Chapter 1781: 狂魔(下)

Facing Yun Che's words and direct gaze, Nan Qianqiu's blood instantly froze. Subconsciously, he glanced sideways at the Southern Sea God Emperor.

The Southern Sea God Emperor, instead of speaking for him when their eyes met, merely frowned slightly.

Nan Qianqiu's heart tightened. He quickly composed himself, and when he faced Yun Che again, his gaze was calm and unperturbed: "Regarding the Devil Master's inquiry, Qianqiu will certainly speak without reservation."

"Very good." Yun Che's eyelids lowered slightly, his voice subtly deepening: "Southern Sea Crown Prince, a while ago, this Devil Master happened to hear that before you inherited the Divine Power of the Southern Sea, you specifically traveled to the Eastern Divine Region with your father."

The Southern Sea God Emperor subtly glanced at Qianye Ying'er.

"This Devil Master wishes to ask, what was the purpose of your trip to the Eastern Divine Region?" Yun Che's gaze remained fixed on him. Although it was a question, it seemed to offer no opportunity for refusal.

Nan Qianqiu naturally hadn't forgotten his journey to the Eastern Divine Region before accepting the Southern Sea succession. His expression remained unchanged, but his mind raced as he pondered Yun Che's purpose in asking about it.

His brief silence, however, caused Yun Che's gaze to shift slightly, and his voice grew a few shades darker: "What? Is it perhaps difficult to speak of?"

The crowd's gazes covertly converged. The immense shock from the Ash Dragon God incident was still fresh in their minds. This sudden question from Yun Che was certainly no ordinary matter.

Nan Qianqiu raised his gaze slightly and smiled: "As the Southern Sea Crown Prince, there is nothing I cannot speak of, only those unworthy of listening. Since the Devil Master asks, how could Qianqiu conceal anything?"

He turned slightly to face the crowd, stating calmly and clearly: "After achieving the Divine King Realm, Qianqiu was finally acknowledged by the Divine Power of the Southern Sea, gaining the qualification to become the Southern Sea God. It was from that moment that my father considered making Qianqiu the Crown Prince."

These matters were naturally common knowledge among the high-ranking figures of the Southern Divine Region.

"Indeed, before inheriting the Divine Power of the Southern Sea, Qianqiu specifically traveled to the Eastern Divine Region with my father, for two purposes."

"First, to visit the four God Emperors of the Eastern Divine Region, and also to inform them in advance of the Southern Sea Divine Realm's future successor."

"Second, to seek a large quantity of sufficiently vibrant Wood Spirit Orbs, to purify my primal energy and profound energy, thereby achieving a more perfect inheritance and fusion of the Southern Sea's divine power."

As Nan Qianqiu finished speaking, a violent, almost uncontrollable soul tremor resonated in Yun Che's heart — it was from He Ling.

Nan Qianqiu's straightforwardness was somewhat unexpected for Yun Che. A slight smile appeared on his face: "Who hunted these Wood Spirit Orbs?"

"Naturally, Qianqiu hunted them myself."

The moment Yun Che's words fell, Nan Qianqiu immediately responded without any hesitation, his gaze unwavering: "If I had to rely on others for this, how could Qianqiu be worthy of my father's expectations?"

Nan Qianqiu knew that Yun Che's sudden inquiry meant he already knew everything. When he had traveled to the Eastern Divine Region with the Southern Sea God Emperor back then, the first King Realm they visited was the Brahma Monarch God Realm. Given the Brahma Monarch God Realm's capabilities, it was not at all surprising for them to know his detailed whereabouts from that time.

Now, with Qianye Ying'er by Yun Che's side, and the Brahma Monarch God Emperor essentially in Yun Che's grasp, Nan Qianqiu, after a brief consideration, chose not only to conceal nothing but to respond with utmost directness and candor.

Moreover, that trip to the Eastern Divine Region was, for him, a very minor affair.

The Southern Sea God Emperor had remained silent, inwardly quite pleased with Nan Qianqiu's composure when facing Yun Che—after all, Yun Che, who had just massacred the Ash Dragon God, possessed an oppressive aura no less potent than any current God Emperor.

"A good answer." Yun Che's expression and words were hard to read as he continued: "To this Devil Master's knowledge, you had quite a fruitful harvest in a small star realm near the Eternal Heaven Realm, is that correct?"

With Qianye Ying'er by his side, Nan Qianqiu was not surprised that Yun Che knew this much. After a brief thought, he said: "The Devil Master's information is correct. Although Qianqiu has forgotten the name of that star realm, it was indeed near the Eternal Heaven Realm."

Yun Che: "..."

