Chapter 1692: Ling Yun

For someone as powerful as Yan Zu, personally subduing a Divine Master was beneath him, not to mention all three of them acting at once. However, this was Yun Che's command.

Tian Guhu knelt heavily on the ground, his body feeling as if crushed by countless mountains; only his eyeballs could still move. He made no attempt to struggle. The power pressing down on him was so immense that any single wisp could instantly obliterate him. Resistance was a futile joke.

Yun Che took out a massive, pitch-black cauldron and set it heavily before Tian Guhu. It was the Devil Source Artifact of the Yama Devil Realm, the Yama Extinction Devil Cauldron.

The appearance of the Yama Extinction Devil Cauldron caused a stir among the Yama Devils in the hall.

"Is he going to…?" Yan Tianxiao instantly realized something, a chill gripping his heart as he instinctively took a step forward.

However, he immediately retracted his step and the words he was about to speak, forcing himself to remain silent.

Yun Che's palm glided slowly over the Yama Extinction Devil Cauldron. As he lifted his hand, a flame-like mass of darkness floated out from the cauldron and hovered between his fingers.

The moment this dark glow appeared, it instantly swallowed all light in the Imperial Hall. An intense Yama Devil aura permeated the air, entering everyone's mind through their eyes, reaching every corner of their soul. This was the Devil Source Power of the Yama Devils, the very essence of an ancient true devil!

As a true devil's source energy, it could be inherited by a chosen individual but could not be forcibly controlled. Even the Yama Devil Emperors of previous generations possessed no ability to interfere with it.

Yet, at this moment, it obediently followed Yun Che's guidance without any resistance.

Even though the Yama Devils had long witnessed and understood Yun Che's various terrifying abilities that defied comprehension, the sight before them still sent shivers through their hearts.

"This is the Yama Devil's Devil Source Power," Yun Che stated slowly. The power hovered before him, yet the dark light in his eyes remained unchanged, not absorbed in the slightest. "It will grant you power that others wouldn't dare to dream of in a lifetime, let alone a single day. I hope that when the time comes, you will live up to your name, 'Gu Hu'!"

As his words faded, without waiting for any response from Tian Guhu, Yun Che's fingers, carrying the dark glow, pressed firmly onto Tian Guhu's forehead.

*Boom—*

A dull roar resonated as the Yama Devil aura violently surged, instantly engulfing everything. Tian Guhu's figure was completely swallowed by the dark glow of the Yama Devil power.

"Agh!"

A pained shriek escaped the dark glow but was immediately stifled. This was followed by a series of grinding sounds, yet no further screams were heard.

The Yama Devils naturally held a deep, ingrained reverence for the Devil Source Power.

While the Yama Devil inheritance could be forcibly reclaimed by the Yama Extinction Devil Cauldron, there was a specific restriction on the transmission of Yama Devil power: it could only be passed on to those possessing Yama Devil bloodline.

Yet, Tian Guhu—lacking both the source power's acknowledgment and the Yama Devil bloodline—accomplished it in just one hour under Yun Che's manipulation! Was it truly possible for him to forcibly bear this power?

"My Lord, this…" In the surrounding darkness, Yan E transmitted a message to Yan Tianxiao. The Yama Devil power had belonged exclusively to their clan since ancient times; if this truly succeeded, it would mean the outflow of Devil Source Power!

"Say no more!" Yan Tianxiao reprimanded.

Half an hour passed, then a full hour…

With a mighty roar, the dark glow and turbulent air within the Imperial Hall completely dispersed.

The dark glow, condensed from the Devil Source Power, vanished. Before Yun Che, Tian Guhu lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath and drenched in sweat. A faint dark light slowly circulated around his body, and the aura emanating from him had undergone a drastic transformation.

Under the varied gazes of the Yama Devils, Tian Guhu slowly lifted his head. The moment his eyes opened, a profound dark light flickered within his pupils.

Yan Tianxiao's hands silently clenched into fists, and a violent tingling sensation ran through his hair.

If he felt this way, the other Yama Devils were even more stunned.

Tian Guhu appeared incredibly weak at that moment, yet the aura he emitted was distinctly that of a Divine Master Realm Level Eight!

A typical Yama Devil inheritance, from the injection of the source power to its complete fusion, normally required at least several days.

Yet Tian Guhu—lacking both the source power's acknowledgment and the Yama Devil bloodline—accomplished it in just one hour under Yun Che's guidance!

