Chapter 1769: Truth

Qianye Ying'er's words undoubtedly pointed to a conclusion Yun Che and He Ling had never considered: The culprit who killed the Wood Spirit clan leader and his wife, along with countless Wood Spirits, causing the tragedy of He Lin and He Ling all those years ago, might... no, it was almost certainly not the Brahma Monarch God Realm.

Given Qianye Ying'er's current position, she would have no reason to intentionally protect the Brahma Monarch God Realm.

Yun Che could clearly feel the intense trembling of He Ling's soul.

"Furthermore," Qianye Ying'er continued, "The existence of Royal Wood Spirits is extremely rare; in many rumors, they are even said to be extinct. And their Wood Spirit Orbs are simply incomparable to ordinary Wood Spirit Orbs. From the perspective of a King Realm, there isn't much interest in common Wood Spirit Orbs, but if a Royal Wood Spirit were encountered, a strong desire for greed would certainly arise."

"However, the person who attacked allowed the Wood Spirit clan leader, who possessed a special Wood Spirit Orb, the chance to self-destruct. This means it's highly probable that he didn't recognize it was a Royal Wood Spirit. From this, we can deduce that the attacker was not very experienced and likely not very old."

"His objective was not the Royal Wood Spirit Orb, but simply to gather some ordinary Wood Spirit Orbs."

Yun Che frowned, falling silent for a moment.

Golden profound light, though rare, is not exceedingly uncommon. For example, Yun Che's Golden Crow Flame, as his profound energy and the Golden Crow Burning World Record improved, would emit flames closer to gold. Another example is Qianye Ying'er, who, even without her Brahma God divine power, occasionally released golden divine radiance through divine edicts.

However, profound energy that is naturally golden when released, to his memory, was unique to the Brahma Monarch and Southern Sea. Within the Eastern Divine Region, only the Brahma Monarch God Realm possessed it.

As the foremost King Realm in the Eastern Divine Region, the Brahma Monarch God Realm's golden profound energy was common knowledge among profound practitioners. Therefore, anyone in the Eastern Divine Region encountering a person radiating golden profound energy would immediately identify them as someone from the Brahma Monarch God Realm—even if they had never actually interacted with the Brahma Monarch God Realm in their life.

However, the golden color in the profound energy of Brahma Monarch profound practitioners below the Divine Sovereign Realm was so faint it was almost imperceptible. Even Yun Che was unaware of this detail.

From the outcome, the person who attacked the Wood Spirit clan leader did not seem to be a Divine Sovereign or Divine Master, especially not a Divine Sovereign or Divine Master from the Brahma Monarch God Realm.

If the Wood Spirit clan leader, before his death, truly identified his attacker based on the color of their profound energy, then... the conclusion reached by the Wood Spirit clan might have been wrong from the very beginning.

Yun Che noticed a change in Qianye Ying'er's gaze and suddenly asked, "Have you found anything else?"

Qianye Ying'er said, "You mentioned earlier that the incident happened fifteen years ago. That timing reminds me of a minor matter I should have completely forgotten by now."

Yun Che gave her a questioning look.

Qianye Ying'er paced slowly, unhurriedly saying, "Roughly fifteen years ago, Nan Wansheng visited the Brahma Monarch God Realm. Hmph, that old scoundrel frequently crosses divine regions to come here, like an annoying fly. Unless there was a way to use him, I would always avoid him whenever I heard he was coming."

"That time, however, was slightly different. He didn't come alone as usual but brought three people. Two were Divine Master Realm Southern Sea elders, and their purpose was to guard the third person."

"Nan Wansheng's son, Nan Qianqiu."

Yun Che heard that name for the first time.

"This Nan Qianqiu was Nan Wansheng's youngest son. Although not born of his main wife, his talent stood out among his otherwise useless children. He had already reached the Divine King Realm at just eighty years old and had just received recognition from the Southern Sea divine power, which had been vacant for two millennia and was the most difficult to inherit."

At this point, Qianye Ying'er paused, looking at Yun Che.

As expected, Yun Che's gaze gradually turned cold.

The Southern Sea's son...

Fifteen years ago...

Divine King Realm cultivation...

Golden profound energy, time, cultivation, relatively young age, and limited experience... Everything perfectly matched Qianye Ying'er's previous deductions!

Withdrawing her gaze, Qianye Ying'er continued, "At the time, I thought Nan Wansheng's visit was to show off his son to Qianye Fantian. After all, Qianye Fantian used to frequently allude to him having no suitable successor. It was also, incidentally, to let Nan Qianqiu get an early understanding of the King Realms in the Eastern Divine Region. But I was simply too lazy to ask what his true purpose was then."

Given Qianye Ying'er's personality back then, a mere Nan Qianqiu wouldn't even qualify to be remembered by her, let alone for her to inquire about his affairs.

