Chapter 1792: God Emperor's Choice

"Cai Zhi, why did you come to the Southern Divine Region so early?" Yun Che asked. He probably knew the answer but still wanted to hear it from Cai Zhi herself.

Cai Zhi replied softly, "The Eastern Divine Region was caught off guard by you, and coupled with their vast misconception about the Northern Divine Region, the battle in the Eastern Divine Region shouldn't have needed my help. After the Eastern Divine Region, it would definitely be the Southern Divine Region."

"I just didn't expect it to be so fast," Cai Zhi said, glancing at Yun Che. Her still-youthful face now held a complete indifference and resolve unlike before. "I had intended to subtly instigate internal strife in the Southern Divine Region from the shadows, but you... have already arrived in person, unable to wait."

The Eastern Divine Region had not yet stabilized, and the movements of the Western Divine Region were even harder to predict. His arrival at the Southern Sea Divine Realm this time was indeed "impatient."

"You also deciphered the Southern Sea's Phantasm Sea Profound Array very early on?" Yun Che asked. Suddenly, as if realizing something, his brows twitched slightly.

"Using the power of the Heaven Punishing Sword's inscribed Universe Piercer, it's easy to track the location of the Phantasm Sea Profound Array's other formation eye," Cai Zhi said coldly. "If the Southern Sea Realm were pushed to despair, Nan Wansheng would be the most likely to use the Phantasm Sea Profound Array. If he were to escape into it, he would arrive at his true burial ground."

"Who was waiting outside the array to kill Nan Wansheng?" Yun Che suddenly asked.

"Of course, it was the Primeval..." Cai Zhi stopped mid-sentence, suddenly sensing Yun Che's distinctly unusual gaze, unable to finish her sentence.

"The aura of the Primeval Dragon is unique; if it appeared in the God Realm too early, it would easily be noticed," Yun Che slowly stated. "After all, Nan Wansheng is the foremost person in the Southern Divine Region. Even if he were critically injured and on the verge of death, to kill him in such a short time, among the Primeval Dragon Clan, only the Primeval Dragon Emperor could reliably do it."

"But the Primeval Dragon Emperor has been under your command," he said, looking at Cai Zhi, wondering in his mind, "Who exactly was it?"

"Hmph," Cai Zhi turned her face away. "You don't need to know."

"Uh..." Yun Che squeezed Cai Zhi's palm and smiled, "Alright, alright, then I won't ask."

After Nan Wansheng fled, Nan Guizhong's expression drastically changed three breaths later...

To kill a critically injured Nan Wansheng within three breaths... how many in this world could achieve that?

Cai Zhi didn't want to say, and Yun Che, of course, wouldn't force her, but his mind continued to silently ponder and rule out possibilities.

Returning to the skies above the Southern Sea Royal City, dark smoke still billowed and rose, engulfing the vast sea of blood and countless corpses stretching to the horizon.

Yan Tianxiao had returned. He swiftly stepped forward and bowed, "Reporting to the Devil Master, all remaining Southern Sea remnants have fled outside the realm. We followed your command and did not pursue them further."

"Mm," Yun Che nodded.

Yan Tianxiao glanced at Cai Zhi, who stood beside Yun Che. His lips twitched slightly, but he held back from asking further questions.

Seeing Yun Che and Cai Zhi's hands tightly clasped together, the three Yama Ancestors inwardly groaned.

Another master to serve carefully...

Qianye Ying'er subtly pursed her lips, but didn't say anything to provoke Cai Zhi.

Nan Qianqiu was still held by Yan Yi, his head gripped in his hand.

He had never fully lost consciousness, witnessing Nan Guizhong's self-destruction, watching the Sea Gods die one by one, and seeing the Royal City crumble into a sea of blood... It was a coldness, despair, and terror that defied all description.

Yan Yi's malevolent aura, like countless steel needles, pierced every part of his body. Every moment was worse than death, yet he couldn't struggle, couldn't even let out a desperate groan. Only the pores of his entire body convulsed and contracted violently.

He didn't know why he was still alive... Despite his fear of death, at this moment, he only wished to die quickly and end this dark nightmare.