"Qianqiu has always known that Wood Spirits are extremely rare, and I expected my journey to the Eastern Region to be quite arduous. But it seemed to be a gift from the heavens; in a small star realm, I found nearly a thousand Wood Spirits together. Naturally, I happily took them, and in a short while, I obtained many times more vibrant Wood Spirit Orbs than needed."

"Furthermore," Nan Qianqiu continued, "the two leading Wood Spirits not only possessed high cultivation but also had a distinct aura different from the others. Upon asking my father later, I learned they might have been Royal Wood Spirits, thought to be extinct. Unfortunately, Qianqiu's knowledge was shallow back then, and I didn't give them proper attention; they perished by self-detonating their Wood Spirit Orbs."

As he spoke, he lightly shook his head, saying: "Considering the recorded preciousness of Royal Wood Spirit Orbs, even now, I cannot help but feel regret."

Yun Che's heartstrings trembled… It was a soul tremor from He Ling.

It was a perfect match, fitting so precisely that not a single shred of doubt could be entertained.

The tragedy of the Wood Spirit Race, the nightmare that caused He Ling to lose everything… The instigator was not the Brahma Monarch God Realm, as they had initially believed, but rather the Southern Sea Divine Realm in the distant Southern Divine Region, a place they hadn't even remotely suspected before!

Yun Che's thoughts turned, silently soothing He Ling's emotions. A faint smile on his face, he said to Nan Qianqiu: "You answered quite directly. Could it be that you, the Southern Sea Crown Prince, never knew that hunting Wood Spirits is a taboo abhorred by all living beings?"

"If ordinary beings hunt Wood Spirits, it is indeed a crime despised by the world," Nan Qianqiu replied. "But are you and I ordinary beings?"

Looking at Yun Che, he spoke clearly: "The Devil Master returned with might from the Northern Divine Region. With a single command, blood rained down upon the Eastern Divine Region, countless innocent lives were extinguished, and the Devil Master's terrifying renown was forged. Now, throughout this realm, who does not know the name of you, the Northern Region Devil Master?"

"And I, Nan Qianqiu, by using the lives of mere hundreds of Wood Spirits, have forged a more perfect Southern Sea Crown Prince and, in the future, an even more perfect Southern Sea God Emperor. Between these, which is greater: 'merit' or 'sin'?"

"If it is 'merit,' then the deaths of those Wood Spirits are honorable. If it is 'sin'..." He looked at Yun Che with a half-smile: "Qianqiu's sin, compared to the Devil Master's, is insignificant."

Yun Che did not speak.

Nan Qianqiu's words moved everyone.

From what they had heard and observed, Yun Che seemed to intend to suppress Nan Qianqiu using the matter of hunting Wood Spirits. After all, once exposed, the hunting of Wood Spirits would undeniably be a blemish.

Yet Nan Qianqiu, without any concealment or evasion, advanced rather than retreated, lightly resolving the issue. And he did so while facing Yun Che, who had just instilled terror and awe in all the God Emperors!

Their gazes toward Nan Qianqiu instantly changed significantly.

"Hehe," the Southern Sea God Emperor chuckled faintly: "Qianqiu, do not be impudent. You are still very young; how can you compare yourself to the Devil Master?"

Nan Qianqiu quickly bowed, saying: "Father is right to admonish me. Qianqiu spoke out of turn, and I hope the Devil Master will be magnanimous."

Yun Che also revealed a knowing, faint smile: "Very good. Truly worthy of being the successor chosen by the Southern Sea God Emperor. Such rhetoric and sharpness are indeed remarkable."

"The Devil Master flatters me," the Southern Sea God Emperor said with a chuckle. "If Qianqiu possessed even a tenth of the Devil Master's capability and charisma, I would willingly abdicate immediately."

*Dong*—

A long rumble came from outside. The Northern Prison Sea King whispered: "Your Majesty, the time has come."

"Good!" The Southern Sea God Emperor stood up: "Raise the divine altar for my son, Qianqiu!"

His eyes gleamed with an unusual light, and his face was flushed, as if the horrifying scene of the Ash Dragon God's recent demise had not affected him at all.

*Rumble, rumble, rumble*—

Amidst the rumbling, a golden tower, ten miles wide and wreathed in thick divine light, shot up into the sky, piercing through the clouds in an instant, reaching tens of thousands of feet high.

Atop the tower, a mass of golden light blotted out the sky, almost covering the entire Southern Sea Royal City.

From every corner of the Southern Sea Royal City, and even throughout the vast Southern Sea Divine Realm, one could see the towering shadow and the dazzling golden light. Countless Southern Sea profound practitioners knelt in worship, looking up to witness this grand event concerning the future of the Southern Sea Divine Realm.

"Hahahaha!" The Southern Sea God Emperor burst into laughter, striding out first and proclaiming loudly: "The divine altar has risen! Esteemed guests, please ascend the altar with me and witness this grand occasion of my Southern Sea!"

