Chapter 1773: Journey to Nanming

“Chanyi,” Yun Che suddenly asked, “Do you think I should have friends?”

“No,” Nanhuang Chanyi replied, almost without hesitation. After a moment of thought, she added, “You are destined to be a king. So, it’s not a matter of whether you should, but rather, in my opinion, no one is worthy of being your friend.”

“Is that so?” Yun Che smiled, glancing at his palm as he murmured, “That seems about right. In this world, who indeed is worthy of being my friend?”

This statement, brimming with ultimate arrogance and aloofness, sounded perfectly natural to Nanhuang Chanyi.

“You remain here.”

Yun Che gave the instruction, already preparing to leave. His primary reason for coming was to see Mu Xuanyin. Resolving Huo Poyun's matter was merely a side objective. With the Southern Sea events imminent and the Western Divine Region acting ambiguously, he had no intention of staying long.

“Yes,” Chanyi acknowledged, then asked, “Devil Master, are we to integrate the forces of the Eastern Divine Region next?”

“No,” Yun Che said, “we go to resolve the Southern Sea.”

“!?” Chanyi was visibly startled, her brow slightly furrowed. “Might this action be too hasty? The Southern Divine Region’s true strength is unknown, and they must be fully prepared now. Perhaps it would be better to swiftly integrate the Eastern Divine Region’s forces, using Eastern practitioners to probe, their bodies serving as stepping stones.”

However, she immediately added, “The Devil Master surely has his own plans for this action; Chanyi has spoken unnecessarily.”

Yun Che smiled eerily. “You are absolutely right. And so, the Southern Sea Divine Realm will surely think the same, won’t they?”

Chanyi was slightly taken aback.

“Behind thorough preparation lies the risk of prolonged nights and unexpected troubles. Since the Southern Sea is so eager to test my resolve, how could I not grant their wish?”

With a cold smile, Yun Che’s figure vanished into the wind and snow.

From the perspective of the Northern Divine Region, the goal should be a battle that maximizes gains and minimizes losses.

However, his stance was ultimately different from that of the Northern Divine Region. While not as extreme as it once was, everything in the Northern Divine Region remained a tool to him; this had never changed.

He had become the Devil Master of the Northern Region simply to better wield this tool.

What he truly desired was always revenge, not some imperial dominion!

His own hatred, He Ling’s hatred... returning to the Snow Song Realm deeply stirred those painful memories, and coupled with the timely invitation from the Southern Sea, how could his fires of hatred be suppressed?

On the way back to the Brahma Heaven Realm, Yun Che suddenly asked Chi Wuyao a question: “Was Huo Poyun’s life ruined because of me?”

Chi Wuyao glanced at him with slight surprise, then pursed her lips into a smile and said, “So outwardly ruthless and merciless, yet deep down, you still care somewhat.”

“You’re thinking too much,” Yun Che said indifferently. “I only learned today that if not for him back then, I would have died by Luo Changsheng’s hand. I absolutely do not wish to owe anyone a favor like that.”

“Didn’t sparing his life today even the score?” Chi Wuyao asked with a faint smile.

“...Perhaps,” Yun Che replied faintly.

“He gained fame across the world at a young age and received the fortune of entering the Brahma Heaven Divine Realm. Now, he is the Flame God Realm King; his life can hardly be described as ‘ruined’,” Chi Wuyao said. “It’s just a pity that his life has been too smooth, unlike yours, which has seen so many trials and brushes with death. In the three thousand years of Brahma Heaven, his cultivation has grown, but he has never truly faced hardship. His mental state was destined to remain unseasoned, and then, at the most crucial moment of his life, he met you.”

Shaking her head, Chi Wuyao smiled again. “However, you don’t need to worry about him. People always grow. In this world, there is no other point of reference like you. If he can completely overcome this ‘tribulation’ in his heart, he will rarely encounter any major setbacks in his mental state in the future.”