Cang Shitian, who had been ignored for a long time, suddenly stepped forward at this moment, then knelt on one knee before Yun Che. His head, which bore the prestige of a Divine Emperor, was bowed deeply as he loudly declared, "O Devil Master, I, Cang Shitian, Realm King of the Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm, congratulate the Devil Master on conquering the Southern Sea Realm and descending upon the Southern Divine Region! Cang Shitian is willing to welcome the Devil Master as a Southern Region Divine Emperor and from this day forward pledge allegiance to the Devil Master, at your command. Please accept my devotion."

Had they not heard it with their own ears, no one would have believed such words came from the mouth of a Southern Region Divine Emperor.

Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei's eyes widened simultaneously, and their fingers trembled. As fellow Southern Region Divine Emperors, they felt deeply humiliated.

"Hm?" Yun Che's gaze shifted sideways, giving Cang Shitian a faint look, then he suddenly stepped forward with a kick.

The kick went straight for Cang Shitian's face... a boundary of dignity that no one would allow to be trampled, let alone a Divine Emperor who looked down upon all living beings.

Cang Shitian's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't dodge, even deliberately suppressing his aura.

The kick landed squarely on Cang Shitian's face. Instantly, his nasal bridge collapsed, his front teeth broke, and two streams of blood gushed from his nostrils.

Divine Emperor Shitian's body tumbled several times in the air. When he landed, he still maintained his previous kneeling posture. Allowing the blood to flow freely from his face, he bowed his head and said, "Thank you for the Devil Master's grace."

"Cang... Cang Shitian!" Emperor Xuanyuan pointed at Cang Shitian, his facial muscles twitching, unable to speak for a long time.

For an ordinary mortal to behave this way to cling to life, though despicable, was somewhat understandable. But for Cang Shitian, Divine Emperor Shitian, whose prestige shook the world, to debase himself to such an extent... this could no longer be described merely as "humiliation."

"Heh," Yun Che sneered aloud, "Isn't this the Divine Emperor Shitian of the Southern Divine Region? How did he suddenly turn into a dog?"

Despite such humiliating words, Cang Shitian's expression didn't change. He repeated solemnly, "Since I have resolved to submit to the Devil Master's command, I shall act as a loyal dog and horse."

"Alas," a soft sigh drifted over, from Qianye Wugu.

Even he, who viewed life lightly, could not accept a dignified Divine Emperor suddenly kneeling and losing all dignity like this. He closed his eyes and said, "Fear of death is human nature. But with your status as a Divine Emperor, bearing the honor and disgrace of the Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm, why stoop so low?"

"Heh heh," facing Qianye Wugu's words, Cang Shitian let out a strange, faint laugh. He lifted his head, his gaze quite calm. "A despicable life is always better than a meaningless death. And... how do you know I don't genuinely wish to serve the Devil Master?"

"..." Qianye Wugu slightly frowned, and Yun Che also narrowed his eyes.

"Cang Shitian!" Emperor Ziwei finally couldn't bear it anymore and roared, "You, who fear death and abandon dignity, willingly becoming a dog for another, are no longer fit to be the Emperor of Azure Sea, much less an Emperor of our Southern Region... Bah!"

Emperor Xuanyuan quickly raised a hand to stop Emperor Ziwei's words.

"Heh, heh heh." Cang Shitian chuckled softly, speaking unhurriedly, "Life is truly too dull and boring. For hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of years... I don't even know how long it's been since I found any proper amusement."

"But now, the world has changed colors." Cang Shitian was laughing, his smile devoid of fear or humiliation, but instead laced with a twisted delight. "Following the Devil Master, perhaps we can overturn this world and create a new, completely different one!"

"Is there anything more interesting in this world?!" He suddenly turned his head, his gaze burning as he stared at Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei. "Such an era, such an opportunity, has never existed in the history of the God Realm. This is a gift from heaven; how could I miss it?! Only then will my journey through this dull mortal world not have been in vain, heh... heh heh heh!"

"You..." Emperor Xuanyuan pointed at Cang Shitian, his voice trembling, "You truly... are a madman!"

