he had half-killed the Yun Clan's Grand Elder with one strike—this old man in green still wore a smiling face, showing no surprise, no fear, and no apprehension.

Beneath his ethereal demeanor and calm composure, a terrifying aura of power subtly permeated.

He lowered his gaze and said, "Clan Master Yun, may I ask where you invited this esteemed friend from?"

Yun Ting opened his mouth. He rose and bowed deeply, then spoke with some difficulty. "To answer Divine Void Venerate, this... esteemed person's surname is Yun, given name Che, and he is our clan's... distinguished guest."

"Distinguished guest?" The old man smiled faintly. "It seems, then, that your sinful clan's hospitality is rather lacking, making your distinguished guest quite unhappy."

"..." Yun Ting wanted to look at Yun Che, but dared not meet his gaze. For a moment, he was speechless.

He never dreamed that Yun Che, who had stayed with them for over twenty days, would be such a terrifying figure.

And he had stayed, only because of Yun Shang.

Such a person, if they could gain his favor, what enormous help he would be to the Heavenly Might Yun Clan, now on the verge of their destined doom.

But they, of all people... they just had to...

The gloom, regret, and helplessness in their hearts were like countless demons gnawing at their souls. They didn't even dare to recall the scenes that had just unfolded in the ancestral temple.

It's just that, in this world, there is no medicine for regret.

Over by the ancestral temple, Qianye Ying'er still leaned languidly against the stone pillar, her posture unchanged. At her feet lay Yun Shang, still unconscious.

She raised her eyes and glanced at the gruesome dragon blood and dragon corpses scattered everywhere. Her lips, like orchids, softly whispered, "Such intense resentment... Long Bai killed Mu Xuanyin. It seems he's wiped out all the dragon races in this entire world."

Recalling how, over the past few months, Yun Che's inner hostility would sometimes spiral out of control, and when he unleashed it on her exquisite body, there were several times he had unconsciously cried out "Master"... She narrowed her eyes and let out a cold snort: "The Snow Song Realm King, rumored to be the 'Ice Fairy of the Northern Realm,' turns out to be nothing more than a frigid-looking harlot with a lustful heart. How ridiculous!"

"Fellow Daoist Yun," Divine Void Venerate's expression turned gentle once more as he faced Yun Che. He flicked his whisk and said kindly, "Since it's a misunderstanding, everything is easily settled. The Desolate Sky Dragon Clan and Nine Luminaries Divine Palace are here today purely due to their personal grievances with the Heavenly Might Yun Clan, with absolutely no intention of targeting you, fellow Daoist. Our previous disrespect and offense were clearly due to mistakenly identifying you as a member of the Heavenly Might Yun Clan."

"The Desolate Sky Dragon Clan has suffered heavy losses, and its Dragon Lord has also perished. This can be considered a sufficient price for provoking you, fellow Daoist. Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, I ask you to show mercy, fellow Daoist. Both Desolate Sky and Nine Luminaries will surely remember your grace. If we could turn enemies into friends because of this, it would be truly wonderful."

Yun Che's gaze swept over him. His chilling gaze visibly softened. "And who are you?"

This old man's aura was similar to the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Venerate's, even subtly surpassing it. He was clearly another peak Divine Master, of absolutely extraordinary status and position. And given his unwavering composure in this Thousand Desolation Realm, his origin was almost self-evident.

"Heh heh," the old man said, "I am Divine Void Zi, the Chief Protector of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect. If you don't mind, Fellow Daoist Yun, you may simply call me Divine Void Daoist."

The moment the words "Thousand Desolation Divine Sect" were uttered, a majestic power that awed all beings naturally emanated from their simple sound.

Indeed, in the Thousand Desolation Realm, the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect was the supreme heaven!

Since ten thousand years ago, after the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect, under the decree of the Burning Moon Royal Realm, replaced the Heavenly Might Yun Clan as the Realm King Sect, its hegemonic status had become unshakeable, and the Heavenly Might Yun Realm was also renamed the Thousand Desolation Realm.

Over these ten thousand years, the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect had also continuously imposed cruel sanctions on the Heavenly Might Yun Clan. And the Heavenly Might Yun Clan's final sanction, as well as their ultimate fate, were all to be decided by the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect.

The Thousand Desolation Divine Sect grew stronger day by day, while the Heavenly Might Yun Clan declined. Now, even without the decree from the Burning Moon Royal Realm, the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect could easily decide the Heavenly Might Yun Clan's life or death.

To escape the tribal extermination sanction after their destined doom as much as possible, the Heavenly Might Yun Clan had always flattered and offered tribute to the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect. As their final deadline drew closer, they went to extreme lengths to curry favor, regardless of the cost.

And the ambiguous attitude of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect had given them a faint glimmer of hope.

Faced with the arrival of Divine Void Daoist—the Chief Protector of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect—the Heavenly Might Yun Clan was naturally filled with both awe and apprehension, showing utmost humility and not daring to display the slightest disobedience or disrespect.

"Thousand Desolation Divine Sect?" Yun Che's eyes seemed to twitch slightly.

"Indeed." Divine Void Daoist raised a hand to stroke his beard. He chuckled, "I presume, fellow Daoist Yun, you have heard of my Divine Sect's name. If you are displeased in this sinful clan's territory, why not come to my Thousand Desolation Divine Sect as a guest? My Divine Sect will surely treat you with the highest courtesy."

"If you're from the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect, why are you here?" Yun Che's tone was calm, his emotions indiscernible. "Could it be that you're also here to get something?"

Divine Void Daoist shook his head and chuckled, "Although my Divine Sect is commanded by the Burning Moon Royal Realm to punish the sinful clan, we would never stoop to such petty acts. I merely heard that the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan and the Nine Luminaries Divine Palace had both arrived in the sinful domain, fearing a great disturbance, so I traveled thousands of miles to mediate. That I could encounter fellow Daoist Yun because of this is, in fact, a stroke of good fortune."

