Chapter 1644: Compensation

The six Devil Maidens were completely enraged. Their dark aura silently spread out, and their long hair floated up around them.

Chi Wuyao had strictly ordered that Yun Che was not to be harmed, but this command only applied to him and never mentioned Qianye Ying'er.

With their limits so thoroughly crossed, even their immense patience had run out. If Qianye Ying'er still refused to hand it over after five breaths, they would decisively act.

Just as the tension was about to erupt, Yun Che suddenly spoke in a calm voice, “Qianying, give her the Profound Imagery Stone.”

His words immediately drew the Devil Maidens’ attention, and the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

Qianye Ying’er remained still, stating coldly, “If they had politely asked me, I might have given it. But these so-called Devil Maidens don’t even know their place…”

“Give it to her!” Yun Che didn’t let her finish speaking. The same three words were now several times harsher than before.

Qianye Ying’er twitched an eyebrow and said no more. Then, to the slight astonishment of the Devil Maidens, she took out an ordinary Profound Imagery Stone and, with a flick of her finger, tossed it towards Devil Maiden Chanyi.

Chanyi reached out and caught it, sweeping her spiritual sense over it. With a soft thud, the Profound Imagery Stone crumbled in her hand, dissolving into dark dust and vanishing completely.

The Devil Maidens’ auras began to recede, and they all, without exception, gave Yun Che a profound look.

Though they were in the Northern Region's Soul Stealing Realm, the name of the Brahma Heaven Goddess was well-known to them. In the Eastern Divine Region, her power and status were almost on par with a God Emperor of a King Realm, and she was destined to become the Brahma Heaven God Emperor in the future. Her title of "Goddess" was, in a sense, even more prestigious than that of a God Emperor, for while there were many God Emperors, there was only one "Goddess." Even crippled, she still held the right to look down upon the Devil Maidens. Her fiery temperament was exactly as rumored.

Yet, before Yun Che, she was astonishingly 'obedient'? On the Soul Stealing Realm’s territory, she responded with arrogance to the combined pressure of the six Devil Maidens. But with just two simple sentences from Yun Che… she handed it over?

Most of the Devil Maidens’ knowledge of the Brahma Heaven Goddess came from the Devil Queen. One characteristic the Devil Queen Chi Wuyao had described was her view of all men in the world as mere dogs. However, the person before them completely contradicted this description.

“Only this one,” Yun Che stated. “I have never viewed it, nor have I shown it to anyone else. You can rest assured.”

He had indeed never viewed the profound image within this particular stone. As for the original image before it was recorded… that was a different matter entirely.

“Rest assured?” The Third Devil Maiden, Yelie, slowly stepped forward. As the leader of the six Devil Maidens present, and given that this concerned their honor, she had to speak first. “Yun Che, I can believe your words. But how can this insult be resolved by merely returning a Profound Imagery Stone? If this happened to a woman by your side, would you rest assured!?”

As she finished speaking, her steps halted. Beneath the dark mist, her eyes subtly trembled. Spiritual pressure… not related to cultivation or aura, but an invisible suppression stemming from a higher plane of existence. As Devil Maidens, in the Northern Divine Region, only the three God Emperors — Yan Mo, Burning Moon, and Soul Stealing — could genuinely make them feel spiritual pressure when directly confronted. Yet, whenever they met Yun Che’s gaze, they felt an oppressive force that directly enveloped their souls. It was an uncontrolled suppression and awe, spontaneously arising from their very essence, like a subject facing a divinely appointed emperor. As they drew closer, just a few steps away, this oppressive feeling intensified several times over.

When the Devil Maidens were near, their minds could connect instantaneously. She was not the only one who felt this sensation.

All the Devil Maidens glared at Qianye Ying’er with cold disdain. Yet, whenever they faced Yun Che, their imposing aura would instantly diminish by several points… and this was certainly not solely due to the Devil Queen’s instructions.

“Exactly!” Yu Wu exclaimed indignantly. “Your secret was discovered because of your own carelessness; what does that have to do with Chanyi? She never troubled you and even helped you, yet you repay kindness with enmity and do such outrageous things! How can we just let this go!?”

“Heh,” Qianye Ying’er scoffed in return.

“Let’s discuss this after Master returns,” said the previously silent Lantian. Her soft words subtly eased the atmosphere. “Master values our honor above all else and won’t let this matter rest. Since she invited the Brahma Heaven Goddess here, she must already have a plan.”

“No,” Qingying shook her head, her gaze turning cold. “How can we trouble Master with something well within our capabilities? Moreover…” Her voice dropped slightly, as if transmitting a message, yet she didn’t care if Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er overheard. “Master hasn’t appeared yet, which likely means she wants us to resolve this ourselves. After all, Master truly invited only Yun Che. As for this Brahma Heaven Goddess… that’s our business.”