Cang Shitian's actions were erratic; he never followed common sense or human morality. The God Realm had circulated his "madman" moniker for tens of thousands of years. But only today did everyone truly realize the extent of his madness.

No one knew if these were Cang Shitian's true feelings, but after today's swift destruction of the Southern Sea Realm, anyone... especially the Southern Region Divine Emperors who witnessed everything firsthand, could no longer deny that the Northern Divine Region, led by Devil Master Yun Che, truly had the potential to overturn the world.

Even with the Dragon God Realm's existence!

"Heh heh, bowing to this Devil Master merely because it's 'interesting'? That's truly a poor answer," Yun Che said with a faint sneer. "Cang Shitian, back then outside the Azure Cloud Continent, you were also one of those who attacked me and my master. Do you think this Devil Master will spare you today?"

Cang Shitian met Yun Che's gaze and said softly, "This king has no previous grudges with the Devil Master. What I did then and what I do now are merely about making the most correct choices and decisions."

"After the Devil Master conquers the Southern Region, the next challenge will be the Western Divine Region. Even if the Devil Master's power is overwhelming, I fear you cannot underestimate the Western Divine Region. Therefore, between a Divine Emperor who would fight to the death and a Divine Emperor willing to be a loyal dog, along with the entire Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm... a great being like the Devil Master, even if you hold resentment towards this king, you will surely make the wisest choice."

Yun Che lifted his head proudly, his cold gaze casting downwards, "Are you trying to teach this Devil Master how to do things?"

"How dare I," Cang Shitian said. He raised his palm and grinned slightly, "I just now kicked someone when they were down and severely wounded Nan Wansheng, witnessed by all beings. I've already cut off my own retreat. If the Devil Master is determined to kill me, it wouldn't be too late to do so after draining my usefulness in the battle against the Western Divine Region!"

Yun Che's eyes narrowed a fraction more.

"The Devil Master has rarely set foot in the Southern Region, and the Northern Divine Region's understanding of the Southern Divine Region must be very limited. Now the Devil Master has defeated the Southern Sea Realm, but sweeping across the vast Southern Divine Region will likely be a prolonged endeavor. However, if this king leads the way for you, it will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort, and even if the Western Divine Region makes sudden drastic moves, you can calmly respond."

"..." After his elaborate speech, the gazes of the onlookers towards this mad Divine Emperor showed subtle changes.

"Alas," Qianye Wugu sighed again, then murmured to himself, "Perhaps this old man truly underestimated the junior of Canglan."

Yun Che's lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile, but everyone clearly perceived that his killing intent towards Cang Shitian had suddenly vanished.

He didn't respond to Cang Shitian. Instead, he suddenly turned his head, his dark gaze piercing directly towards Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei in the distance, "What about you two?"

The two Divine Emperors' expressions grew dark and uncertain. Emperor Xuanyuan took a step forward and said gravely, "Devil Master's divine might, Xuanyuan bows in submission."

He took a shallow breath and continued, "As long as the Devil Master does not invade my Xuanyuan Realm, Xuanyuan will absolutely not become an enemy of the Devil Master. For this, Xuanyuan can swear by his sword."

With Xuanyuan leading, Emperor Ziwei felt a great reduction in pressure and followed suit, "My Ziwei Realm also guarantees not to take a single step into the Northern Divine Region proactively!"

With darkness looming, they had no choice but to retreat. For the two great Divine Emperors, this was an extremely helpless and humiliating choice... But at least they were still clinging to the last shred of dignity for their Royal Realm and their status as Divine Emperors, not groveling like Cang Shitian.

"Heh..." In response to the words of Emperors Xuanyuan and Ziwei, Yun Che let out a harsh, cold laugh.

The devilish wind swirled, and his soft laughter was laced with endless scorn. His gaze shifted slightly; though he was looking at the two Divine Emperors, it was as if he was looking down on two utterly despicable and ridiculous ants. "Are you two trying to negotiate with this Devil Master?"

Yun Che's aura and gaze made the two Divine Emperors extremely uncomfortable. Emperor Xuanyuan said gravely, "Devil Master, the Southern Divine Region is the origin of our Xuanyuan and Ziwei Realms, and it is also a place we must protect. With the Master's arrival, our making such a pledge is an unprecedented concession."

