Chapter 1694: Whispering in a Dream

On the Primeval Profound Ark.

Under the green shade, a gentle breeze stirred.

He Ling, clad in a green vine-patterned robe, nestled quietly against Yun Che. Her porcelain-white calves and delicate feet were bare, allowing the flowers and grass to caress them.

She loved this moment—a serene peacefulness that defied description, an unprecedented sense of security and warmth. She even silently wished that time could freeze forever at this instant.

Yun Che gazed ahead, lost in thought. A hand, which had slipped beneath He Ling's skirt at some unknown point, gently caressed her smooth, soft, and fragrant leg.

If it had been Qianye Ying'er, she would have slapped his hand and him ten miles away. But He Ling offered no resistance; she simply bit her lip, letting him take liberties with her.

Occasionally, she would subtly turn her gaze to look at Yun Che. However, the misty beauty in her eyes had undergone a subtle change; it was no longer the submissiveness she showed to her 'master,' but a tender, admiring look for her man.

Contrary to Yun Che's expectations, after six days of dual cultivation with He Ling, his perception of the Law of Nothingness showed no signs of further progress.

Instead, He Ling's aura had quietly undergone a strange transformation. Especially her emerald eyes, whose inner divine light became deeper and more ethereal.

Of the three Heavenly Books of the Vanishing World, he possessed only two.

Could it be that, before obtaining the final Heavenly Book, there lay an unbridgeable chasm before him?

However, the last Heavenly Book was with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, and with her departure, it had vanished from the Chaos Realm forever.

This meant that... at present, he had likely reached the limit of his ability to comprehend the Law of Nothingness.

In the years to come, he could wield it more freely and naturally, but he would never be able to advance further.

The reason he had suddenly become so eager to dual cultivate with He Ling was that, after the Burning Moon incident, his trust in Chi Wuyao had instantly transformed into immense dread and murderous intent.

It also made him realize, more acutely than ever, that in this world, the only one he could truly trust and rely on was himself.

He had used the Law of Nothingness to forcibly link the source energy of the Four Star Gods to his own aura, enduring the burden and backlash of activating 'Divine Cinder.' While it killed Fen Daojun, it also caused the divine sources of the Four Star Gods to collapse and vanish forever.

If the Law of Nothingness could advance further, he might be able to forcefully absorb divine source power... such as the Burning Moon source power of Fen Daojun and Fen Daozang.

If this were possible, his cultivation would undoubtedly advance significantly.

But clearly, the barrier created by the incomplete Heavenly Books of the Vanishing World could not be forcibly broken through.

Nevertheless, although his wish had not been granted, he had now perfectly subjugated the Three Yama Ancestors and the Yama Devil Realm, and no longer feared Chi Wuyao.

Moreover, his state of mind had greatly improved during these days of intimate closeness with He Ling.

“Master, what are you thinking about?” He Ling's voice was soft and gentle. Connected to Yun Che by life, she could clearly perceive the changes in his mood.

“It's almost time. I should go see that woman,” Yun Che said slowly.

He Ling looked up, softly asking, “Does Master truly intend to... kill the Devil Queen?”

As she spoke, her head remained nestled against his shoulder, reluctant to part. Although she had been inseparable from him day and night for several years, for some reason, her attachment to him had multiplied a thousandfold in these few short days. Even a slight separation of their touching bodies would cause a feeling of emptiness in her heart.

“She must die,” Yun Che's voice turned sharply cold, then immediately softened. “It's a pity I realized it too late. If I had known earlier, I would have directly bestowed upon her the power used to kill Fen Daojun.”

He Ling thought for a moment, then said, “Master needs power most right now. The Soul Stealing Realm is incredibly powerful, and all the Devil Maidens and Soul Spirits are completely loyal to the Devil Queen. If you forcibly kill her at this time, even if successful, you will inevitably become mortal enemies with the Soul Stealing Realm. This would be very bad, both now and in the future.”

“Maintaining an alliance would be a very powerful force,” He Ling continued softly, her voice weak. “Moreover... whenever the Devil Queen is present, there’s always a feeling of great reliability and security.”