"In the past few days, I've inquired about the events of that year from the various Brahma Kings. The first answer I received was quite a surprise. When Nan Wansheng arrived that time, the very first thing he asked Qianye Fantian about was Wood Spirits."

Yun Che's brows furrowed deeply as he said coldly, "Elaborate."

Qianye Ying'er crossed her arms over her chest, looking straight ahead as she continued, "A large part of Nan Qianqiu's cultivation was externally stimulated and built upon elixirs. After reaching the Divine King Realm, his foundation was very unstable, and his profound energy wasn't pure enough. Therefore, to perfectly receive the Southern Sea God power inheritance in the shortest possible time, one essential step was to purify his profound energy."

Her golden eyes turned, and her voice softened: "And for that, a large quantity of Wood Spirit Orbs would be needed."

Yun Che's brows grew heavier, and his hands slowly clenched.

The tragedy of the Royal Wood Spirit clan was a minor incident in the vast God Realm. All Yun Che knew about it came from a few fragmented words from the Wood Spirit people.

No one would have imagined that such a "minor matter," especially one occurring in the Eastern Divine Region, would involve the foremost King Realm of the Southern Divine Region.

A coincidence?

Profound energy, time, individuals, cultivation, motive... How could there be such a perfectly fitting coincidence in the world?

"If the Southern Sea God Realm wanted Wood Spirit Orbs, there were countless ways to get them. Why come to the Eastern Divine Region? And personally..." Yun Che asked, his voice cold.

"Heh, the reason is simple," Qianye Ying'er sneered. "Among the four Divine Regions, Wood Spirits have long been extinct in the Southern Divine Region. The Western Divine Region has the most traces of them, but I doubt the Southern Sea would have the guts to do such dirty work there."

"To purify profound energy, the most efficient method uses Wood Spirit Orbs that still retain a trace of life aura—that is, freshly 'harvested' ones. Naturally, Nan Qianqiu would need to come along. However, this is still a secondary reason. At that time, Nan Wansheng likely intended to establish him as the Crown Prince, and the requirements would be thousands of times stricter than before. Matters concerning his self-interest, regardless of size, had to be personally acquired by him."

Having once been chosen by Qianye Fantian as his successor, she understood this perfectly. Ordinary imperial princes and princesses could enjoy boundless resources and glory, but a God Emperor's successor... their will, methods, and cunning had to undergo countless brutal trials.

For the future Southern Sea Crown Prince, personally acquiring the Wood Spirit Orbs he needed was an incredibly minor experience in his life's trials. He probably forgot all about it by now.

"As for Nan Wansheng coming along, it was just an excuse to see me," Qianye Ying'er said contemptuously.

Yun Che pondered briefly, then suddenly asked, "So, was the information regarding the Wood Spirits' whereabouts... leaked by the Brahma Monarch God Realm to the Southern Sea?"

"How could that be?" Qianye Ying'er scoffed. "Though Wood Spirit Orbs are valuable, they wouldn't catch Qianye Fantian's eye. Besides, hunting Wood Spirits is a forbidden act. Cunning as he was, why would he leave an unnecessary small handle in the Southern Sea's hands over such a minor matter?"

"Furthermore, you only told me the time before, not the star realm where the Wood Spirit clan leader was killed. In the past few days, by tracking Nan Qianqiu's movements back then, I learned of a place. I wonder if it's the same place you know."

Yun Che had indeed not told Qianye Ying'er the location where the Wood Spirit clan leader met his misfortune. It wasn't that he forgot; it was that he simply didn't know. When Qingmu described it back then, he only mentioned it was a "star realm very close to a certain King Realm."

For years, he and He Ling had been convinced that the culprit was from the Brahma Monarch God Realm. As it would touch upon the most painful memories, he naturally never asked He Ling about the details of that year.

Qianye Ying'er's gaze turned westward as she slowly said, "The Gazing Heavens Realm, a mid-level star realm of moderate size. It's surprisingly close to here."

"He Ling," Yun Che asked, focusing his thoughts, "Is this the place?"

If even this location matched, then no matter how incredible, there would be no other possibility.

Silence. For a long time, he received no answer from He Ling. All he could sense was her soul, trembling violently in pain and sorrow.

Silence was the answer.

From initial doubt to astonishment as each detail fit perfectly, it was now an undeniable fact.

Glancing at Yun Che's expression, Qianye Ying'er no longer had any doubts. She suddenly let out a low chuckle and said, "Brahma Monarch and Southern Sea have been secretly vying for years. I never expected Brahma Monarch's biggest setback would actually be due to a mere Nan Qianqiu!"

Among the countless races in the vast God Realm, though the Wood Spirits' origin involved the Creation Gods, their power was undoubtedly weak. Even their clan leader only possessed cultivation at the Divine Spirit Realm.