“Speaking of which…” she suddenly changed the subject, “You didn’t take Bingyun with you.”

“She refused,” Yun Che said, cold light flickering in his eyes. “Besides, there really wasn’t much need.”

Though only for an instant, Chi Wuyao still perceived the fleeting murderous aura. Her brows twitched slightly, and she said, “I’ll accompany you on this trip to the Southern Sea.”

“No need,” Yun Che refused without hesitation. “The Dragon Monarch vanished inexplicably, and the entire Western Divine Region is eerily silent. If you remain in the Eastern Divine Region, I can act without any worries.”

“Moreover…” His voice paused, then Yun Che’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling light. “This time, the fewer people, the better.”

Chi Wuyao thought for a moment, then smiled and simply said, “Alright.”

Upon returning to the Brahma Heaven Realm, Yun Che finally summoned the Six Star Gods.

During the days Yun Che was traveling to and from the Snow Song Realm, they had waited outside the realm, not daring to leave by even half a step. They harbored no complaints either; they knew perfectly well what had transpired in the past and were fully aware of how they might be treated.

Led by the Heavenly Jade Star God Zi Xuan, the Six Star Gods—Heavenly Jade, Heavenly Demon, Heavenly Flame, Heavenly Charm, Heavenly Sun, and Heavenly Soul—knelt before Yun Che. As Star Gods, they would only need to bow when facing Xing Juekong. But given the current situation, having come here, they knew what posture they must adopt.

“You actually have the audacity to appear before me,” Yun Che said, lowering his gaze, his voice devoid of emotion. “Wouldn’t it be better to flee to the Western Divine Region like that old Brahma Heaven dog, and live as a pack of stray dogs?”

Zi Xuan bowed her head and said, “The Star God Realm originated in the Eastern Divine Region; whether in life or death, we will not abandon the Eastern Divine Region.”

“So, you’ve come here to face death?” Yun Che cast a cold glance.

Zi Xuan let out a soft sigh and said, “We are willing to pledge all the power of the Star God Realm to serve under the Devil Master. Although the Star God Realm has largely withered and is not what it once was, it still retains considerable residual strength, which will surely aid the Devil Master. We hope the Devil Master will grant us this.”

Even a starving camel is bigger than a horse; though the Star God Realm had withered to this extent, it still possessed Six Star Gods and seventeen Divine Master elders, a force no power could underestimate. This was also their final reliance.

Zi Xuan did not say that they came to surrender according to the Star God Emperor’s will. Others might not know how Yun Che died in the Star God Realm and how Jasmine transformed into an Evil Infant, but they knew it perfectly well.

Therefore, Yun Che’s bone-deep hatred for Xing Juekong made it absolutely impossible for him to be taken in. Xing Juekong’s declaration in the Brahma Heaven projection could only have been made under duress or control.

Zi Xuan also did not inquire about Xing Juekong’s whereabouts or his fate. Since he was already in Yun Che’s hands, his end was foreseeable.

“Sounds good. After all, who wouldn’t want tools that deliver themselves to their doorstep?” Yun Che’s lips curled slightly, his words extremely grating, causing the eyes of the five Star Gods other than Zi Xuan to subtly shift, yet no one reacted.

Before they decided to come, Zi Xuan had already prepared them psychologically.

“But before that,” Yun Che’s tone shifted, “shouldn’t you give me a reason… not to kill you?”

Before his voice faded, a murderous aura accompanied by immense power descended, instantly chilling them to the bone.

Zi Xuan calmly said, “As Star Gods, the Star God Emperor’s command, right or wrong, must be obeyed. It will be the same when we are under the Devil Master.”

“Since a master’s command must be obeyed, then you must also bear your master’s crimes, correct?” Yun Che squinted.

“...Yes,” Zi Xuan said softly. “If the Devil Master wishes us to die, we have nothing to say and will certainly not resist. But rather than atoning with death, we hope to keep our lives and our Star God divine power to make amends.”

