Chapter 1691: Demon Queen's Sigh

Soul Stealing Realm, Soul Stealing Sacred Domain.

Chi Wuyao floated gently downwards, landing lightly. As her toes touched the ground, her black dress settled naturally with a graceful sway, inadvertently outlining a figure of enchanting curves.

"Master!"

A voice called out from afar the moment she appeared. Soon, a young woman materialized from the shadows, appearing before Chi Wuyao. Her face was like a flawless jade, her skin like congealed cream, and her exquisite lips were naturally crimson. Especially striking were her bright eyes, which, though clear, shimmered with a captivating ripple of exotic light, appearing both pure and seductive. Her flowing multicolored dress accentuated her slender waist, and the vibrant, beautiful light emanating from her body clearly indicated her identity. Hua Jin, the Seventh Devil Queen of the Soul Stealing Realm!

"What is it?" Chi Wuyao asked.

"Reporting, Master, a major incident has occurred in the Yama Realm. The Yama Barrier inexplicably collapsed, and the Three Yama Ancestors emerged from the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, publicly declaring their allegiance to Yun Che. Afterward, the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea trembled, and black mist filled the sky… It all seems connected to Yun Che."

Chi Wuyao remained silent.

"The subsequent events are not entirely clear, but it's highly probable that the Yama Emperor compromised with Yun Che on something."

"I already know all of this," Chi Wuyao replied.

Hua Jin's voice was urgent, yet Chi Wuyao remained exceptionally calm, showing no signs of disturbance.

"Even before he went to the Burning Moon Realm, he had plans to visit the Yama Realm. He mentioned then that with the power of the Eternal Calamity of Darkness, he might be able to control the dark profound energy of the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, using it to deal with the Three Yama Ancestors and coerce the Yama Realm."

"It seems he succeeded, and far beyond what he anticipated. For the mighty Three Yama Ancestors to pledge allegiance to him—he has accomplished yet another feat no one would have dared to imagine."

Chi Wuyao seemed to smile faintly. "As expected, he was holding something back then."

Observing Chi Wuyao's expression, Hua Jin finally couldn't hold back. "Master, aren't you worried at all?"

"Worried about what?" Chi Wuyao softly countered.

Hua Jin said anxiously, "It's absolutely true that the Three Yama Ancestors have acknowledged Yun Che as their master. And they personally stated that with Yun Che's help, they can now freely leave the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, which must be why they were willing to pledge allegiance to him."

"The subsequent developments clearly show the Yama Realm's ultimate compromise. If Yun Che can now command the power of the Yama Realm…"

"Are you worried that Yun Che will use this to overpower my Soul Stealing Realm?" Chi Wuyao asked, her voice still devoid of any noticeable emotion.

"Yes," Hua Jin nodded. "Previously, Yun Che and Yun Qianying were isolated and without support in the Northern Region, yet Master was willing to treat them as equals. Now, if he can control the Yama power, coupled with the formidable Three Yama Ancestors, I fear…"

"Don't worry, he won't," Chi Wuyao said with a slight smile. "Unifying the Three King Realms was always our shared goal; he is merely accomplishing it on his own."

"Master, you might not know," Hua Jin continued, "the Yama Realm quickly sealed off information after that, forcing our informants to retreat. It will be difficult to get any more news in the short term. Over a dozen hours have passed, and Yun Che shows no signs of returning, nor has he sent back any messages."

Chi Wuyao said, "With such a major commotion, the core details cannot be concealed. This overly aggressive lockdown is likely something Yun Che orchestrated deliberately for me to see."

"..." Hua Jin looked up in astonishment. "Master, since you know, why do you seem... not worried at all?"

Chi Wuyao smiled, extending her hand to gently caress the young woman's cherry-pink lips. "Rest assured, he will not be our enemy… never will be."

Hua Jin's lips unconsciously parted. She didn't understand the source of Chi Wuyao's confidence, but when it came to her master's words, her only task was to obey without question.