“No,” Yun Che shook his head. “If it were anyone else, I would feign ignorance, play along, and consolidate their power to flatten the Three God Realms before settling accounts.”

“But Chi Wuyao is too cunning, too terrifying,” Yun Che's chest rose and fell heavily. “In such a short time with her, I was exploited and betrayed to this extent. If I continue to 'cooperate' with her, I fear every step will lead me deeper into an abyss.”

In the vast Northern Divine Region, only Chi Wuyao could inspire such dread in Yun Che.

He Ling clearly felt the killing intent emanating from Yun Che. Her soft lips moved slightly, and after a long moment of hesitation, she finally said, “Could it be... could it all just be a coincidence, and the Devil Queen didn’t mean to harm Master?”

“Everything else could be a coincidence, but not the Soul Sky Ship. That is absolutely impossible,” Yun Che stated.

“But...” He Ling hesitated, “I always feel that she wouldn’t harm Master. Instead... instead...”

He Ling did not finish her sentence; she knew it was just a feeling from an unknown source, without any basis.

“That’s also her most terrifying quality—she makes people trust her unknowingly,” Yun Che narrowed his eyes. “Indeed, she truly is the Devil Emperor's soul.”

Yun Che stood up, turning his gaze to the distance. He sensed the changes in Qianye Ying'er's aura, and his eyes slowly grew cold. “Let me see if she truly dares to come, or if she’s just bluffing.”

Upon returning to the Yama Devil Imperial Realm, Yun Che immediately sensed Chi Wuyao’s presence.

She had arrived and was inside the Imperial Hall.

Moreover, apart from her, there were no other auras from the Soul Stealing Realm... no Devil Maidens, Soul Spirits, or Soul Servants accompanied her—she was completely alone!

Yun Che hovered in mid-air, his brows tightly furrowed. Once again, Chi Wuyao's actions had completely defied his expectations.

His order to Yan Tianxiao to seal off news was merely a pretense to disrupt Chi Wuyao’s judgment. He never believed Chi Wuyao wouldn't discover what he used to force the vast Yama Devil Realm into submission.

Furthermore, she understood the Eternal Darkness Calamity far better than Yan Tianxiao.

He could summon the power of the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, forcing the entire Yama Devil Realm to comply... Chi Wuyao had no reason not to know that if she dared to enter the Yama Devil Imperial Realm, Yun Che could certainly use the power of the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea to push her to her death.

So, why did she still dare to come?

He absolutely refused to believe that someone as cunning as Chi Wuyao wouldn't realize he intended to kill her.

After long deliberation, Yun Che descended, landing before the Imperial Hall.

“Greetings, My Lord, and the two Ancestors,” Yan Tianxiao quickly stepped forward. Behind him followed the Five Yama Devils, including Yan Wu. Clearly, with the Devil Queen herself present, they dared not show the slightest disrespect.

“Hmm?” Yun Che glanced at them. “None of you are accompanying our guest?”

Yan Tianxiao replied, “The Devil Queen said she wished to see My Lord alone. Thinking it might concern My Lord’s private matters, we dared not presume.”

“Are you sure she’s alone?” Yun Che asked.

“Yes,” Yan Wu replied. “I personally went out to investigate. The Devil Queen is indeed alone; there is no aura of any Devil Maidens within ten thousand miles outside the realm.”

“Hmph, interesting,” Yun Che stepped forward, passing through Yan Di and the Yama Devils, and entered the Imperial Hall.

The light dimmed, and Yun Che immediately saw Chi Wuyao’s figure, still shrouded in ethereal, faint black mist. She still exuded that invisible, soul-captivating devilish might that made one instinctively want to kneel in submission.

“Devil Queen, your presence honors us. Forgive our lack of a proper welcome.”

Yun Che strode forward, his voice clear. Behind him, Yan Yi and Yan San unleashed their auras, instantly dispelling Chi Wuyao’s invisible field.

Chi Wuyao turned, her enchanting eyes under the black mist looking directly into Yun Che’s... After many days, his eyes were still chillingly dark, but now with an added sharpness that pierced one's heart.

Because he no longer needed to pretend.