“Not only for the Devil Master, but also out of shame towards Princess Jasmine and Princess Caizhi. They surely would not wish to see the Star God lineage vanish. We implore the Devil Master to grant this.”

Having spoken, Zi Xuan slowly closed her eyes, seemingly awaiting the final judgment.

A terrifying silence fell. Yun Che slowly spoke, “You were already dead. Do you know who allowed you to live until now?”

“We know,” Zi Xuan replied. After the Northern Divine Region’s invasion, Brahma Heaven, Moon God, and Brahma Monarch all suffered immense calamities. Only the most withered Star God Realm, which Yun Che also hated immensely, remained untouched by the devil calamity... It was only when they personally witnessed Qianye Fantian leading the Brahma Kings begging Yun Che for mercy that they fully understood it was Caizhi’s sword that saved them.

The one who had the most right to resent them had, on the contrary, saved them. This was also what led Zi Xuan to make today’s decision.

Even if she were to truly die here today, she would have no regrets in her heart.

“Whose grace allowed your lives to be spared? For whom will you live from now on? I hope you never forget this for a single moment for the rest of your lives... Do you understand?!”

These words finally spared their lives. Zi Xuan showed no excitement or joy; she bowed deeply and said, “Thank you, Devil Master, for granting this.”

“Devil Empress,” Yun Che said, “choose a suitable person to take over the Star God Realm.”

“No need,” Chi Wuyao shook her head. “Wait for her to return. She is the only suitable Star God Master.”

“...” Yun Che slightly raised his head, gazing into the distance. The image of his last encounter with Caizhi surfaced in his mind: Caizhi, where are you exactly? Why, even though you’ve returned to the Eastern Divine Region, do you still refuse to see me?

Have you still not forgiven me...?

Yun Che silently assented to Chi Wuyao’s words, then turned and suddenly whispered, “Tianxiao, are you ready?”

Yan Tianxiao stepped forward and solemnly replied, “Long since prepared.”

“Go.” Yun Che pointed south, giving an extremely simple, decisive, and somewhat sudden command.

“Yes!” Yan Tianxiao responded with equal decisiveness, and a violent black glow suddenly flared in his eyes. He felt his blood already beginning to boil.

A hand suddenly reached out, grasping Yun Che’s wrist, fingers gently tightening. Chi Wuyao’s soft voice came to his ear: “I know I can’t stop you, but you will come back completely unharmed, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Yun Che said. “Long Bai and Zhou Xuzi are still alive, so how could I bear to die!”

A pitch-black profound ark descended from the sky. Yun Che’s figure shifted, landing atop the ark, with Yan Yi, Yan Er, and Yan San following closely behind. With the three Yama Ancestors present, even if Yun Che were a weakling, he could still walk unhindered in any region of the current world.

Without informing Shui Meiyin or greeting Qianye Ying’er, Yun Che stepped onto the dark profound ark and instantly vanished into the distance, heading straight for the far-off Southern Divine Region, a place he had never set foot in.

Chi Wuyao watched Yun Che depart for the Southern Sea so cleanly and swiftly. A soft whisper escaped her lips: “Mu Xuanyin, you’ve had him to yourself for so long; it’s finally your turn to accompany him. How could I not be at ease when he’s with you?”

“He left?” Qianye Ying’er’s figure suddenly appeared at this moment, her brow deeply furrowed as she stared in the direction where Yun Che’s aura vanished… Her lips moved, but she didn’t pursue him.

“Mm,” Chi Wuyao nodded. “He wouldn’t let me follow. Perhaps he wants to fully savor his revenge against the Southern Sea.”

“…” After a long silence, Qianye Ying’er’s figure departed.

“Where are you going?” Chi Wuyao asked.

“Back to Brahma Monarch,” Qianye Ying’er replied absently, then hurried away with Qianye Wugu and Qianye Bingzhu.