"Heh, quite a display," Qianye Ying'er remarked, withdrawing her gaze and speaking coldly: "I've heard that the Southern Sea Divine Tower is only raised when previous God Emperors of the Southern Sea are crowned. Today is merely the investiture of a Crown Prince; is the Southern Sea God Emperor not afraid his Crown Prince cannot bear it?"

"Hehe, indeed, previous Crown Prince investitures have never seen such a grand display," the Southern Sea God Emperor replied with a smile. "But my son will bear any honor, hahahaha!"

These words not only revealed his immense arrogance but also demonstrated that he was far more satisfied and valued Nan Qianqiu as a successor than he let on.

"The Southern Sea Divine Tower?" Yun Che looked up, scanning the thousand-layered tower. Its summit served as an altar, not only enveloped in divine light but also possessing an indescribably vast and majestic aura.

"Esteemed guests, please!"

With a raise of his hand, the Southern Sea God Emperor ascended first, floating straight towards the divine altar at the tower's summit. Nan Qianqiu, along with the Sea Kings and Sea Gods, followed closely behind.

The Shitian God Emperor, Xuanyuan Emperor, and Ziwei Emperor exchanged glances, then also ascended into the air.

Qianye Ying'er was correct; the Southern Sea Divine Tower was fully raised only when a Southern Sea God Emperor was crowned, used to offer sacrifices to the heavens and proclaim to the world. There had never been a precedent for raising the tower for a Crown Prince's investiture.

They harbored doubts but said nothing more.

"Let's go!" Yun Che said faintly, slowly ascending into the air.

Qianye Wugu's ancient eyes swept over the tower. After a brief silence, he transmitted a message to Yun Che: "Devil Master, the aura of this tower is slightly different from what this old man knows. There might be something unusual; it would be wise to be cautious."

Yun Che, however, showed no reaction, completely ignoring the warning.

Qianye Wugu said no more at that moment.

While the Southern Sea Divine Realm was holding its grand Crown Prince investiture, the Dragon God Realm in the Western Divine Region was experiencing perhaps its most intense tremors ever.

In various regions of the Dragon God Realm, the eight Dragon Gods simultaneously felt a violent tremor in their dragon souls, and terrifying divine light, like exploding stars, burst forth from their dragon eyes.

In the Southern Sea Royal City, countless people had personally witnessed the tragic death of the Ash Dragon God. This earth-shattering news was now spreading rapidly to every corner of the vast Divine Realm.

Stepping onto the divine altar at the tower's summit, one was bathed in golden light. This golden light originated from the purest Southern Sea divine power, each wisp containing an unimaginable grandeur and might.

On this day, countless people in the Southern Sea Divine Realm were looking up, witnessing the birth of the future Southern Sea God Emperor. Yet, only a select few were qualified to step onto this divine altar at the tower's summit.

Within the Southern Sea, only the Southern Sea God Emperor, the Sea Kings, and the Sea Gods were qualified; even the numerous Divine Master Elders, Imperial Princes, and Princesses were not.

"Qianqiu," the Southern Sea God Emperor said, "Today's event is not merely a ceremony. After today, the burden your life carries will be far more than just your father's expectations."

"Your son understands." Nan Qianqiu nodded, calm as the wind, devoid of joy or sorrow, prompting sighs of admiration from those who witnessed him.

"Before the ceremony, first go worship our ancestors. Feihong, Zheng Tian, you two stand guard on either side." "Understood." The Eastern Prison Sea King and Northern Prison Sea King acknowledged the command.

Nan Qianqiu knelt in the center of the divine altar, silently paying respects to his ancestors. The Eastern Prison Sea King and Northern Prison Sea King quietly stood guard behind him, though their eyes flickered with subtly unusual glints.

Yun Che stood at the edge of the divine altar, his dark eyes fixed on the scene below, seemingly unconcerned with the upcoming ceremony.

"The Dragon God Realm must be quite lively right now," Qianye Ying'er said slowly, standing beside Yun Che. "I'm curious what you plan to do next? Don't tell me... you're truly going to clash head-on with the Dragon God Realm?"

"It's merely the beginning," Yun Che said coldly, without directly answering.

"Considering your personality, your actions don't surprise me at all. But if we consider rationality, I'd rather you listen more to Chi Wuyao." Her voice paused, and she narrowed her eyes, smiling: "However, it's already come to this, so it doesn't matter anymore. The Northern Divine Region is merely a tool, and spending so much time with Chi Wuyao, I've almost forgotten that fact without realizing it."

Yun Che: "..."

"From the divine altar, the entire Southern Sea is within one's grasp. How does this feeling strike the Devil Master?"

