Chapter 1626: The Leader of the Celestial Lords

Chi Yan Ying’er also stopped, her eyelids slightly lowered, looking at him languidly.

Her gaze shifted to the man in green. His eyes were as clear as his voice, and his demeanor was remarkably refined. Even people from the three Divine Regions would find it hard to believe that such a person was a devil from the Northern Divine Region.

After a quick glance, Yun Che suddenly said, "Follow them."

"Can't wait?" Chi Yan Ying’er asked, her slender waist slightly turning.

"Waiting passively is too slow in the end," Yun Che slowly replied. "The 'Heavenly Monarch Gathering' that person mentioned sounds promising."

"Indeed promising," Chi Yan Ying’er said with a faint smile. "If my guess is correct, the Heavenly Monarch Gathering he spoke of is probably a centennial event, open only to Divine Sovereigns under 600 years old."

Divine Sovereigns under 600 years old... This implies that only the exceptionally young Divine Sovereigns listed on the 'Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking' are eligible to participate. Clearly, it's a stage for those brilliant "Heavenly Monarchs."

"Furthermore," Chi Yan Ying’er said softly, her luscious lips slightly pursed, "I've heard of that person's name."

"...Really?" Yun Che glanced over, looking at the man in green more closely.

Given Chi Yan Ying’er's past dismissive nature, for her to know the name of someone from the Northern Divine Region... it was clear his identity was far from ordinary.

"Don't be too surprised. No matter how isolated the information flow is between the three Divine Regions and the Northern Divine Region, some individuals who cause significant stirs will always become known to some extent."

Chi Yan Ying’er spoke calmly, "Although he is just a member of the younger generation, his name should be known across the various Royal Realms in the Eastern, Southern, and Western Divine Regions. Just as the three Royal Realms of the Northern Divine Region certainly know your name."

"Comparing me to him?" Yun Che uttered, his expression blank.

"You truly can't be compared to him," Chi Yan Ying’er said, her phoenix eyes slightly askew. "His renown in the Northern Divine Region is far greater than yours in the Eastern Divine Region."

Yun Che: "..."

"Especially three years ago, he was superior to you in countless ways, save for being as tragic or as desperate as you. He even had more women than you."

"Is that so?" Yun Che suddenly reached out, pinching her flawless chin. "Are his playthings as useful as you?"

"Not at all." Chi Yan Ying’er slowly pushed his hand away with a jade-like finger, her long lashes slightly lowered in a smirk that was both amused and sarcastic. "In that regard, turning the Dragon Queen and Divine Maiden into mere playthings, you are indeed unparalleled in this world. Ending up in your current state is far too lenient for you."

Yun Che's voice turned cold, "Shen Xi is not the Dragon Queen, nor is she a plaything. Only you are!"

"Aren't you going to follow those people? They've already gone far."

"Hmph!" Yun Che turned and flew off, completely concealing his aura, departing silently.

The Luo siblings were greatly exhausted, but because their profound arts specialized in defense, their injuries were not too severe. The man in green, perhaps heading to the same destination, traveled with them after rescuing them.

"I am Luo Ying from the Heavenly Net Realm, and this is my royal sister... my younger sister Luo Yun. I truly don't know how to repay this great life-saving kindness." Luo Ying repeatedly expressed his thanks, but his demeanor showed more excitement and apprehension than pure gratitude.

"You... are you truly... Young Master Guhu?" Luo Yun's eyes were misty. A long time had passed, yet she seemed unable to wake from a dream. Even the fear and despair she had felt moments ago were forgotten.

The man in green smiled slightly. "That is indeed me. It is our Imperial Heaven Realm's fault that the two esteemed guests from the Heavenly Net Realm, who came to observe the Heavenly Monarch Gathering, encountered such misfortune here. Your lack of blame is already a kindness; there's no need for thanks."

"No, no," Luo Ying, a son of a High-Rank Realm King, was so agitated in front of the man in green that he became incoherent, losing all his usual bearing and majesty. "To be rescued by Young Master Guhu is not a misfortune, but a stroke of heavenly luck... My sister and I have admired Young Master Guhu our entire lives. Our greatest wish in coming to the Heavenly Monarch Gathering was to witness Young Master Guhu's demeanor in person. We never imagined we would... we would be granted such a divine opportunity."

Luo Yun nodded vigorously like a pecking chick, her eyes continuously fixed on the man in green without blinking.

"So, it's the Imperial Heaven Realm, just as I thought," Chi Yan Ying’er said. "It's undoubtedly him."

