Chapter 1652: Two Emperors Face Off

The Northern Region border.

This is the closest dark land in the Northern Divine Realm to the Eastern Divine Realm. The dark aura here is exceptionally thin. Due to its proximity to the Eastern Divine Realm, there are no traces of devils for a thousand miles, and even demon beasts are extremely rare.

Conversely, the Snow Song Realm is the star realm closest to the Northern Divine Realm in the Eastern Divine Realm.

Zhou Xuzi stood just beyond the Northern Region border, gazing at the nearby dark land. Beside him stood Zhou Qingchen, his expression somber.

The hope of recovery was within reach, yet he seemed to lack significant excitement or trepidation.

Naturally, to Zhou Xuzi and Grand Elder Tai Yu, this was undeniably a consequence of being influenced by the power of darkness.

Ten thousand years ago, Zhou Xuzi, led by Chi Wuyao, and Qianye Fantian pursued her into this dark territory. The resulting commotion was so immense that it unexpectedly drew in Mu Xuanyin, the Snow Song Realm King, who had only recently ascended to Divine Master.

At that time, he had ventured into the darkness to pursue the Devil Queen. He had a clear conscience, even if his actions became known to the world.

But today...

“My Lord, let us depart,” said Grand Elder Tai Yu. “I will remain here and ensure no one approaches or detects anything. Should any unforeseen circumstances arise on your side, I will arrive immediately. Rest assured.”

Zhou Xuzi, the Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor, and Tai Yu, the chief of the Eternal Heaven Guardians—the two most significant figures in the Eternal Heaven God Realm—were secretly preparing to engage in the most forbidden of transactions, hidden from the world.

Tai Yu gazed deeply at Zhou Qingchen, sighing softly as he transmitted a message: “Qingchen, your father once abandoned his principles for his beliefs, breaking his promise to Yun Che and bearing deep shame for it. Now, for your sake, he has temporarily cast aside even those beliefs.”

“If you are saved, you must strive in the future to become the greatest Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor; only then will you truly honor your father’s sacrifice and profound efforts.”

Zhou Qingchen looked up and closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly.

In Tai Yu’s eyes, Zhou Qingchen was deeply moved, his emotions difficult to contain. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Zhou Qingchen’s thoughts were diametrically opposed to his own.

What if everything had been wrong from the very beginning...

What if the beliefs themselves were distorted...

Who was the true savior... who was truly creating sin... who truly caused all this... who was truly unforgivable...

Why did I have to see the darkness so clearly...

Why was I not allowed to remain blind, ignorant, and self-deceiving in the light...

Yun Che, your vengeance succeeded.

You did not kill me, yet you made me... so deeply regret having lived, so deeply regret... being a son of Eternal Heaven.

The halo and glory I once took pride in, it turns out, were merely cloaked in millions of years of accumulated distortion and defilement.

How laughable... how utterly laughable!

“Qingchen, let us go,” Zhou Xuzi said, his face clearing of all gloom as he turned to Zhou Qingchen and smiled gently. “Do not worry; your father would not have brought you here without absolute confidence. After today, everything will be behind us.”

“Mmm,” Zhou Qingchen nodded. He then stepped forward ahead of Zhou Xuzi, moving towards the dark land before them.

The dark profound ark remained anchored in the distance.

Yun Che was the first to disembark from the profound ark, but he did not act rashly. He stood still, staring directly into the darkness ahead, unmoving for a long time.

Given Chi Wuyao’s deliberately slow pace, Zhou Xuzi must have already arrived, just beyond the range of their perception.

“Huajin,” Chi Wuyao called.

Huajin nodded softly. With a slight twist of her slender, willow-like waist, her figure vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace, no shadow, no sound.

“Jiexin, Jieling. Your mission is singular; everything else does not concern you. Is that clear?”

Chi Wuyao rarely repeated commands, yet this was another one of her emphatic reminders.

The corners of both pairs of beautiful eyes unconsciously flickered towards Yun Che’s direction. They then nodded solemnly before flying off in different directions, similarly vanishing into the darkness.

The dark profound ark, however, remained where it was, not being put away.