Emperor Ziwei continued, "The Devil Master will inevitably face immense pressure from the Western Divine Region at any moment. Two Royal Realms that would fight to the death as enemies, versus two Royal Realms that promise to retreat and not interfere... The Devil Master, being so wise, surely knows how to choose."

These words were identical to Cang Shitian's earlier ones. But Cang Shitian at this moment subtly curled his lips, revealing a hint of mockery.

"What a contemptible land this vast Southern Divine Region is, where even its Divine Emperors are such naive and laughable fools."

Yun Che's gaze shifted slightly, and instantly the world grew dim. The spectral shadows of the three Yama Ancestors had already surrounded the two Divine Emperors, and dark devilish energy, as if from the depths of hell, simultaneously erupted, piercing their souls and clinging to their bones, making the two Divine Emperors tremble uncontrollably and ceaselessly.

"Devil Master, you..." The sword in Emperor Xuanyuan's hand vibrated, but he forced himself not to draw it.

"Cang Shitian cut off his own retreat and is willing to be a loyal dog. Since he's become this Devil Master's dog, he naturally has the right to ask for a reward," Yun Che said, his narrow eyes tilted. "What are you two? Do you even have the right to challenge this Devil Master?"

Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei both swayed slightly.

"Back then, you repaid kindness with enmity and kicked me when I was down. Today, you again aided the Southern Sea Realm in opposing this Devil Master. This Devil Master didn't act against you earlier, sparing your dog lives, and you take that as leverage?"

"You have immense nerve."

Evidently having anticipated Yun Che's stance, Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei's gazes grew somewhat colder and more resolute. Emperor Xuanyuan said, "Devil Master, we admit that the Northern Divine Region's strength far exceeds our estimations, making us wary. However, the Western Divine Region is different from our Southern Divine Region. You just killed the Ash Dragon God; the Dragon God Realm will surely lead the Western Divine Region to descend upon us immediately!"

"If we retreat, the Devil Master will have no worries in the Southern Region. Otherwise... facing enemies on both sides would likely be extremely disadvantageous for the Devil Master."

Emperor Ziwei looked directly at Yun Che, fully displaying his Divine Emperor's majesty, and said earnestly, "Considering the peace and stability of the Xuanyuan and Ziwei Realms, our retreat to this extent is already a great humiliation, though it causes no harm to the Devil Master. But to make us two kneel before the devil like Cang Shitian..."

His voice paused. Emperor Ziwei's eyes burst with purple light, and profound energy subtly swirled around him, as if he was ready to fight to the death. "Even if we perish here today, we will absolutely not agree! When the Devil Master engages in battle with the Western Region, the Ziwei and Xuanyuan Realms will surely be sharp blades pressed against the Devil Master's back!"

"Very well," Yun Che responded indifferently, then turned his face away, "Then go die."

"Slaughter them, then purge Xuanyuan and Ziwei."

At Yun Che's command, the three Yama Ancestors showed not a hint of hesitation. They instantly surged forward like three rabid dogs, their three dark ghost claws tearing open three abysses of blackness, sealing every inch of space around the two Divine Emperors.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect Yun Che to issue a direct kill order. The two Divine Emperors, momentarily stunned, were firmly pressed into the dark domain torn open by the three Yama Ancestors. Yan Tianxiao and the other Yama Devils also moved, their violently erupting Yama Ghost power merging into a devilish net that devoured all light, spreading a sealing domain from which even Divine Emperors could not escape.

Sword domains and purple light exploded simultaneously, but these two great Divine Emperors were facing the combined power of the three Yama Ancestors and a host of Yama Emperors and Devils, in addition to the two unmoving Brahma Ancestors, Qianye Ying'er, Gu Zhu, Yun Che, Tianlang... and Cang Shitian, who had just defected and lost all dignity.

Their escape routes sealed from the very beginning, they now faced true desperation.

They forcefully maintained their domains, teeth clenched tight. Emperor Xuanyuan could no longer remain calm. He said gravely, "Devil Master, we have retreated ten thousand steps. Do you truly want to... go for a mutual destruction?!"