"There's no need to investigate news from the Yama Realm anymore," Chi Wuyao continued. "There is only one thing you need to do now."

"Go to the Yama Realm and deliver something."

"...What is it?" Hua Jin asked.

"An invitation."

Hua Jin departed, her mind filled with questions. Chi Wuyao turned slightly, her gaze directed toward the Yama Realm, and let out a soft sigh.

"After all, man proposes, God disposes; everything happened too soon."

"However, this is also good…"

"From beginning to end, I… was also my own chess piece."

When Yun Che emerged from the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, several days had already passed.

Yan Wu had personally stood guard at the entrance of the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea's mouth. Upon seeing Yun Che, she immediately bowed respectfully. "Yan Wu greets my Lord, and greets the Ancestors." Compared to her previous stiff, resentful expression and eyes that hid daggers, Yan Wu's demeanor had undergone a drastic transformation.

"Where is the person I requested?" Yun Che asked indifferently.

"To my Lord, they were brought here six hours ago, leaving no trace during transit. Only a few individuals, including the Heavenly Sovereign Realm King, are aware," Yan Wu explained in detail.

"Very good." Yun Che's gaze briefly swept over her, then he proceeded directly towards the Imperial Palace.

Tian Guhu was brought to the Yama Realm in a state of utter bewilderment. When Yan E found him, news of the dramatic changes in the Yama Realm hadn't even reached him yet.

During the Heavenly Monarch Grand Assembly, Tian Guhu had suffered a humiliating defeat at Yun Che's hands in front of the Northern Region's Heavenly Monarchs and heroes. However, that event hadn't inflicted significant psychological trauma on Tian Guhu. Instead, it was Yun Che's words as he departed that caused immense turmoil in Tian Guhu's long-held arrogant beliefs. In fact, within just a few days, he had felt the urge to go to the Soul Stealing Realm and seek an audience with Yun Che no less than ten times.

At the Yama Emperor's command, a Yama Devil personally came to fetch him. Although Heavenly Sovereign Realm King Tian Muyi was filled with trepidation, he dared not openly defy the order, but insisted on accompanying them. Tian Guhu, however, persuaded his father against it and followed Yan E to the Yama Realm alone.

Although Tian Guhu was considered the foremost young expert in the Northern Divine Region, with immense prestige among his generation, all this was within realms below the King Realms. The Heavenly Sovereign Realm and the Yama Realm had been allies for generations, yet beneath this facade of "alliance" lay an insurmountable difference in hierarchy. For someone of Tian Guhu's status, even seeing Yan San'geng, the head of the Yama Ghosts, was exceedingly rare, let alone a Yama Devil or the Yama Emperor. Therefore, when Tian Guhu was led to the Imperial Palace and personally witnessed one legendary Yama Devil after another, the shock and tremor in his heart were immeasurable.

As his gaze, filled with awe and apprehension, turned towards the center of the Imperial Palace, his steps abruptly halted. His eyes widened fixedly, utterly unable to believe what he was seeing. Tian Guhu had once had the fortune to see Yan Tianxiao, the Yama Emperor, with his father when he first entered the Northern Region's Heavenly Monarch rankings. Yet, this supreme first God Emperor in his eyes was actually standing to the side of the hall! And the person seated diagonally on the imperial throne… Yun Che!!?

"Tian Guhu," Yun Che spoke coolly, "It's been a few months; do you still remember me?"

"Yun... Che!" Tian Guhu exclaimed, trembling. He repeatedly confirmed what he was seeing, yet he simply couldn't believe the scene before his eyes.