Qianye Ying’er was about to descend from the profound ark when Chi Wuyao’s figure suddenly appeared, blocking her way.

“Yun Qianying, you will remain here.”

“...Why?” Qianye Ying’er asked coolly, without a hint of irritation.

Chi Wuyao replied, “It is not appropriate for you to be involved in this matter. Your presence could very likely create an opening. Allowing you to come this far was already the limit.”

“Me? An opening?” Qianye Ying’er sounded as if she had heard an immense joke, her gaze instantly turning frigid. “Chi Wuyao, I warn you one last time: do not attempt to provoke me again. Should I lose control, it will be too late even if you kneel before me!”

Chi Wuyao showed no anger whatsoever. Facing Qianye Ying’er’s suddenly frigid gaze, she instead stepped slowly forward, her prominent bosom almost brushing against Qianye Ying’er’s chest. “The former Brahma Monarch Goddess would, of course, cause no concern. For once she fixated on a goal, she would expend every scheme and method, undisturbed by any external factors, especially emotions.”

“But is the current Yun Qianying still the Brahma Monarch Goddess she once was?”

“...” The fragrant breath from Chi Wuyao’s lips brushed her mouth and cheek. This time, however, Qianye Ying’er did not retreat, her beautiful eyes fixed with icy resolve. “What kind of joke are you telling?!”

“Of course you don’t understand. If you did, you wouldn’t be in your current state,” Chi Wuyao said with a faint smile. “After all, in other domains, you are the Brahma Monarch Goddess. But in ‘a certain domain,’ you are merely a fledgling, not even comparable to a mortal woman.”

Qianye Ying’er: “You...”

“I hope you will think carefully about two things,” Chi Wuyao continued. “Firstly, you have repeatedly stated that revenge is your reason for willingly embracing darkness, that it is your everything.”

“Perhaps that was true at first. But, if you reflect carefully, has ‘vengeance’ truly been the predominant thought in your mind during this period?”

“...” Qianye Ying’er’s pupils abruptly stilled.

“Secondly, whenever a certain type of matter is involved, your words always precede your cunning and careful thought, causing you to lose your composure and sense of proportion. This is why I cannot allow you to follow. Yun Che places far too much importance and desire on this matter; if it isn’t perfectly executed, or if it were to be ruined... it would be an immense pity.”

Qianye Ying’er stood rooted to the spot, silent. Beneath her mask, her golden eyes shattered like distant stars, trembling in chaotic disarray.

Chi Wuyao turned, saying, “Of course, if you insist on following, I cannot stop you.”

Her footsteps light, she slowly walked away.

Qianye Ying’er did not follow. She did not take another step forward until Chi Wuyao and Yun Che’s figures vanished into the darkness.

In the empty, dark world, only her figure remained.

This was the first time since entering the Northern Region that Yun Che’s presence disappeared from her sight and perception.

Her soul suddenly felt hollow.

Zhou Xuzi waited for a full three hours.

He showed no impatience, nor did he attempt to delve deeper. The Northern Divine Realm had been forced into a humble cage by the three divine realms, and now, finally, there was an opportunity for it to be sought out. As the Devil Queen of the Northern Region, how could she not seize this chance to vent her resentment?

Finally, Zhou Xuzi’s long-still eyes slowly lifted. He extended his hand, and the majestic power of the Divine Emperor surged forth, enveloping Zhou Qingchen and forming a protective barrier that even ten thousand mountains could not shatter.

His arm retracted, yet a wisp of his aura remained connected to Zhou Qingchen.

He... or anyone for that matter, could not conceive of a reason for Chi Wuyao to suddenly act and forcibly kill Zhou Qingchen. After all, to Chi Wuyao, that bargaining chip was immeasurably more important than killing his son purely to demonstrate power and vent her wrath.

Unless she was insane.

Still, he would not be caught unprepared.

From within the swirling black mist, Chi Wuyao’s figure drew near. With her arrival, the already gloomy dark land grew even more oppressive.

The desolate sky seemed to press down entirely, forcing one to hold their breath until they could barely feel their own heartbeat.