Those few short words just now were an undisguised declaration of his identity as the Yama Devil Lord.

She softly parted her lips, uttering a soul-stirring devilish voice, “Calling me 'Devil Queen' is less intimate than simply calling me by my name.”

Her tone shifted, becoming mournful and resentful, like a weeping lament, “It’s only been a little over twenty days since we last met, so why have you become so distant?”

“Heh!” Yun Che sneered, his brows suddenly deepening. “Chi Wuyao, put away your alluring charm. By now, you can’t be so naive as to think I would pretend not to know what you’ve done, can you?”

The name “Chi Wuyao,” though the same three characters, was colder and more biting than any time he had uttered it before.

“...” Chi Wuyao sighed softly, saying, “What happened with Qianying was indeed my fault. I will make amends.”

If she hadn't allowed Qianye Ying'er to fight Fen Daojun, the subsequent events wouldn't have occurred. This had also become a deeply heavy knot in her heart.

Yun Che sharply narrowed his eyes, a hint of killing intent seeping into his cold sneer. “Previously, you feigned ignorance, yet now you admit it so readily. As expected of the renowned Devil Queen of the Northern Region, you truly know how to assess the situation.”

“My mistake was... I shouldn't have let Qianying fight Fen Daojun,” Chi Wuyao slowly said. “I truly did not know beforehand that she was pregnant.”

The coldness at the corner of Yun Che's lips instantly transformed into deep mockery. “So, you summoned the Soul Sky Ship so promptly in advance out of concern for my safety? Ha... haha, Chi Wuyao, tell me, should I believe such a ridiculous joke?”

“...” Chi Wuyao remained silent.

“I have to admit, when it comes to cunning and ruthlessness, you are indeed formidable enough to be considered unmatched. After all, you are the only one in the world who has risen from a mere mortal woman to a Devil Queen capable of making even Divine Emperors tremble.”

“Unfortunately, you were still too hasty,” Yun Che’s voice was low. “Perhaps in your eyes, compared to taking down the vast Burning Moon, a mere sacrifice was completely worth it, and even if I later learned everything, I would still gladly accept Burning Moon's submission.”

“But understanding a person is difficult, just as I’ve never truly seen through you. Although I am a devil who would stop at nothing for revenge, I still have... a bottom line that absolutely cannot be crossed!”

Chi Wuyao remained silent. Beneath the black mist, she kept her gaze fixed on Yun Che, watching him intently.

“Before I stepped in here, I was very curious about one thing,” Yun Che’s gaze remained fixed on Chi Wuyao as well, observing her every minute movement without deviation for a moment. “That is, exactly how you intend to leave here alive.”

Chi Wuyao: “...”

“If it’s merely that joke from earlier, then it would be too disappointing, and it would truly tarnish your formidable reputation as 'Devil Queen.'”

The curve of Yun Che’s lips grew increasingly sinister, and his gaze became darker. He slowly raised his hand, his palm directly facing Chi Wuyao. “You, the Devil Queen, must know why the Yama Devil Realm was forced to submit to me. If I unleash the power of the Eternal Darkness Bone Sea, even ten of you wouldn't leave here alive.”

“But since you dared to come, and alone at that, you must have some reliance. That truly makes me curious.”

Yun Che’s eyes had narrowed into two slits. The auras of the two Yama Ancestors behind him had also firmly locked onto Chi Wuyao. “Come, let me witness how you intend to break out of this situation. Please don’t disappoint me too much.”

Beneath the black mist, Chi Wuyao’s beautiful eyes shifted away. She turned slightly, and softly began, “Destiny is an incredibly wondrous thing. It can never be predicted, nor can one ever know... how enormous and how miraculous the outcome of a spontaneous decision might sometimes be.”

“Oh?” Yun Che gave a faint cold laugh, mocking her, “Is this perhaps the prelude you use to bewitch hearts and steal souls?”

“Yun Che...” she called softly, like a dreamlike whisper. “Do you still remember... ten years ago... in the Snow Song Realm... the thirty-sixth Ice Phoenix Palace... the one who brought you the Frigid Dew of Frosted Rhyme...”

“...your senior sister?”