The news of the Ash Dragon God's tragic death must have spread far and wide, and the Dragon God Realm's rage and retaliation would undoubtedly arrive soon. In such a situation, they were convinced that Yun Che absolutely would not want two more powerful enemies. Therefore, in their "negotiations" with Yun Che, they had ample confidence.

But they never expected...

Before they could receive Yun Che's response, a wild burst of laughter suddenly echoed in their ears.

"Hahahahaha... hahahahahahaha!"

The one laughing maniacally was none other than Cang Shitian. His facial muscles twitched wildly, and he was convulsing with laughter, as if witnessing the most ludicrous scene in the world.

"Cang Shitian!" The boundless suppression and apprehension transformed into rage. Emperor Ziwei gnashed his teeth and said, "You, a mad dog who abandoned dignity and righteousness... how dare you still laugh?!"

"Ha... hahahaha... hahahaha!" Cang Shitian clutched his chest, convulsing with laughter. It took him a good while to stop his maniacal laughter. He then slowly turned his gaze, looking at Emperors Xuanyuan and Ziwei with an almost pitiful expression, "What admirable defiance in the face of death, what unwavering pride, tsk tsk tsk tsk."

Cang Shitian shook his head, a slow, extremely mocking curve forming on his lips. "Xuanyuan, Ziwei, you two have been Divine Emperors for at least twenty thousand years. Your minds haven't rotted to the point of amnesia, have they? You couldn't have forgotten so quickly who saved the God Realm back then, and what expressions you wore when the Devil Master was being hunted by all realms, could you?"

Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei's expressions subtly changed at the same time.

"Your 'rather die than yield' and 'unyielding pride' acts might fool those lowly, ignorant commoners, but before the Devil Master... you're nothing but the most ludicrous and shameful clowns in this world! Hahahahahahaha!"

"Oh no no no no!" Cang Shitian continued, still laughing maniacally, "The truth about the Devil Master saving the world back then is now basically known to everyone in the Southern Divine Region. Perhaps in the eyes of those ignorant commoners, your current display is merely the face of a clown! And you still dare to try and negotiate with the Devil Master, where do you get the nerve... hahahahaha!"

"Cang... Shi... Tian!" Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei were grinding their teeth, their voices trembling, their eyes filled with rage... But, undoubtedly, every word Cang Shitian uttered was like a poisonous needle piercing their souls.

The truth of that year had been firmly concealed by all Divine Emperors. After Yun Che exposed his dark power, they all wished to eliminate him for similar reasons... pushing the very person who had just saved the world to desperation, destroying the planet of his origin, destroying everything he had.

From a human perspective, ten thousand acts of ingratitude would not be enough to describe such actions... They knew this themselves. So, tragically, they had no way to refute Cang Shitian's words. Indeed, they had no right to speak of appearances or dignity before Yun Che.

Thinking about it now, their "pride" and "defiance in the face of death" truly seemed so ludicrous.

Yun Che directly turned his back, disdaining to look at Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei again, leaving only an incomparably cold single word: "Kill!"

At his command, as the three Yama Ancestors' faces grew more ferocious, Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei's pressure sharply increased.

At this moment, Cang Shitian spoke again. He savored the two Divine Emperors' incredibly grim expressions and slowly said, "Emperor Xuanyuan, Emperor Ziwei, you two are getting old, and your ears are nearly deaf. You probably didn't hear this king's previous warning clearly, so this king won't hesitate to remind you once more."

"If you become enemies with the Dragon God Realm, even in the worst-case scenario, the Dragon God Realm would at most abolish your imperial titles and cultivation, leaving a brand of severe sin upon your lineage. To maintain their facade of righteousness, they wouldn't go as far as exterminating your realms."

"As for shame, there are countless ways and endless time to gradually wash it away. No matter how much your bloodline declines, as long as the Divine Relic power remains, there will always be a time for it to shine upon the world again."

"But if you become enemies with the Devil Master..." Cang Shitian raised his palm, his little finger pointing downwards, "If your old eyes aren't blind, then take a good look at the fate of the Southern Sea Realm."