Chapter 1753: Bandi's Burial (Part 1)

High above, the projection remained open.

In the Eternal Heaven Realm, Yun Che reached out, and a sphere of profound light immediately enveloped Xing Juekong, causing his frail body to radiate intense life force. The moment he raised his head in surprise, even his previously dim and clouded eyes became remarkably clear.

Yun Che exchanged a glance with Chi Wuyao. No words were needed; even without the glance, Chi Wuyao already understood Yun Che's intention. Her lips curved slightly, and a deep, intense black light instantly flickered in her eyes.

Xing Juekong was now utterly crippled, both physically and spiritually. Chi Wuyao's dark soul power pierced directly into his soul, and he had no power to resist. A faint black glimmer flickered in Xing Juekong's eyes, then transformed into a steadily growing, authoritative cold light.

Holding the Star God Divine Plate, he slowly rose from the ground. Despite having no profound energy, he had, after all, reigned as an emperor for ten millennia. The rekindled imperial aura in his eyes caused even Shui Qianheng and Lu Zhou to feel a faint sense of pressure. He stepped forward with a solemn expression. As he entered the projection's range, gasps of astonishment erupted throughout the Eastern Divine Region.

“The... Star God Emperor!?”

In the distant Star God subsidiary realms, the six Star Gods—Tianxuan, Tianyao, Tianyang, Tianyan, Tianhun, and Tianmei—all shot to their feet as if struck by lightning, exclaiming, “God Emperor!” This was Xing Juekong's first appearance before the world since his disappearance years ago. Neither the Star Gods nor the Eastern Region's profound practitioners could comprehend why he was now at Yun Che's side.

The Star Gods' excitement and shock were beyond words. Especially upon seeing the Star God Divine Plate in Xing Juekong's hand—it was the lifeblood of their Star God Realm's legacy! As long as the Star God Divine Plate existed, the Star God Realm could once again achieve its former glory.

Thud!

To everyone's utter astonishment, Xing Juekong knelt heavily beside Yun Che—on both knees. He held high the Star God Divine Plate, the symbol of the Star God Realm's core lifeblood, his gaze piercing and his expression solemn: “I, Xing Juekong, your humble king, having received the Devil Master's divine grace and salvation, and feeling the gift of the Devil Master's forgiveness, hereby, in the name of the Star God Emperor, pledge the Star God Realm to the Devil Master's command.”

“From this day forward, the entire Star God Realm shall forever honor the Devil Master. Any who defy the Devil Master's will shall be considered enemies of my Star God Realm!”

“Should I violate this oath, may heaven and earth destroy me!”

His words resonated with profound conviction, as if spoken from the deepest part of his soul. Though kneeling, his eyes and expression still carried imperial authority, devoid of any pretense or coercion. The Realm Kings and profound practitioners of the Eastern Divine Region were utterly stunned, while the Star Gods and Star God Elders were left speechless, their hearts reeling for a long time.

Although Xing Juekong had been missing for a long time, and the Star God Realm had completely fallen silent after the Evil Infant's calamity, he was still the Star God Emperor. The Divine Plate in his hand, intrinsically linked to the Star God's very essence, made it impossible to deny his identity. Even though the Star God Realm had severely declined, it still boasted six Star Gods and seventeen Star God Elders, remaining far more powerful than any star realm beneath a King Realm. Especially after the demise of the Eternal Heaven and Moon God Realms, the Star God Realm had become one of the last two remaining King Realms in the Eastern Divine Region. And Xing Juekong, having reappeared, used the Star God Emperor's name and wielded the Star God Divine Plate to pledge allegiance to the Devil Master Yun Che...

For the profound practitioners of the Eastern Divine Region, this was undoubtedly another immense blow, cruelly shattering their already dwindling hope and determination.

“Sister,” Tianyao Star God Qiangwei said, turning to look at Tianxuan Star God Ziyuan. The other Star Gods' gazes also converged on her. With the Star God Emperor missing, and Tian Poison Hell Vine, Tian Gang Divine Tiger, and Tian Yuan Tumina deceased, along with Tian Killing Jasmine and Tian Wolf Caizhi... among the remaining six Star Gods, Tianxuan Ziyuan was the strongest and most reputable, naturally becoming the provisional head of the Star Gods. She slowly rose, her gaze fixed on the Star God Divine Plate in Xing Juekong's hand. However, she did not see the divine radiance of the Heavenly Poison, Heavenly Origin, Heavenly Gang, and Heavenly Slaughter Star Gods, which should have been shining from it.