During this period, the entire Northern Divine Region had been in constant turmoil because of the name "Yun Che." He bore the Devil Emperor's inheritance, unleashed true god power in the Burning Moon Realm to slay the Burning Moon God Emperor, terrifying the Eclipse Moons into surrendering without a fight... There were even rumors that he was about to be enthroned as Emperor in the Soul Stealing Realm! The rumors grew more shocking and unbelievable with each passing one, yet Fen Daojun's death and the Burning Moon Realm falling under the Soul Stealing Realm's control swiftly followed, making every word of those whispers breathtakingly true. It was also these rumors that made Yun Che's earlier words to Tian Guhu resonate with increasing intensity within his soul.

"Tian Guhu," Yun Che narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming exceptionally sharp. "This is but a small scene, yet you react so poorly. Is your supposed arrogance and lofty ambition limited to this?"

Yun Che's words struck Tian Guhu like a heavy hammer, causing his soul to tremble. He secretly bit his tongue hard, and the sharp pain forced his mind back to clarity. He slowly took a breath and gave a solemn bow. "Tian Guhu of the Heavenly Sovereign Realm, I have specifically come to pay respects to the Yama Realm. It is truly fortunate to be able to meet Senior Yun, the Yama Emperor, and all the Yama Devil seniors."

Yun Che did not respond. Instead, he slowly rose and strolled towards Tian Guhu. As he stood, the Three Yama Ancestors followed closely behind him.

Tian Guhu had never seen the three stooped, grotesque old men behind Yun Che. Yet, the moment their gazes met—just the meeting of eyes—his soul convulsed abruptly, trembling silently, as if clutched by an invisible claw that could, in an instant, drag him into the abyss of death with no hope of struggle. He had only experienced a similar feeling once before, in his memories, when he accompanied his father to an audience with the Yama Emperor. His cultivation and state of mind were now far superior to back then. Yet, the three old men behind Yun Che still evoked this incredibly terrifying sensation within him.

The unparalleled shock caused an uncontrollable slight tremor throughout Tian Guhu's body. However, he stood ramrod straight, his gaze firmly maintaining its calm and aloofness… He knew well that a weakling whose legs buckled under another's aura would never be respected.

"It is said that the name Tian Guhu was one you chose for yourself." Yun Che stopped a few steps in front of him. "You resent those around you who willingly imprison themselves in cages, living in drunken stupor or engaging in internal strife. They lack the ambition to defy fate, instead digging their own graves in an already abyssal world."

Tian Guhu's heart convulsed. He slowly nodded. "Yes."

"But... what good is lofty ambition? I, Tian Guhu, am not only isolated in my resolve, but under the fate of the Northern Region, I am merely a useless nobody who can stir no waves."

"You possess much self-awareness," Yun Che said indifferently. "No matter how noble your aspirations, without sufficient power, they are nothing more than an empty joke."

"..." Tian Guhu clenched his jaw slightly.

"Then, I offer you an opportunity," Yun Che said, looking at him. "What if I bestow upon you power surpassing your father's, but on the condition that you become a spear—a spear that could break at any moment—to pierce through the Northern Region's cage and thrust into the Three Divine Regions? Do you dare to accept?"

Tian Guhu froze, momentarily doubting what he had heard. "You said… what?"

"You don't need to question, nor do you need to worry about whether I can achieve it. You only need to answer 'dare' or 'not dare'." With the Yama Ancestors at his side and Yama Emperor and Yama Devils surrounding them, Yun Che's every word carried a spiritual pressure no less than imperial might, leaving no room for doubt.

"..." Tian Guhu's mind was in turmoil, but his will and beliefs were struck with immense force, and his words almost bypassed his thoughts as he responded: "This is what I have dreamed of and sought my entire life. How… could… I… not dare!"

"Very good," Yun Che acknowledged coolly. Suddenly, his brow furrowed. "Subdue him."

At his command, the Three Yama Ancestors instantly shifted position, encircling Tian Guhu. Three surges of Yama Ancestor power were simultaneously unleashed, instantly forcing Tian Guhu to his knees, his own strength completely sealed, leaving him unable to exert even the slightest bit.