The Southern Sea God Emperor's voice drifted over, and with a flicker of golden light, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Yun Che, gazing down at the Southern Sea beneath their feet.

Yun Che didn't turn his head, responding coldly: "Does the Southern Sea God Emperor have something to say?"

The Southern Sea God Emperor chuckled, then suddenly asked: "In the Devil Master's eyes, how many categories do the myriad beings of this world fall into?"

"Those who deserve to die, and those who do not," Yun Che answered, his voice remarkably calm, yet imbued with an inexplicable chill.

Qianye Ying'er: "..."

"Such an answer indeed suits the renown of you, the Northern Region Devil Master," the Southern Sea God Emperor said with a smile. "Then, does the Devil Master know how many categories of people exist in this King's eyes?"

"Heh," Yun Che chuckled softly: "There are only a handful of people in this world who can truly catch the Southern Sea God Emperor's eye. Do these few still need to be divided into various ranks?"

"Four categories," the Southern Sea God Emperor stated, continuing regardless: "Everyone says that although I am a God Emperor, I am arrogant, extravagant, dissolute, unrestrained, and disdainful of the world, utterly lacking the demeanor of an emperor. Little do they know, how I present myself depends on the person."

"The first category consists of weaklings who can be easily suppressed. These individuals are nominally on a similar level, but they would never dare offend me. Even if oppressed or bullied by me, as long as the final bottom line isn't crossed, they will silently endure it. In front of them, I can be as arrogant and unrestrained as I please, without needing to hold back or observe any taboos."

As he finished speaking, he subtly glanced at the three Southern Region Emperors in the distance, not bothering to conceal the direction of his gaze from them.

"The second category comprises cunning heroes. These individuals possess power and methods no weaker than my own, and their schemes are unfathomable. In their presence, I am wary, but I never need to restrain myself, because they are deeply calculating and prioritize benefit, thus they will not easily turn hostile. However, if they find a suitable opportunity, they will unhesitatingly push me to a desperate situation."

"Qianye Fantian?" Yun Che said indifferently.

"Precisely. In this generation, only he is worthy of those two words in my eyes," the Southern Sea God Emperor said. "Unfortunately, he fell so easily into the Devil Master's hands."

"Even in front of these two types of people, I never curb my arrogance and wildness. But there are two other types of people who force me to swallow my pride and back down."

"First, there are the inviolable rulers. In front of the Dragon Monarch, I would never act presumptuously," the Southern Sea God Emperor stated quite directly.

"Second, there are lunatics." The Southern Sea God Emperor's lips curved slightly: "Lunatics know no fear and disregard consequences. At the slightest provocation, they will go completely mad, fighting with utter disregard for their lives, willing to burn themselves to ashes just to splatter their opponent with blood."

"Therefore, no one wishes to provoke a lunatic. And if one encounters a powerful lunatic, then even I would choose to pacify them and back down."

A cold wind swept through, suddenly chilling the surrounding space by several degrees.

"Is the lunatic the Southern Sea God Emperor speaks of, this Devil Master?" Yun Che asked faintly.

"No, you don't belong to any of these four categories." The Southern Sea God Emperor shook his head, slowly turning to fix his eyes, glinting with a dull golden light, on Yun Che: "This King did indeed previously believe you, the Northern Region Devil Master, to be a lunatic, which is why I willingly retreated three steps when facing you."

Yun Che's gaze also slowly turned, meeting the Southern Sea God Emperor's. With interest, he asked: "If not a lunatic, then what would I be?"

The Southern Sea God Emperor's eyes narrowed, and a seemingly calm, faint smile touched his lips as he slowly articulated: "A mad dog."

Yun Che and the Southern Sea God Emperor's conversation was not loud, but everyone on the divine altar was an extraordinary individual, and they heard every single word clearly.

The moment the words "mad dog" were uttered, the entire space above the divine altar seemed to instantly freeze. Everyone, from their gaze to their breath to their blood flow, momentarily stiffened.

The three God Emperors, who had been looking in different directions, abruptly turned to face the Southern Sea God Emperor and Yun Che, their faces etched with profound astonishment.

Yun Che showed no anger whatsoever. On his face, faintly shrouded in dark energy, hardly a ripple of emotion surfaced. A hint of a smile even appeared at the corner of his lips: "I wonder, what is the difference between a lunatic and a mad dog?"

"Simple," the Southern Sea God Emperor replied with a smile: "Even if a lunatic is completely insane, they still retain a shred of humanity and rationality. There are many ways to calm and pacify them."

"But if a mad dog wants to bite someone..." The Southern Sea God Emperor shook his head: "Who can stop it?"

"So?"

"Therefore," the Southern Sea God Emperor's eyes narrowed into two thin slits, "a lunatic can be appeased, but a mad dog must be... utterly put down, by any means necessary!"