Chapter 1666: Shadow Sorrow

"Let's go!"

Before Yun Che could ask or approach, and without a word to the Burning Moon God Emperor, Chi Wuyao lifted Qianye Ying'er into the air and flew away instantly.

Chan Yi and Yun Wu exchanged a glance and followed closely.

"Please forgive this King for not seeing you off." The Burning Moon God Emperor's voice resonated for hundreds of miles, his imperial might awe-inspiring.

From a distance, the moment Chi Wuyao completely vanished from sight, he saw her suddenly turn back and cast a faint glance at him.There was no intimidation, no coldness, no mockery, no anger... no emotion whatsoever.

"Hmph!" Fen Daozang said in a deep voice, "A level eight Divine Master actually dared to challenge my King's demonic might."

The Burning Moon God Emperor remained silent, not even feeling the satisfaction of finally curbing Chi Wuyao's sharp edge after being suppressed to the point of suffocation. The sudden oppressive feeling from Qianye Ying'er's power outburst still hadn't completely dissipated. And after that... her series of actions were completely illogical and inexplicable. However, these were not what he should be contemplating now. The Devil Emperor's power Yun Che possessed, and the Soul Stealing Realm that had transformed because of him... this was an unprecedented event, one that could profoundly alter the landscape of the Northern Divine Region! "Recall all Eclipse Moons," he commanded in a deep voice. "Order them to return immediately, no matter where they are!"

The Dark Profound Ark flew through the sky at its maximum speed, heading directly back to the Soul Stealing Realm. Inside the ark's cabin, Chi Wuyao gently set Qianye Ying'er down. From beginning to end, she had deliberately prevented Yun Che from touching Qianye Ying'er. Only now, having left the Burning Moon Realm far behind.

Qianye Ying'er was still unconscious. Yet, her injuries and blood loss were far from severe enough to cause such a state. "What exactly happened?" Yun Che could clearly see that Chi Wuyao was intentionally preventing him from touching Qianye Ying'er. Although his heart was filled with countless doubts, he did not force her hand. After all, over the past year of their interactions, a subtle sense of trust had unknowingly formed between him, Chi Wuyao, and Qianye Ying'er. This was especially true after he killed Zhou Qingchen and shattered Zhou Xuzi's soul. Just as when Chi Wuyao suddenly declared that Yun Che would become the Devil Emperor of the Soul Stealing Realm, neither Yun Che nor Qianye Ying'er had any prior knowledge, yet neither reacted with surprise.

Chi Wuyao turned around and slowly spoke, "Her fetal breath... it's gone."

Yun Che stood frozen for a full three breaths before stiffly turning his head. "You... said... what...?"

"See for yourself," Chi Wuyao stepped aside, then slowly exhaled. Yun Che moved forward, extended his hand to Qianye Ying'er's chest, and slowly released his profound energy and divine sense... Then, he completely froze there, his entire body seeming to stiffen, remaining so for a very long time.

Both he and Qianye Ying'er were consumed by hatred, transformed into avenging devils. Their physical encounters were mostly for the purpose of dual cultivation. With hearts full of hatred, they would deliberately avoid such accidents. Given Qianye Ying'er's cultivation, if she didn't wish it, there was absolutely no possibility of conception. From her perspective and with her hatred, there was no reason for it either!

"The fetal breath was faint and weak, probably less than half a month old," Chi Wuyao said.

Yun Che's pupils suddenly contracted! Less than half a month... that was precisely the day he killed Zhou Qingchen, right here on this Dark Profound Ark! It was also the time Qianye Ying'er had been most proactive and most wild.

"How could she have..." Yun Che murmured, lost in thought.

With a sharp sound, Qianye Ying'er smacked Yun Che's hand away from her chest. Her eyes opened. She sat up, her face still covered in a pale pallor, but her gaze was as cold as ever, showing no sign of abnormality. "You've seen a joke," Qianye Ying'er said indifferently. She stood up and continued, "I never intended for it to fully form, so I could dispel it at any time. This is fine... no, this is for the best."

"...Are you alright?" Chi Wuyao asked in a very soft voice.

"What could be wrong with me?" Qianye Ying'er replied indifferently. "We're about to annex the Yama Devil Realm, then the Burning Moon Realm. Everything is within reach. If an extra burden appeared now... that would be utterly idiotic." "Originally, I would have dispelled it before we went to the Yama Devil Realm anyway."

Chi Wuyao was speechless.

Qianye Ying'er glanced at Yun Che and said, "That time, I was only focused on indulging myself with you and forgot to seal myself. Don't worry, this mistake won't happen again."

Yun Che remained silent.

"Chi Wuyao, I made you lose face at the Burning Moon Realm this time... I will make it up to you."

With that, Qianye Ying'er turned and pushed open the door, exiting.

A long silence ensued. Chi Wuyao sighed softly and slowly began to walk, preparing to leave.

"Indeed," Yun Che murmured, as if to himself, "This is for the best."

Chi Wuyao's foot, poised to step out of the door, paused, and her chest heaved noticeably.

"Yun Che," she suddenly spoke, her voice very soft and gentle, yet tinged with a heart-wrenching sorrow. "I know your heart holds endless pain and boundless hatred. Vengeance is your sole goal and obsession. Besides hatred, you don't even allow yourself any other emotions." "But... I still hope that even if every corner of your soul is filled with hatred, don't let it completely devour your... originally warm heart." She slowly turned her gaze back, her already soft voice ethereal like mist in a dream. "Your daughter, Yun Wuxin, at least she came into this world, and at least she received your unreserved paternal love."