Qingying’s words caused a subtle shift in the Devil Maidens’ expressions.

“Oh?” Qianye Ying’er smiled inscrutably, her eyes gradually glazing over, and her voice turning lazily casual. “So, what do you intend to do?”

“That depends on you,” Yelie said coldly. “Give us an explanation that leaves us no room for complaint. Otherwise… you might not leave the Soul Robbing Sky in one piece!”

“Hahahahaha!” Qianye Ying’er burst into wild laughter. With a sweep of her arm, her golden hair danced in the air, and specks of black stars instantly condensed at her fingertips. “I have harmed, schemed against, and killed countless people in my life. Yet, no one has ever managed to reclaim even a fraction of what they lost to me! And you, mere Devil Maidens, dare to presume?!”

Had they offered each other an out, leveraging the Devil Queen’s personal invitation, this matter might indeed have been peacefully resolved. But what kind of person was Qianye Ying’er? Even completely crippled, the goddess’s demeanor, deeply ingrained in her very being, would never allow her to bow down even slightly to anyone.

Her words, without a doubt, completely ignited the Devil Maidens’ fury. Even the usually gentle Lantian’s eyes turned several shades colder.

“You are right,” a calm voice interjected. “We are indeed at fault in this matter.” A cold voice abruptly halted the Devil Maidens’ outburst. The speaker was none other than Yun Che.

As they all stared in astonishment, Yun Che continued, “Back then, when the two of us fled to the Northern Divine Region, we unexpectedly encountered a Devil Maiden in a mid-level realm, and our identities were revealed. Both of us were like wild ghosts, barely surviving a recent catastrophe. We couldn't trust anyone, nor could we allow ourselves to be controlled. Therefore, out of self-preservation, we resorted to despicable means against Nanhuang Chanyi.”

Yun Che raised his gaze and looked directly at Devil Maiden Chanyi. “We are here today to cooperate with your Soul Stealing Realm. For our cooperation to succeed, such grievances should not exist. I will personally provide compensation for this matter.”

The Devil Maidens were momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to believe that this terrifying figure—who exuded a strange spiritual pressure and made the Brahma Heaven Goddess obediently listen—would utter such words.

Qianye Ying’er frowned deeply and scoffed coldly, “Yesterday, you killed Yan Sange without a single word. Today, they’re being aggressive, and you actually back down? Your difference in treating men and women truly is consistent!” Qianye Ying’er’s words seemed to express dissatisfaction and disdain, but in reality, they were a stark reminder that Yun Che was capable of directly killing even the Yan Mo Ghost King if displeased. And with just one sword stroke!

A strange silence fell over the Soul Robbing Sky. After a full three breaths, a Devil Maiden finally spoke. The Eighth Devil Maiden, Yu Wu, still full of indignation, assertively declared, “Compensation? How will you compensate us? Who knows… who knows if you secretly watched back then! This isn’t just Chanyi’s matter; it’s a shared matter for all nine of us sisters! And the Brahma Heaven Goddess, who committed such an act, still maintains such an arrogant demeanor! We will absolutely not forgive this lightly!”

“My name is Yun Qianying!” Qianye Ying’er’s gaze and voice both turned several shades colder. “Misname me again, and don’t blame me for being impolite!” Brahma Heaven Goddess—it was once the supreme title for a woman in this world. But now, every time Qianye Ying’er thought of or heard those words, she felt a sense of irony… even shame.

“Since I said I will compensate, I will naturally satisfy you,” Yun Che said calmly. He swept his gaze over the six and suddenly asked, “Are your Nine Devil Maidens ranked by strength?”

Though she didn’t know why he asked, Nanhuang Chanyi replied, “Not entirely. But in our generation, that is indeed the case.”

“So, your strength is weaker than the Eighth Devil Maiden?” Yun Che inquired.

The Ninth Devil Maiden, Chanyi, and the Eighth Devil Maiden, Yu Wu, were both Level Eight Divine Masters, but Yu Wu’s aura was distinctly stronger than Chanyi’s.

“Yes,” Chanyi replied without hesitation.

Yu Wu quickly interjected, “Chanyi has only recently inherited the Devil Maiden’s power. In at most another thousand years, she will certainly surpass me.”

“A thousand years? Heh.” Yun Che seemed to sneer, though no hint of a smile touched his face. He slowly stated, “Within ten breaths, I will ensure you completely overpower the Eighth Devil Maiden in terms of strength. Is this 'compensation' sufficient?”

At Yun Che’s words, the air instantly fell silent. All six Devil Maidens were astonished… only Qianye Ying’er showed no reaction. But their astonishment lasted only an instant, quickly giving way to a subtle change… they clearly found his words to be an incredibly ridiculous and childish joke. Any nascent hope they might have harbored completely transformed into deeper anger.