Although still somewhat unstable, the Yama Devil aura emanating from Tian Guhu was remarkably complete, with no signs of disruption or rejection.

The shock in the hearts of the Yama Devils was beyond words.

Before Yun Che, Tian Guhu dropped heavily to his knees, his recently straightened body and lifted head now profoundly bowed. "From this day forward," he declared, "Tian Guhu's life and being belong entirely to Senior Yun!"

"No, you're mistaken," Yun Che stated, looking at him with a sidelong glance. "Your life belongs only to yourself. You don't need to abandon the Imperial Heaven Realm where you were born, nor do you need to force yourself into allegiance with the Yama Devil Realm."

"You are still Tian Guhu, not a Yama Devil! What I desire is not your life, but your 'ambition'!"

Tian Guhu looked up, each word deeply etched into his soul. "My ambition requires your guidance and fulfillment, Senior," he stated, "and only you can guide and fulfill it!"

"In that case," Yun Che said, turning his back, "you will stay in the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea for a while. Once you've adapted to this power, you may return to your Imperial Heaven Realm."

"After that…" Yun Che paused slightly before continuing, "The most valuable asset you possess is not the Yama Devil power you've inherited, but your influence—especially among Divine Sovereigns and the younger generation. Do you understand what I mean?"

Tian Guhu etched every one of Yun Che's words into his memory. His blood surged, for he clearly felt that his once unattainable dream was now within reach.

"Gu Hu understands… I will certainly not disappoint you, Senior," Tian Guhu affirmed, suppressing his intense excitement.

"Go to the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea now. Yan Er, assist him in fusing with the Yama Devil power during this period."

"This old servant respectfully obeys your command, Master," Yan Er promptly replied.

Then Yun Che's tone deepened. "And… don't call me Senior!"

Tian Guhu paused, then quickly bowed his head. "Understood."

Rumors about Yun Che had saturated the Northern Divine Region recently, so Tian Guhu was well aware that Yun Che was only thirty years old.

Yet, the feeling of "looking up at a towering mountain" in Yun Che's presence made the title "Senior" flow from his lips with utter respect and naturalness.

Yan Er then led Tian Guhu away.

With Yan Er's assistance, Tian Guhu would undoubtedly adapt to and integrate the newly acquired Yama Devil power at an exceptionally rapid pace.

Simultaneously, Yun Che gained another potent force under his command—one that would be loyal to him and prove immensely influential.

"My Lord, please wait," Yan Tianxiao called out. "There's a matter that requires your personal decision."

As Yun Che prepared to leave, Yan Tianxiao stopped him, holding up a jade tablet that faintly shimmered with a dark glow.

Yun Che's gaze narrowed. He recognized at once that the swirling dark mist on the tablet was the aura of the Soul Stealing Realm.

"Something sent by the Devil Queen?" Yun Che asked indifferently, not reaching out to touch it.

"The Seventh Devil Maiden herself delivered this invitation the day before yesterday," Yan Tianxiao explained.

"An invitation?" Yun Che frowned slightly. "When is it for?"

"Seven days from now," Yan Tianxiao replied. "The Devil Queen will arrive in person, and the invitation specifically states that she wishes to meet you, My Lord, not me."

"Seven days?" Yun Che's frown deepened, followed by a cold sneer. "That's unusual. She usually barges in to see whoever she wants, never giving anyone a chance to react. It's surprising she sent an invitation this time, and even allowed such a long preparation period."

"I was actually expecting her to descend from the sky with a retinue of Devil Maidens, delivering a grand surprise."

Yun Che's lips curled into a slight, chilling smile, his eyes radiating a terrifying coldness.

Yan Tianxiao, discerning the subtle cues, began to realize that Yun Che's intentions toward the Soul Stealing Realm went beyond mere annexation. There seemed to be a significant past grievance between him and the Devil Queen.

"What are your intentions, My Lord?" Yan Tianxiao inquired.

Yun Che thought for a moment. "The most unwise way to deal with that woman," he stated, "is to engage her in schemes and calculations."

"If she wants seven days, then I will simply wait for her for seven days!"

"However, I won't be waiting here."

Yan Tianxiao's eyes flickered. "Are you planning to go to…" He immediately cut himself off. "Tianxiao misspoke," he quickly corrected, "My Lord, please forgive me."