Yun Che was silent.

"That day was not an accident; she did have her own selfish motive," Chi Wuyao continued. "But her self-interest wasn't for herself, it was for you." "She didn't want you to die."

Chi Wuyao left. In the quiet room, Yun Che stood there in a daze for a very long time.

Stepping out of the inner cabin, he followed her aura and saw Qianye Ying'er standing silently at the rear of the profound ark.

"Want to scold me?" Noticing his approach, Qianye Ying'er glanced at him, then turned her face away. "I admit this mistake. I said I wouldn't make it again. And the Burning Moon God Emperor's debt... I will certainly collect."

Yun Che said nothing, just stared fixedly at her.

Qianye Ying'er turned her head in confusion. Meeting Yun Che's obviously unusual gaze, she frowned and said, "What? Still can't get over it?"

"How do you know I'm angry?" Yun Che spoke, his voice cold.

"Is there anyone who understands you better than I do?" Qianye Ying'er responded without hesitation. She indeed had the most right to say that.

"More than anger," Yun Che said, "I'm more surprised."

"Surprised? Ha! You don't think I did it on purpose, do you?"

Qianye Ying'er turned her gaze again, looking at the rapidly moving dark world ahead. "Never mind. It doesn't matter anymore. What you think is your business."

"Does it really not matter?" Yun Che asked, his words seemingly devoid of any emotion.

As if she had heard a joke, Qianye Ying'er scoffed. "Am I supposed to cry my eyes out like a pathetic, useless weak woman? That's utterly ridiculous." Her beautiful eyes narrowed, her gaze like a cold sword. "Though it was a bit embarrassing, at least it resolved a matter that had bothered me for days. Now, I can be completely single-minded."

"Regarding the Yama Devil Realm, are you still planning to venture there alone?" she suddenly asked.

"I have my own plans; you don't need to worry about such trivial things."

With that, Yun Che turned and walked away.

After walking a considerable distance, he stopped. His aura slowly receded, then receded further, and his figure gradually faded... until both his aura and form completely vanished from the spot. He moved silently, walking back in the opposite direction. Soon, Qianye Ying'er reappeared in his sight.

A chilling wind, carrying ghostly wails, made Qianye Ying'er's flowing golden hair the most captivating sight in the darkness. In the silence, she stood motionless, unaware of Yun Che's return, as if time itself had stopped.

In the dim world, under the faint light, Yun Che looked at Qianye Ying'er with such meticulous attention for the first time, his gaze unblinking. After a long time, just as Yun Che half-turned, preparing to leave... Qianye Ying'er's figure suddenly slowly curled down.

Her knees touched the ground; she knelt... a posture that defied her pride, one she loathed and rejected, and never allowed herself to adopt easily. Yet, she remained kneeling for a long time. Her hands were clasped tightly across her chest, her body trembling violently as if engulfed by the icy winds of an inferno...

The sound of dripping water was so faint, yet each drop struck heavily upon Yun Che's heartstrings. Qianye Ying'er slowly raised her hand. Through her blurry vision, she saw her palm, already wet. She gritted her teeth tightly, but tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes, pouring down relentlessly.

"Wh-why..." She murmured in confusion... It should have been a release, she shouldn't have to struggle or hesitate, it was... just a mistake that shouldn't have happened. Why was it so painful...? Why did I still have tears...? Why... am I like this...? What's wrong with me...?

She lowered her head deeply, wrapping her arms around her shoulders with all her strength, tightly, not allowing herself to make even the slightest sound of weeping, because that would alert Yun Che.

"Your daughter, Yun Wuxin, at least she came into this world, and at least she received your unreserved paternal love." "She didn't want you to die..."

Yun Che's hand slowly clenched, then clenched tighter.

In silence, he withdrew his gaze and slowly moved away, remaining cloaked, until he reached the other side of the profound ark. He looked ahead, speechless for a long time.

"Help me... avenge them.""Please... bestow the slave imprint upon me again. I will be your slave... forever!""You won't regret it!""Qianye Ying'er is dead. Now, in this world, there is only Yun Qianying!""Do you think treating Yun Shang well can erase the guilt and remorse of not protecting your daughter? Do you think it can fill the void in your heart? I tell you... impossible! Never! On the contrary, you are only compounding your mistakes!""The most important thing you should do now, the only thing you can do, is to avenge her! You finally got rid of your attachments and weaknesses, but here you are, forcing yourself to create new ones? Ha!""I am your tool, that's true. But don't forget, you are also my tool! You can be foolish, but I can also stop you from being foolish!"

Yun Che murmured in a daze, "It was you who told me to sever all emotions, to help me erase my last attachments and weaknesses..." "Why is it you, then..."

He closed his eyes, then suddenly plunged downward, detaching from the Dark Profound Ark and flying directly in the opposite direction. In his perception, the aura of the Dark Profound Ark rapidly receded. At that moment, Yun Che's figure reappeared, black light shimmering around him as his speed surged. In his open eyes, the darkest glow he had displayed since entering the Northern Divine Region slowly ignited. His gaze was fixed on... the Burning Moon Realm!