Chapter 1709: Ice Princess, Snow Heart

Eastern Divine Region, Snow Song Realm.

Huo Poyun, the Flame God Realm King, was clad in red, moving as if consumed by flames. His robes were emblazoned with three divine flame patterns: Golden Crow, Vermillion Bird, and Phoenix. Although he hailed from the Golden Crow Sect, the three divine flame patterns were imprinted equally, showing no favoritism.

After experiencing three millennia in the God Realm of Absolute Beginning and becoming the first true Realm King in the history of the Flame God Realm, Huo Poyun was no longer the naive, stubborn, and easily bewildered young man he once was. His gaze was calm, but the occasional flash of flame in his eyes held a profound and awe-inspiring power that made one's heart tremble.

Beneath his feet lay an endless snowfield, yet as the Flame God Realm King walked, not a single flake of ice or snow melted. For years, he had been cultivating deep within the Burial God Inferno. His mastery over flames had reached an unparalleled peak.

Arriving before the Ice Phoenix Realm, Huo Poyun smiled warmly at the welcoming Ice Phoenix female disciple. “Please inform the Ice Cloud Realm King that Huo Poyun of the Flame God Realm has come to visit.”

The Flame God Realm was now an Upper Star Realm, while the Snow Song Realm’s standing among Middle Star Realms had plummeted since Mu Xuanyin’s demise. For an Upper Realm King to personally visit a Middle Star Realm was a condescension for the former and a great honor for the latter. However, the relationship between Snow Song and Flame God Realms was, after all, subtle. The Ice Phoenix Divine Sect had grown accustomed to the Flame God Realm King’s condescending visits.

Instead of announcing his arrival, the welcoming Ice Phoenix female disciple curtsied gracefully and said, “The Sect Master is currently in seclusion and cannot receive visitors. However, she left instructions that if the Flame God Realm King were to visit, you are free to enter at your convenience.”

Huo Poyun nodded. “In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony… May I ask if Fairy Fei Xue is within the sect?”

Huo Poyun had arrived alone, without any attendants. The Ice Phoenix female disciple facing him showed no surprise at his question. She replied, “Senior Sister Fei Xue is currently in the Thirty-Sixth Ice Phoenix Palace. If the Flame God Realm King wishes, you may proceed there directly.” It was rare for an ordinary female disciple of a middle-tier sect to be so seemingly dismissive of an Upper Realm King.

“Ice Phoenix Palace?” Huo Poyun looked surprised. The Ice Phoenix Palace held a high status within the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, but Mu Feixue was a direct disciple of the Realm King; why would she be there?

The Ice Phoenix female disciple explained, “The Thirty-Sixth Ice Phoenix Palace was where Senior Brother Yun Che resided back then. Senior Sister Fei Xue often goes there to meditate.”

Huo Poyun’s expression stiffened for a moment before he gently smiled. “I see. Please lead the way.”

Stepping into the Thirty-Sixth Ice Phoenix Palace, the hall, constructed of ice, was serenely cold and quiet. Variously shaped snow branches and ice flowers sparkled like a myriad of stars, making one feel as if they were in an eternal illusion of ice and snow. Huo Poyun immediately sensed Mu Feixue’s aura, but he didn’t disturb her, instead walking softly on the ice crystal floor.

Suddenly… his steps halted, his gaze fixed on the glistening, snow-white ice branches before him. On each ice branch and snowy leaf, Yun Che’s name was inscribed, some deep, some shallow, some large, some small. They seemed to have been carved by a woman’s fingernails, each character exquisitely delicate, imbued with… faint traces of heartbreaking sorrow.

Unconsciously, Huo Poyun clenched his hands. His body swayed slightly, and he stumbled a step backward, seemingly losing strength. In his mind, he recalled the scene of his ‘break-up’ with Yun Che after Yun Che’s ‘resurrection’ and return to the Snow Song Realm…

“But I heard with my own ears… two Ice Phoenix disciples talking about how your master had long ago bestowed her upon you as a dual cultivation partner! I heard it with my own ears! With my own ears! Yet you never said a word to me! All you offered was false consolation, completely… you were completely making a fool of me!”