"I will return in seven days," Yun Che stated. "During this time, prepare the invitations for the Grand Enthronement Ceremony. Remember, they must be sent to all Upper Star Realms, Middle Star Realms, and the most crucial Lower Star Realms. You may decide the specific wording."

"Yes," Yan Tianxiao acknowledged. He then asked, "Regarding the newly constructed Imperial Hall, do you have any preferences, My Lord?"

"No need," Yun Che replied, his voice already fading as his figure receded. "I have no use for such things."

This place was the desolate border of a subsidiary star realm of the Yama Devil Realm—eternally dim and devoid of life.

The Wood Spirit girl knelt beside Yun Che, her emerald green hair occasionally lifted by the passing cold wind, gently caressing her flawless face.

From time to time, she would discreetly glance at Yun Che's profile, her jade-like eyes shimmering like fleeting glass.

Hong'er and You'er sat on either side of Yun Che's lap. Hong'er was vigorously chewing a shimmering black crystal Yun Che had given her, while You'er gently nibbled on a sweet treat He Ling had just prepared.

"Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!" Hong'er exclaimed three times, her cheeks puffed out, and her red eyes sparkling with excitement.

You'er's tiny hands carefully held her dessert, her four-colored eyes continually watching Hong'er chew and swallow with such gusto, seemingly envying her ability to eat with such relish.

*Gulp!*

Hong'er swallowed hard, and at that moment, an incredibly strange dark glow flashed in her crimson eyes. Her upper body eagerly lunged onto Yun Che's lap. "I want more to eat! Why didn't you bring out such delicious things from the Northern Divine Region sooner, Master?!"

Yun Che reached out, holding two black crystals the size of longans. "You can only have two more today," he said.

He needed to reserve a significant portion for a momentous task he had long dreamt of accomplishing!

"Hmph, still so stingy."

Mumbling with pouted lips, Hong'er's hands moved swiftly. She snatched the crystals from Yun Che's grasp, popped them into her mouth, and bit down with a *crunch*. Then, with narrowed red eyes and a look of utter enjoyment, she began to chew.

In a distant corner, Yan Yi and Yan San watched wide-eyed as the red-haired girl popped Eternal Darkness Devil Crystals—which they dared not even touch—into her mouth like candy. Their bodies involuntarily recoiled, trembling from head to toe.

"Wh-wh-wh-what… what kind of monster is that?!" Yan Yi stammered, trembling.

"I… I don't know," Yan San replied, shaking his head. Then he glared and muttered, "Hmph! Can you speak properly, old ghost?! Our Master is the Devil Emperor reborn, on par with the heavens, beyond the reach of all spirits. For us to be his servants is a grace we waited eight hundred thousand years to receive!"

"This young lady is clearly someone close to our Master, so of course, her nature is beyond our comprehension! For you, an old ghost, to call her a 'monster' is simply inexcusably rude!"

Yan Yi jolted, nodding vigorously. "Right, right, right… you're absolutely right."

"Master, why did you choose Tian Guhu?" He Ling asked softly.

She most admired Yun Che's demeanor at this moment; it was only when he was with Hong'er and You'er that he occasionally revealed his former warm smile.

"The more steadfast a person's conviction, the less likely it is to be distorted," Yun Che replied. "However, such individuals are also easier to control. By fulfilling his previously unattainable grand ambitions, he will naturally repay me with loyalty… and his very life."

"Furthermore, compared to me, a newcomer, Tian Guhu's personal prestige and influence within the Northern Divine Region are an invaluable weapon, the impact of which is hard to overestimate!"

"So, Master, you're not doing this out of admiration for him?" He Ling asked, her eyes betraying a subtle anomaly. "Are you also using him as a tool?"

"Of course," Yun Che said, raising his gaze to look ahead. "Everything in the Northern Region is a tool that can be used."

"Then…" He Ling lowered her head slightly, her hazy emerald eyes partially hidden by her hair. "Am I… a tool as well?"

Since the day Yun Che abruptly proposed dual cultivation to her, her heart had known no peace. Unconsciously, a multitude of emotions had arisen: confusion, disorientation, bewilderment, and a constant wavering between hope and anxiety.

She didn't know why. Even though she had already understood that the rest of her life would become Yun Che's personal possession when she resolved to transform into a poison spirit for revenge, as this moment drew nearer, she grew more restless and anxious with each passing day.