Weak, yet possessing precious treasures, they would undoubtedly suffer cruel bullying and hunting in this world where the strong prey on the weak. Had it not been for the explicit prohibition, Wood Spirits would surely have long been extinct.

No one knew when the Wood Spirit clan leader of that generation died, nor did anyone truly care. Even less would they have imagined that the death of this seemingly insignificant clan leader from a weak race would intertwine with the fates of two "foremost King Realms."

And until his death, Qianye Fantian never knew that Brahma Monarch had unwittingly taken the blame for the Southern Sea—a seemingly minor matter, yet with incredibly vast consequences.

"Southern Sea... Nan Qianqiu." Yun Che murmured, and a terrifying black light slowly gathered in his eyes.

He Ling's soul fluctuations still hadn't ceased; instead, they were becoming increasingly erratic. Yun Che's heart tightened. Disregarding greeting Qianye Ying'er, he quickly submerged his consciousness into the Sky Poison Pearl.

Inside the Sky Poison Pearl, He Ling sat with her knees drawn up, her head buried deeply in her lap. Sensing Yun Che's arrival, she slowly raised her head, then somewhat flustered, stood up to greet him: "Master..."

Her eyes trembled, unfocused and blurry, carrying a heartbreaking wistfulness.

Without a word, Yun Che stepped forward and gently embraced her.

Resting against Yun Che's chest, He Ling closed her eyes. Her shoulders gradually began to tremble, and soft sobs escaped her lips: "I... I killed the wrong person... killed... so many people... I..."

"No, you didn't kill the wrong people," Yun Che gently stroked her back, whispering in her ear, "The Brahma Monarch God Realm was the biggest obstacle to our conquest of the Eastern Divine Region. If not for you, we couldn't have taken control of the Eastern Divine Region so quickly. Similarly, if not for your efforts, allowing us to control the Brahma Monarch God Realm early, we wouldn't know the truth now."

"Now, both my goal and yours have advanced significantly. This was accomplished by you, and only you could have achieved such a remarkable outcome," Yun Che said with a gentle smile in her ear. "So, you don't need to be sad at all; you should feel happy and proud instead."

These brief words slowly transformed the chill in He Ling's soul into a deepening warmth. Her shoulders stopped trembling, and her hands quietly wrapped around Yun Che, holding him tightly. Still tearful, she murmured, "Mm... I'll listen... to Master..."

At that moment, the voice of a Burning Moon Divine Envoy suddenly reached Yun Che's ears:

"Reporting to the Devil Master, a Southern Sea envoy requests an audience."

The words "Southern Sea" made Yun Che frown sharply.

He gave He Ling a comforting look, withdrew his consciousness from the Sky Poison Pearl, and said directly, "Let him come in."

"What perfect timing," Qianye Ying'er said, glancing southward. "It seems that after witnessing the fates of the Brahma Monarch God Realm and the Moon God Realm, Nan Wansheng truly couldn't sit still."

Yun Che did not respond, his expression cold and stern.

Although everything fit together perfectly, a guess was still just a guess... The Southern Sea, however, could certainly provide him with the most definitive answer.

Soon, a man dressed in golden robes, with an extraordinary bearing, was led in by a Burning Moon Divine Envoy. Seeing Yun Che, he bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Devil Master. Congratulations on dominating the Eastern Divine Region and rewriting the history of the God Realm in just half a month."

Yun Che narrowed his eyes at him. "Are those your master's exact words?"

"Yes," the Southern Sea envoy replied, neither humble nor arrogant. Then, extending both hands, he produced an invitation radiating a special golden light: "I am here on behalf of my King, the Southern Sea God Emperor, to formally invite the Devil Master to attend the enthronement ceremony of the Southern Sea Crown Prince. My King personally stated that should the Devil Master grace us with your presence, it would be a great honor for the ceremony."

Yun Che's eyebrow twitched slightly. With a flick of his wrist, the invitation appeared in his hand.

Time: Seven days later.

Newly appointed Crown Prince...

Nan Qianqiu!

Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er exchanged a silent glance.

A cold, eerie smile flashed across Yun Che's lips. He put away the invitation and said with a faint smile, "Go back and tell your master that this Devil Master will certainly be there on time."

The Southern Sea envoy was visibly stunned.

Although far away in the Southern Divine Region, even if they didn't know the full picture of what was happening in the Eastern Divine Region, they knew most of it.

In just half a month, blood had stained the skies of the Eastern Divine Region, and the fates of the King Realms were each more tragic than the last. Yun Che's cruelty and ruthlessness, even as mere rumors, were enough to send shivers down one's spine.

He had come prepared to be brutally annihilated by Yun Che, so he was astonished to receive such a mild response.

After a moment of stupefaction, he bowed and said, "I will return to report. My King greatly anticipates the Devil Master's presence and will surely be overjoyed upon hearing your reply."