Zhou Xuzi’s eyes were tinged with darkness. The woman in his view was bathed in a thin, ethereal black mist that neither sight nor spiritual perception could penetrate.

Her figure was indistinct, her face completely obscured, yet in that very first instant, he was absolutely certain: she was the Devil Queen of the Northern Region!

This dark aura was something he would never forget, not even until his dying breath.

Immediately, however, his gaze shifted behind Chi Wuyao, his pupils contracting slightly.

Yun Che!!

Zhou Qingchen, too, finally lifted his head.

From within the black mist, Yun Che’s figure slowly emerged.

He wore tattered black robes, his hair disheveled, and his body was covered in congealed blood. His entire form was shrouded in a layer of black mist, clearly not his own power, but rather the dark energy of the Devil Queen.

Within the black mist, his steps were slow and heavy, yet his body remained as rigid as steel. His eyes, though noticeably unfocused, still overflowed with a devilish, menacing aura.

Upon seeing Zhou Xuzi, Yun Che’s entire body instantly stiffened. His eyes flared with a blood-red light of hatred. “Eternal... Heaven... Old... Mongrel!!!”

Each word carried a bone-deep hatred, each syllable bitten out with bloodied, grinding teeth. He staggered a step forward, then lunged out like a madman, resembling a fiend whose soul had been pierced by ten thousand blades.

Chi Wuyao’s finger gently pointed downward, and the black mist pressed upon him. Yun Che immediately collapsed heavily to the ground, his limbs convulsing violently, unable to rise again. All he could emit were pained hisses escaping his throat.

His rage, his hatred, his wounds, his blood, his gaze—none of it was feigned.

His profound energy and soul power were indeed fully suppressed and sealed by Chi Wuyao... though he could break free at any moment.

Chi Wuyao did not spare Yun Che a glance, speaking leisurely. “Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor, it has been ten thousand years since we last met. You have certainly aged. Had I known this, I would not have wasted so much effort back then; it wouldn’t have taken many more years to simply outlive you.”

“Heh heh, the day this old man’s life ends, there will surely be a far superior successor to take my place. I fear the Devil Queen will find her wish unfulfilled.”

Zhou Xuzi smiled as he spoke, his hair and beard gently swaying, embodying a dignified, immortal air.

“This is your youngest son?” Chi Wuyao’s gaze lingered on Zhou Qingchen, her voice suddenly softening, becoming alluringly gentle. “What a handsome child. Since he has such a profound connection with my devil race, why don’t I take him in and keep him by my side as an ‘Eternal Heaven Child’? Our two realms could then become allies; wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Zhou Qingchen’s entire body went limp, his eyes instantly lost their color, and a stream of clear saliva trickled from the corner of his mouth.

As if a thousand massive bells had exploded in his mind, Zhou Qingchen’s body swayed, and his gaze refocused. Yet, he was already drenched in cold sweat from head to toe. Zhou Xuzi placed his palm on Zhou Qingchen’s chest, pushing him behind him, his voice suddenly deepening. “Devil Queen, you and I each desire something. If either of us fails to obtain it, this old man guarantees you will never have a second opportunity in this lifetime!”

“Oh, my,” Chi Wuyao uttered a soft reproach, withdrawing all her soul power. She then said with a faint smile, “I merely found the child handsome and made a small jest. As a Divine Emperor, why be so petty? However...”

She took a step forward. “I didn’t expect you to come alone... Oh, but it’s understandable. The dignified successor to the Eternal Heaven throne has become a devil, and you, the esteemed Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor, have come begging to this dark land to seek me out. Should even a whisper of this leak out, it would undoubtedly shock and amuse countless saints in the three divine realms to no end. How could you possibly arrive with a large entourage? Hahahahaha...”

Long aware that he would be ridiculed by the Devil Queen, Zhou Xuzi remained unfazed. He stated, “You, Devil Queen, clearly think highly of this old man. Besides yourself, two other devil women have accompanied you.”

“The two great devil women rumored to be the strongest,” he continued, his aged eyes flickering slightly. “It seems the Devil Queen is far less composed about what this old man possesses than she appears.”