The divine power of the Heavenly Slaughter Star God, having been expelled from chaos along with Evil Infant Jasmine, was likely annihilated, including her original Star God power. Even if it wasn't, the chaotic barrier separating them meant it could never return to the Star God Divine Plate. But why were those of Tian Yuan, Tian Poison, and Tian Gang also missing...? Could it be that new successors had already appeared for all of them so swiftly?

However, she had no time to dwell on these thoughts. Gazing into the distance, countless chaotic images swirled in her mind. What ultimately stood out was the memory of Yun Che's death in the Star God Realm for Jasmine... Her eyes slowly lost their focus as she murmured, “It's time... to make a choice.”

In the Eternal Heaven Realm, both Shui Qianheng and Lu Zhou watched Xing Juekong's actions with profound trepidation. When their gaze fell upon Chi Wuyao once more, the hair on their bodies involuntarily stood on end, and a shiver ran from their feet to the top of their heads.

After swearing allegiance, Xing Juekong backed out of the projection area. The moment he exited, as the black light in Chi Wuyao's eyes faded, he instantly collapsed, utterly motionless. Yun Che extended his hand, and the Star God Divine Plate instantly flew back, vanishing into his grasp. Xing Juekong, having served his purpose, was re-frozen and returned to the Primordial Profound Ark.

The shock of the Star God Emperor swearing allegiance to the Dark Devil Master before the world still resonated in everyone's minds. In the projection, the figure of Lu Zhou, the Overturning Heaven Realm King, appeared next. Behind him stood Lu Lengchuan, the Young Master of Overturning Heaven, whose reputation was now almost as formidable as his own.

“Devil Master, the root cause of this disaster lies primarily with my Eastern Divine Region's grave errors. However, the common people are innocent; they are merely victims who were manipulated.” Lu Zhou's gaze was piercing, and his words sincere. Though addressing Yun Che, he seemed to be speaking more to the profound practitioners of the Eastern Divine Region: “This intense hatred and slaughter between the Northern and Eastern Divine Regions will only lead to endless suffering and death for both sides. I implore the Devil Master to grant my Eastern Divine Region a chance to re-embrace darkness... even if it is merely an opportunity for atonement and reconciliation.”

Words like “atonement” and “reconciliation” were undoubtedly jarring to the Eastern Divine Region. Yet, in their disadvantaged position, they had to adopt the humble stance of the vanquished. Lu Zhou was not negotiating; he was pleading for a chance for the Eastern Divine Region to survive.

“I, Lu Zhou, Overturning Heaven Realm King, am willing to lead the Overturning Heaven Realm to pledge allegiance to the Devil Master and obey his commands! I firmly believe that the people of the Eastern Divine Region, now fully aware of the truth, will surely be willing to gradually resolve their animosity with the Northern Divine Region and coexist peacefully with dark profound practitioners.”

As expected of one of the three great Realm Kings of the Eastern Divine Region, Lu Zhou's words were not only deeply moving but also incredibly persuasive. Shui Yingyue also stepped forward then. Lu Zhou had said enough. She bowed deeply and offered a simple declaration: “The Glazed Light Realm pledges eternal loyalty to the Devil Master, without a trace of disloyalty.”

After the Star God Emperor, two of the three most influential Star Realms, representing the Eastern Divine Region's numerous realms, also publicly swore allegiance to the Dark Devil Master. Even the Eastern Region profound practitioners, who had initially resisted fiercely, found themselves bewildered and suddenly unable to find a reason to continue their defiance.

“I have already given the Eastern Divine Region its chance,” Yun Che said, his back to the myriad beings of the Eastern Region, his voice low and heavy. “In seven days, I eagerly await to see how many star realms will vanish into darkness!”

The projection closed, and the Eastern Divine Region instantly fell into a dreadful silence. With the Star God Emperor, the Glazed Light Realm, and the Overturning Heaven Realm setting the precedent, there was no doubt that numerous higher star realms would choose to surrender when faced with Yun Che's “opportunity.” Consequently, the Eastern Divine Region's resistance would only weaken further. Perhaps then, resistance would be perceived as nothing short of foolishness.