After his furious roar, Yun Che’s indifferent reply followed. “Listen, back then, after completing the discipleship ceremony, Master did indeed name Feixue as my dual cultivation partner, and it was announced publicly. But… after that, I refused, and Master agreed. Because that matter was announced publicly by Master, revealing that she had been rejected by me would undoubtedly make Feixue a laughingstock, so it was never publicly disclosed. Feixue and I were never in a dual cultivation relationship. The time I spent with her during my several years in the Snow Song Realm doesn’t even add up to the few words we exchanged in Illusory Smoke City.”

“Fine, believe it or not, it’s no longer important to me. Also, this is the last time I’ll call you Brother Poyun.”

“Young Sect Master Huo… until we meet again.”

Huo Poyun clearly remembered that Yun Che’s words were exceptionally calm, devoid of any excitement or anger, almost imperceptibly indifferent. Only when the four words “Young Sect Master Huo” fell, and he turned to leave, did his gaze briefly flicker with a hint of disappointment.

Huo Poyun slowly exhaled. The brief moment of bewilderment had dissipated, and the turmoil in his eyes vanished, replaced by calmness… for he was now the Flame God Realm King; how could he lose composure so easily?

Staring at the name “Yun Che” that filled his vision, his thoughts drifted back to that year… the day the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor departed, and Yun Che’s destiny underwent a massive change…

Huo Poyun traveled alone through the air. Today marked the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor’s departure, and with his cultivation as a Divine Master at the fifth level, he naturally qualified to bid her farewell. However, he felt no excitement at witnessing history or the imminent end of the devil calamity. Only a profound unease filled his heart. At his current level, he knew deeply that all of this was fought for by Yun Che. As the Eternal Heaven God Emperor had stated, Yun Che was truly the Savior Son of the world.

But…

His figure gradually slowed until it stopped. He stood in a daze for a long time, then suddenly turned and headed back towards the Flame God Realm.

“Bidding farewell to the Devil Emperor will be witnessing a history that will never be repeated. Why has Young Sect Master Huo turned back?”

A voice drifted from afar. Huo Poyun’s figure halted once more, and he smiled faintly. “Then why has Brother Luo turned back?”

A figure swiftly approached from a distance, clad in white, with an extraordinary and refined demeanor. It was Luo Changsheng.

“As for the reason, I won’t conceal it from Young Sect Master Huo,” Luo Changsheng smiled. “It’s simply because I don’t wish to see a certain person. Let me guess, Young Sect Master Huo… is it for the same reason?”

Huo Poyun: “…”

“Since we are so fated, how about a visit to my Sacred Universe Realm?” Luo Changsheng invited.

“Alright.” Huo Poyun didn’t refuse. “During this time, I’ve also been thinking of visiting your revered master. After all, your revered master’s injuries… were ultimately caused by me.”

When Yun Che returned alive, after overhearing his reunion and conversation with Mu Feixue, Huo Poyun’s jealousy raged out of control. In his confused state, he revealed the news of Yun Che’s return to Luo Changsheng… which led Luo Guxie, who harbored extreme hatred for Yun Che, to immediately go to the Snow Song Realm. However, Luo Guxie ended up having an arm severed by Mu Xuanyin. The moment he informed Luo Changsheng, Huo Poyun regretted it… but what was done could not be undone. The subsequent events were beyond his foresight, and even more so, beyond his control.

Luo Changsheng, however, shook his head. “Master suffered a great setback this time and is in a terrible mood. It’s better not to approach her. Once Master is in better spirits, I will convey Young Sect Master Huo’s regards.”

“As for apologies…” Luo Changsheng sighed, shaking his head. “This was absolutely not your fault. On the contrary, I owe you a great favor, which I will surely repay if the opportunity arises in the future.”

“No need,” Huo Poyun replied indifferently, his expression dim.

Luo Changsheng cast a deep glance at Huo Poyun and suddenly said, “Speaking of which, I’ve always been quite curious. Before entering the God Realm of Absolute Beginning, Young Sect Master Huo and Yun Che were widely known to be close friends. When you first heard of Yun Che’s death, you were immensely sorrowful. Why do you now harbor hatred and resentment towards him?”

“Given Young Sect Master Huo’s character, it couldn’t be without reason. May I have the privilege of hearing it?”

“No particular reason,” Huo Poyun said. “It was merely my petty heart, nothing more.”

“Is it because of an ice fairy named Mu Feixue?” Luo Changsheng smiled.

Huo Poyun’s figure froze abruptly.