"The foremost among the Northern Divine Region's High-Rank Star Realms, the top Star Realm below the Royal Realms?" Yun Che narrowed his eyes slightly.

Over the past few years, Chi Yan Ying’er hadn't told him much about the Northern Divine Region... because she herself didn't know much, but she had mentioned the name "Imperial Heaven Realm."

Below the Royal Realms, Imperial Heaven reigns supreme.

He hadn't expected that by simply choosing a random direction, he would stumble upon the Northern Divine Region's foremost Star Realm.

"His name is Tian Guhu," Chi Yan Ying’er said. "He is the youngest son of the Imperial Heaven Realm King. If that were his only identity, he wouldn't be worthy of my knowledge."

"All others are sparrows, I alone am a swan"... Yun Che scoffed, a sneer gracing his lips. That name exuded an arrogant disdain for the world, vastly different from his outward demeanor.

"You became famous in the Eastern Divine Region's Profound God Convention, and he did likewise," Chi Yan Ying’er continued. "Approximately five hundred years ago, in the Northern Divine Region's 'Profound God Convention,' he achieved complete victories throughout, and in the final battle, despite being two minor realms weaker in cultivation, he utterly crushed his opponent, becoming legendary in a single fight."

"Once profound energy enters the Divine Way, achieving a complete victory against someone of the same level is one in a billion. To utterly crush an opponent while being two minor realms weaker can only be a miracle of the profound way. In the current Northern Divine Region, only Tian Guhu has achieved such a feat."

"Ironically, in this era where such a figure has emerged in the Northern Divine Region, even Luo Changsheng and Jun Xilei of the Eastern Divine Region's current generation would likely be unable to match him."

Chi Yan Ying’er stared at Yun Che. "You and Shui Meiyin are exceptions, you two anomalies. Hmph, the Heretic God's inheritance and the Immaculate Divine Soul are heretical existences that shouldn't appear in this era!"

"Just a mere Level Seven Divine Sovereign," Yun Che said coldly.

"Mere?" Chi Yan Ying’er scoffed. "This is a Level Seven Divine Sovereign who is less than 600 years old, and currently the top of the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking. While he can't compare to me in my prime, compared to you, who also became famous three years ago... you can't even hold a candle to him."

"Heh," Yun Che let out a cold laugh. "The Yun Che of three years ago? That was merely a naive, foolish piece of trash who saved someone who deserved to die and caused the death of his closest kin! Why compare me to a dead piece of trash?"

"..." Chi Yan Ying’er glanced at him, then said, "Tian Guhu is absolutely invincible among those of the same level. It is said that within the Divine Sovereign Realm, he can overwhelm opponents two minor realms higher and contend with opponents three minor realms higher."

"In other words, if the legends are true, he, a Level Seven Divine Sovereign, might be able to contend with a Level Ten Divine Sovereign. This, rather than his cultivation, is his most astounding aspect. Even that old dog Qianye Fantian has mentioned Tian Guhu of the Northern Divine Region more than once, saying that if he can still achieve such overwhelming power after becoming a Divine Master, then in the future, he will likely become the Northern Divine Region's most dangerous individual."

Yun Che showed no reaction.

"What a pity," Chi Yan Ying’er said softly, "After three years with you, looking at this Tian Guhu now, he's nothing special."

A Level Seven Divine Sovereign under 600 years old, capable of contending with a Level Ten Divine Sovereign.

The top of the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking, and undeniably the foremost figure of this generation in the Northern Divine Region.

A young prodigy whose name is well-known even among the Royal Realms of the three Divine Regions.

Each of these accolades was dazzling enough to make one almost dare not look.

"Very good," Yun Che nodded.

Indeed, he was quite satisfied with this person's identity and achievements.

"Since this land has Yun Che, there is no longer any need for a Tian Guhu."

Listening to his words, Chi Yan Ying’er silently glanced at Yun Che.

The Yun Che of three years ago would never have said such a thing.

"Young Master Guhu, were those two just now really Divine Sovereigns?" Luo Ying asked the man in green. After traveling together for a while, his excitement had finally calmed somewhat. Facing this legendary figure who was so close yet devoid of arrogance, he began to feel much more at ease.

"Yes," Tian Guhu replied. "Both were Level Seven Divine Sovereigns."

"Ah!" Luo Ying and Luo Yun exclaimed in unison.

Even in a High-Rank Star Realm, Divine Sovereigns are transcendental beings, second only to Great Realm Kings. And those two were actually Divine Sovereigns, moreover, Level Seven Divine Sovereigns nearing the late stage! In their entire Heavenly Net Realm, Divine Sovereigns above Level Seven could be counted on one's fingers.