At these words, Yun Ting hurriedly bowed deeply, saying, "Divine Void Venerate came to protect our sinful clan. Our sinful clan is deeply grateful and does not know how to repay you."

The surrounding Yun clan disciples also quickly bowed or prostrated themselves, displaying expressions of gratitude... Even though they knew it was likely not the truth, they still had no choice but to humble themselves and express boundless thanks.

"So that's it." Yun Che seemed to realize something. The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor Sword in his hand slowly lowered, and even its abyss-like dark glow faded somewhat.

To Divine Void Daoist, and to everyone else, this was only natural. Yun Che dared to kill the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord and the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Venerate, but in this Thousand Desolation Realm, who would dare to offend the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect!

Moreover, Divine Void Daoist, as the Chief Protector of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect, had shown such a clear intention to befriend and win him over.

"If that's the case," Yun Che said slowly, "then you can die peacefully."

Divine Void Daoist's smile froze, and his expression drastically changed. A dark sword light had already crashed down, instantly obliterating all light from his vision.

Though startled, Divine Void Daoist had already been on guard. He swept his whisk out immediately, each strand emitting dark rays capable of destroying mountains and parting seas.

But in just an instant, these powers vanished as if a clay ox had fallen into the sea, destroyed without a trace!

Divine Void Daoist had just witnessed Yun Che's terror with his own eyes, but only by facing him personally did he realize, in utter horror, the extent of the terrifying sword might that Yun Che unleashed.

His reaction was extremely fast. He swiftly retreated, his power and body moving at a speed almost defying normal profound way principles. He moved back several miles like a ghost. And the spot he had just occupied had already transformed into a horrifying dark vortex under that sword strike.

"Yun Che!" Divine Void Daoist's face turned grim, and he was drenched in sweat. His vigilance stemmed only from his natural caution; deep down, he never imagined Yun Che would dare to attack him after knowing he was the Chief Protector of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect. "You dare... Ugh!!"

Boom!!

Golden flames directly exploded on his back, spreading firelight across the sky. Behind the firelight was Yun Che's true form.

Divine Void Daoist's retreat and speed were extremely fast, but how could he be faster than Yun Che?

Under the Golden Crow Flame, Divine Void Daoist screamed like a wailing ghost as he was scorched. Black light continuously erupted from his body, suppressing most of the Golden Crow Flame burning him. But just then, Yun Che's figure appeared behind him again like a phantom, and crimson Phoenix Flame erupted in the same spot on his back.

It almost burned straight through his body.

"Yun... Che!!" Divine Void Daoist roared in pain and fury. "You are making an enemy of my... Divine Sect... Ahhh!!"

Amidst his screams, Divine Void Daoist desperately tried to suppress the flames on his body, while frantically trying to flee afar... The dragon corpses and blood strewn everywhere still emitted a pungent, foul stench. As long as he wasn't incurably foolish, he wouldn't even think of counterattacking.

But if Yun Che wanted him dead, how could he possibly escape?

Buzz!!

Yun Che did not pursue; he extended his palm towards the desperately fleeing Divine Void Daoist, his five fingers gently closing.

Instantly, the furiously burning Golden Crow Flame and Phoenix Flame on Divine Void Daoist's body merged rapidly and bizarrely. They mutated into crimson divine flames with greatly magnified power.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

More terrifying than the rapidly increasing destructive power was the pain, which had multiplied by an unknown number of times. It made even a peak Divine Master cry out like a despairing demon.

His figure struggled and twisted in the air, then he suddenly crashed to the ground, thrashing and rolling like a desperate larva. But those seemingly not-so-intense crimson flames continued to burn to the bone, showing almost no signs of diminishing.

Thud!!

Yun Che descended from the air and stomped his foot onto Divine Void Daoist's chest. His entire right foot instantly sank into his chest.

"Ugh..." Blood foam gushed from Divine Void Daoist's mouth. He stared wide-eyed at Yun Che, his face devoid of any previous composure or geniality, showing only pain and terror. "You... dare..."

He wanted to say that offending the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect was digging his own grave, but halfway through, his words turned into a plea, "Fellow Daoist... we have no grievances... why must you..."

"You didn't have to die. But I hate it when people lie to me. I despise it." Yun Che's foot was on Divine Void Daoist, but his gaze was fixed ahead: "You were hiding on the side from the very beginning, yet you lied to me, claiming you came to mediate. If you take me for an idiot, then I'll just have to make you die."

"Fellow Daoist... mercy..." A single lie could make him so viciously kill the Chief Protector of the Thousand Desolation Divine Sect. How could he dare to threaten or provoke such a madman even slightly? On his face and in his eyes, there was only the most abject plea. "I, Divine Void Zi... am willing to serve you from now on, fellow Daoist... no... willing to be your humble servant, Venerate... Your commands... I will never disobey... Please... mercy..."

"Yun Che... Yun Che!" Yun Ting almost scrambled forward. The Yun clan members following him were all pale. He stretched out his arm and said tremblingly, "Please... please show mercy... don't kill him, absolutely don't kill him, otherwise my Heavenly Might Yun Clan..."

Splat!!

Yun Che stomped down, and black light burst forth from beneath his foot. Divine Void Daoist's Divine Master body, which had been charred beyond recognition, was instantly torn into four pieces, its shattered remains flung several miles away.

"Ugh!" Yun Ting stumbled, collapsing onto one knee, his face ashen.

Yun Che's foot slowly retracted, not stained with a single speck of blood. His gaze shifted eerily, "What happens to your Heavenly Might Yun Clan is none of my damn business."