“The hatred of having one’s love stolen is a piercing pain to the bone,” Luo Changsheng sighed. “Especially for someone like Young Sect Master Huo…”

“No need to say more,” Huo Poyun’s breathing noticeably quickened. It took him a while to forcefully suppress it. “This matter was indeed due to my pettiness. Please… do not mention it again.”

“I misspoke,” Luo Changsheng said, and did not bring up the matter again.

The two traveled slowly, approaching the Sacred Universe Realm. At that moment, Luo Changsheng, who had been speaking volubly, suddenly broke off, his expression changing abruptly. Instead of slowing down, his alarm intensified.

“What happened?” Huo Poyun asked, frowning.

“Yun Che… is a devil!” Luo Changsheng whispered.

“What?!” Huo Poyun spun around abruptly.

Luo Changsheng waved his hand, transferring the telepathic message he had just received to Huo Poyun. The Devil Gods wished to enter… the Devil Emperor returned forcefully… the Evil Infant suddenly appeared, sealing the crimson rift… the Eternal Heaven God Emperor struck the Evil Infant out of the Primal Chaos… everything was peaceful, all calamities removed, yet Yun Che manifested dark devil energy and uttered blasphemous words.

This astonishing turn of events, far beyond imagination, filled Huo Poyun with dread. Then he heard Luo Changsheng say, “Damn it… the Moon God Emperor originally intended to personally execute Yun Che, but at the last moment, the Brahma Heaven God Empress used an Empty Illusion Stone to send him away!”

“Now, the various God Emperors have issued orders to search throughout the entire God Realm…”

Luo Changsheng’s voice abruptly ceased. Both his and Huo Poyun’s gazes were fixed straight ahead. There, an unmoving figure floated. Faint dark mist still emanated from his body.

“Yun Che!” Huo Poyun and Luo Changsheng exclaimed simultaneously. Appearing in their sight was indeed Yun Che, who had been sent away by the Empty Illusion Stone. When Qianye Ying’er threw out the Empty Illusion Stone, her slave imprint was on the verge of collapsing. Under her chaotic will, the power of the Empty Illusion Stone went somewhat out of control, not only sending Yun Che away but also knocking him unconscious.

“Heh, hahahaha!” After a moment of stunned silence, Luo Changsheng burst into laughter. “This truly is… a heaven-sent opportunity.”

Amidst his laughter, he was about to lunge forward, but a hand suddenly blocked him. “Wait.”

Huo Poyun gazed at the unconscious Yun Che and said in a deep voice, “Don’t be careless.” As he spoke, profound energy circulated through his body, and the Golden Crow flame ignited in his hand. “Yun Che possesses many secrets and trump cards. Countless death traps haven’t claimed his life, so we must be extremely careful…”

Before he finished speaking, his flaming palm brutally struck Luo Changsheng’s waist and ribs. Luo Changsheng, in his excitement, had all his attention on Yun Che. He never would have dreamed that Huo Poyun, who harbored the same resentment towards Yun Che as himself, would attack him, and he was struck with a single blow. At such close range and taken by surprise, Luo Changsheng instantly sprayed a mist of blood and was sent flying dozens of miles away. Meanwhile, Huo Poyun had lunged to Yun Che’s side, grabbed him, unleashed his full profound energy, and bolted away.

Luo Changsheng clutched his chest, his eyes sinister. Ignoring his injuries, he swiftly gave chase.

“Huo Poyun!” A sinister roar echoed from behind Huo Poyun. “The Yun Che of now is no longer the Savior Son, but a heretic everyone wants to eliminate! By doing this… are you preparing to drag the entire Flame God Realm down with him?!”

“…” Blood seeped between Huo Poyun’s teeth. He said nothing, nor did his speed slacken in the slightest.

Even injured, Luo Changsheng’s speed was incomparable to Huo Poyun’s. The distance between them gradually shortened, and Luo Changsheng’s voice came again, even deeper than before. “I haven’t informed anyone of this matter yet. Considering our friendship, I’m giving you one last chance: throw Yun Che to me… Otherwise, I fear the Flame God Realm might not be enough to be buried with him!”

Huo Poyun’s eyes were in turmoil, but he remained silent, and his speed did not diminish at all. At this moment, his pupils suddenly contracted. Because ahead, two incredibly powerful auras had suddenly appeared… each one surpassing his own. And the owners of these auras appeared in his sight in the next breath: Jun Xilei, who had entered the God Realm of Absolute Beginning with him, and… her master, Sword Sovereign Jun Wuming.