However, the Eastern Divine Region was not entirely devoid of hope. At the very least, they still had the Brahma Monarch God Realm, which remained unmoving but might yet make a stunning declaration, and the Sacred Universe Realm, the foremost Star Realm with sufficient prestige to rally and organize other realms.

As the projection closed, Yun Che slowly narrowed his eyes and murmured, “Next, there's one last 'straw'.”

At that moment, three streaks of black light descended from the sky as Yan Yi, Yan Er, and Yan San appeared, bowing in unison before Yun Che.

“Hmm? So soon?” Yun Che asked, glancing sideways. “You didn't come back empty-handed, did you?”

The three Yama Ancestors shivered in unison. Yan Yi bowed his head and reported, “Master, we searched nearly half of the Eastern Divine Region, yet... we couldn't find a single trace of a Moon God.”

“Not a single one?” Yun Che frowned deeply, then said gravely, “I refuse to believe that all the Moon Gods were annihilated by the Eternal Darkness Devil Crystal.”

“This... this old slave... will... will go search again,” Yan Er stammered nervously, not daring to argue or even offer an full explanation.

“No need,” Yun Che sneered. “If they're smart enough, they'd have tucked their tails and fled as far as possible immediately. If that's truly the case, then let them live a little longer, just like that old dog from the Eternal Heaven Realm!” He slowly turned his head, gazing in the direction of the Brahma Monarch God Realm. “It's almost time to witness a spectacular show,” he murmured.

The Brahma Monarch God Emperor, in whom the Eastern Region profound practitioners had placed their last hope, remained in seclusion. Concurrently, he was plunged into unprecedented despair.

“Cough... cough, cough... Pfft!”

Amidst a violent coughing fit, Qianye Fantian spat out a mouthful of scarlet blood. In the dim, silent hall, the blood splattered on the floor reflected a faint, eerie green light. He raised his hand, seeing his palm had grown even paler than an hour ago. He lifted his gaze, observing the Brahma Kings whose faces grew progressively more pained, and more... desperate.

For the past dozen hours, they had exhausted every possible method: the finest evil-warding divine jade, grand poison-dispelling formations, and even merging and integrating their powers... It was useless, utterly useless! All methods could only slightly suppress the poison's power, but none could dispel or annihilate even a single trace of “Heavenly Wound Severing Thought.”

The despair they had experienced years ago re-emerged, and this time it afflicted not only Qianye Fantian but the entire Brahma Monarch Royal City! That was the poison of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor Pearl; how could any mortal being of this age remove it?! Against “Heavenly Wound Severing Thought,” all the power of a God Emperor, all strategies and schemes, all accumulated wealth of a King Realm... were nothing but useless jokes.

“Lord, is there truly... no viable solution left?” the First Brahma King asked, his voice laced with pain. He could no longer recall how many times he had posed that question; each time he did, his eyes seemed to grow a shade darker.

“Heh!” Qianye Fantian chuckled darkly. “If there were a cure, why would this king... have abandoned Ying'er back then?” Back then, to ensure the faint Heavenly Poison would directly erupt within his body, Xia Qingyue and Yun Che had meticulously planned it, taking significant risks. Now, however, he and all the Brahma Kings had been poisoned without their knowledge—the two situations were worlds apart. Therefore, Qianye Fantian knew with absolute certainty that the Heavenly Poison, which had been so dreadful even back then, now had no possible cure apart from the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor Pearl itself.

He circulated his profound energy in the most careful and gentle manner, suppressing the corrosive spread of the poison. Slowly, he raised his head, his deep, unfathomable eyes fixed on the ceiling above. Even in this predicament, he was unwilling to beg Yun Che. He was desperately searching for other possibilities... or a fallback for the Brahma Monarch God Realm.

While the entire Brahma Monarch Royal City struggled painfully under “Heavenly Wound Severing Thought,” no one noticed that one Brahma King, while suppressing the Heavenly Poison, quietly left the Brahma Monarch Royal City, concealing his aura, and then departed from the Brahma Monarch God Realm's territory. His destination, strikingly, was the location of the Southern Sea God Emperor.