“Yun Che, are you mocking us?!” Qingying said gravely.

In the Divine Master realm, even a minute difference within the same level could be an unbridgeable chasm lasting a lifetime. Chanyi and Yu Wu were both Level Eight Divine Masters, and the Devil Maidens were acutely aware of the gap between them. Yu Wu’s assertion that Chanyi could surpass her within a thousand years was more an acknowledgment and encouragement from an elder sister.

Yet Yun Che claimed ten breaths!? And complete victory!? It was utterly preposterous. Even the legendary “Desolate World Pill,” a miraculous item said to enable a significant leap in the Divine Master realm, would take several years, or even longer, to successfully refine.

“Birds of a feather, indeed!” Yelie was utterly furious. “Did you set foot in the Soul Stealing Realm today merely to provoke us?!”

“This is too much!” Yu Wu was truly enraged. “And to think I briefly believed you genuinely felt remorse and wanted to compensate us!”

Yun Che completely ignored their anger, looking directly at Chanyi. “This compensation, do you want it or not?”

Compared to the other five Devil Maidens, Chanyi’s psychological reaction was markedly different. She had personally encountered Yun Che and Qianye Ying’er in the past, witnessing their actions firsthand and discerning their true strength. Just over two years had passed since then. Back then, they possessed only Divine Sovereign strength, but now one could kill Yan Sange, and the other could injure Yaodie.

“How will you do it?” Chanyi asked softly. Her question showed she was not entirely disbelieving or rejecting.

“It’s very simple,” Yun Che stated. “Lower all your defenses, and do not resist or block my dark aura in any way.”

“That’s outrageous!” Yaodie raged, a butterfly silhouette appearing behind her, clearly having reached her limit. Allowing Yun Che’s aura to invade her body without any self-defense… given Yun Che’s strength, which allowed him to slay Yan Sange, this was tantamount to placing her life directly into his hands!

Chanyi’s beautiful face subtly changed. She was about to coldly refuse when a soft voice suddenly echoed from the depths of her soul: “Cooperate with everything he says.” Chanyi’s heart trembled violently, and her beautiful eyes widened slightly… because it was a soul message from the Devil Queen!

“Alright.” Her words of refusal transformed into a gentle nod. “Since it’s compensation, I have no reason to refuse.”

“Chanyi!?” This response greatly astonished the other five Devil Maidens. Yelie quickly interjected, “Such ridiculous words, not even ancient gods and devils appearing in the world would dare to utter them. Chanyi, do you truly believe him?”

“Although it sounds like a fantasy, he is someone Master trusts, so I will trust him this once,” Chanyi said slowly. As she finished speaking, she slightly lowered her head, transmitting a mental message to the other five: “This is Master’s will.”

“…” The five Devil Maidens, who had been on the verge of forcefully stopping her, instantly froze in both posture and expression.

“Alright…” Yelie forcefully suppressed her anger and confusion. As Devil Maidens, they would never disobey or refuse the Devil Queen’s commands. However, with one side making an impossibly ridiculous boast and the other involving handing over one’s life, she simply could not comprehend the Devil Queen’s intent. No one else could have understood it either.

“Since this is your will, we can only agree,” Yelie said, her figure flashing. She stood beside Chanyi. “However, we will guard you closely. If he dares to make any reckless move, we will strike immediately.”

“Don’t worry, I trust him.” Chanyi smiled slightly and turned her body, instantly retracting her profound energy and the surrounding profound light. Even before Nanhuang Chanyi became a Devil Maiden, she was already known as the most renowned beauty in the Five Nether Realms. After inheriting the Devil Maiden’s power, her gaze alone was enough to captivate a city; her beauty was unparalleled.

“Begin,” she said, looking at Yun Che, her eyes like a still lake. However, to her surprise, when she retracted her profound light and revealed her true face, she didn't see even a flicker of reaction in Yun Che’s eyes. Was it because the Brahma Heaven Goddess was constantly by his side…? She couldn’t help but wonder.

Yun Che said nothing and did not step forward. He simply extended his arm, his five fingers spread open, and a ball of black light shimmered in his palm. Then, from ten zhang away, he directed it straight towards Chanyi.

All five Devil Maidens stood by Chanyi’s side, each with cold, focused eyes and taut nerves, watching as Yun Che’s dark profound light seamlessly entered Chanyi’s body. If even a trace of malicious aura emanated from Yun Che, they would instantly act to sever his power. However, to their surprise, the dark aura Yun Che sent into Chanyi’s body was exceptionally weak. So weak, in fact, that even if fully unleashed, it couldn’t possibly harm her… for even without any profound energy defense, it was still a Divine Master’s body. Not only was it weak, but its level was excessively low. Those wisps of black energy were like the very first trace of dark energy condensed by a child who had just entered the profound way; they didn’t even merit the description of “low-level.”