"Then... does Young Master Guhu recognize them?" Luo Ying asked.

Tian Guhu shook his head. "I don't know. Perhaps they are Realm Kings from some Mid-Rank Star Realm."

If individuals of a Level Seven Divine Sovereign's caliber hailed from a High-Rank Star Realm, he would certainly know them. But two completely unfamiliar Divine Sovereigns could only be from a Mid-Rank Star Realm.

And in Mid-Rank Star Realms, Divine Sovereigns are undoubtedly the rulers.

Upon hearing the words "Mid-Rank Star Realm," most of the awe the Luo siblings held for the term "Divine Sovereign" instantly dissipated.

They were descendants of a High-Rank Star Realm King, and their father was a Divine Master who defied the world. Therefore, if the Divine Sovereigns were from a High-Rank Star Realm, they would never neglect any courtesy, nor would they dare to speak lightly of them.

But if they were Divine Sovereigns from a Mid-Rank Star Realm... even late-stage ones, they could regard them with disdain.

This was the disparity in status.

"I see," Luo Ying nodded.

"Hmph, as Divine Sovereigns, to see people dying and not help... that's truly despicable," Luo Yun said spitefully.

"To be a Divine Sovereign is also a heavenly gift," Tian Guhu slowly articulated. "To be able to save lives with a raise of the hand, yet to indifferently walk away, such an act is no different from murder."

He let out a soft sigh. "Regardless of their identities, those two deeply disgraced the name of Divine Sovereign."

"Young Master Guhu is right," Luo Ying said, his brows furrowed. "Such individuals, even if they become Divine Sovereigns, are utterly contemptible and beneath scorn!"

Tian Guhu's words made Luo Yun's eyes sparkle like stars, and with a face full of adoration, she said, "For someone like you, Young Master, who is like a celestial star, not only to save our lives but also personally escort us, it feels like a dream. Even though they are also Divine Sovereigns, they are far, far inferior to Young Master Guhu."

"Xiao Yun, you're quite mistaken," Luo Ying said with a smile. "Those kinds of people aren't worthy of being Divine Sovereigns at all. They don't even have the right to be compared to Young Master Guhu."

"Mm, Thirty-Eighth Brother is right," Luo Yun nodded quickly and asked, "Are those two Divine Sovereigns perhaps also on the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking?"

"Of course not," Luo Ying replied directly. "Most on the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking are early-stage Divine Sovereigns. In this world, Young Master Guhu is the only one who has reached Level Seven Divine Sovereign at an age under 600 years. Since those two are Level Seven Divine Sovereigns, how could they possibly be on the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking? They are clearly here just to observe the gathering."

Tian Guhu slightly raised his eyes, looking forward as he said, "The Northern Region is barren and plagued by misfortune. Every moment, countless beings die for survival and for gain, and the future will only grow darker. Those of us blessed by fate should strive to find a bright future for the Northern Region, so as not to betray the power granted to us by heaven."

"Yet, to be able to save lives with a mere gesture and yet disregard them, such individuals, devoid of kindness and human conscience, even if they are Divine Sovereigns, are unworthy of entering my Imperial Heaven Pagoda!"

As he finished speaking, his placid gaze subtly hardened with coldness.

"As expected of Young Master Guhu," Luo Ying praised enthusiastically. "Only a remarkable figure like Young Master Guhu could utter such profound words. It is the fortune of our Northern Region to have Young Master Guhu in this world."

Tian Guhu smiled and shook his head, then sighed softly. Although he walked alongside the Luo siblings, mere inches away, it was as if he existed in an entirely different world from them.

Luo Yun had been watching Tian Guhu all this time, then silently lowered her head, her eyes filled with dejection.

Although she was the daughter of the Heavenly Net Realm King, she knew that for a person like Tian Guhu, only the most extraordinary women in the world would be worthy of him. Aside from her birth, she had no qualifications to catch his eye.

Far behind them, Chi Yan Ying’er's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "So this Tian Guhu is actually someone who cares about the future destiny of the Northern Divine Region. This reminds me of how you once tried to save the God Realm..."

"Shut up!" Yun Che snapped coldly, his brow furrowing slightly.

Chi Yan Ying’er let out a soft hum, her voice then turning languid. "You never say those two words when you force me to kneel before you."

Yun Che: "..."

"Imperial Heaven Pagoda," she murmured, seemingly to herself, "That sounds like a promising place."