Chapter 1867: Layout

“Of course, if you truly don't wish it, then pretend you never heard it. No one in this world is qualified to force our Devil Master.”

Chi Wuyao's demonic eyes shifted slightly, and she spoke with a hint of self-reproach: "I just want to control the entire situation within half a year... Apart from this, I can't think of any other feasible method for now. Or, does the Devil Master have a better idea?"

“...Who have you chosen for the Southern Divine Region?” Yun Che asked with a serious expression.

After the collapse of Nanming, all three existing God Emperors in the Southern Region were male... Could it be that Chi Wuyao intends to forcefully promote one?

Seeing Yun Che's current expression, a faint smile appeared on Chi Wuyao's beautiful face: "The easiest to manage, of course, is the Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm. After all, Cang Shitian is extremely loyal to you now; he publicly declared himself the Devil Master's mad dog, acting like a fanatic in front of everyone."

Yun Che frowned slightly, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Devil Empress, do you truly intend to heavily rely on Cang Shitian?"

“Of course,” Chi Wuyao replied with a faint smile.

“Take risks in adversity, maintain stability in prosperity – these are words you often say,” Yun Che slowly stated. “Yet, although Cang Shitian is a God Emperor, his temperament is extremely volatile and twisted. His actions are unconventional and almost unpredictable. For such a person, merely sparing his life is the bottom line; why would you heavily rely on him?”

Chi Wuyao's faint smile remained, her voice soft and slow: "What you said is indeed correct. A mad dog is difficult to control, and no one can predict when he might turn on his master. However, by the Devil Master's side... at least for the current stage, precisely such a mad dog is needed."

Yun Che looked puzzled.

“It's simple,” Chi Wuyao continued. “Throughout the God Realm, there are countless people who resent you – for example, those whose relatives, or even entire clans, were annihilated in the fierce battles.”

“Compared to that, what's more terrifying is the solidification of perception over an entire million years. For people from the three Divine Regions to coexist with 'devils' possessing dark profound energy, they can only superficially accept it; true inner acceptance is far from easy.”

“As for those uncontrollable and unmanageable destabilizing factors... especially those extreme elements posing huge hidden dangers, the only way to deal with them is to eliminate them with the most decisive and ruthless methods.”

“However, matters that would stain one with blood and infamy should, of course, not be handled by the Devil Master. Ideally, they shouldn't even be handled by 'devils.' So, who else by the Devil Master's side is more suitable to bear this blood, infamy, blame, and dirty work than the 'mad dog' who 'betrayed' the Southern Divine Region early on and submitted to the Devil Master's command?!”

Yun Che was half stunned, half enlightened.

“Supreme Commander of the Order Maintainers.” Chi Wuyao slowly uttered these three words. “I've already decided on his new identity. As long as the Devil Master nods, he can shed the title of Shitian God Emperor and take on this perfectly fitting identity.”

“Making someone who never wished to abide by order into an 'Order Maintainer'?” Yun Che chuckled. “Only you could come up with such a thing.”

“He will greatly enjoy this new identity. For him, it will be thousands of times more comfortable than the title of 'God Emperor,'” Chi Wuyao changed her tone. “However, necessary constraints must still be in place. As an emperor, one must simultaneously possess both a 'red' and a 'black' side. The 'black' side must be completely dark underneath, but outwardly, it must be meticulously whitewashed to appear sufficiently clean.”

Yun Che reached up and pressed his brow... Listening to the imperial doctrines Chi Wuyao occasionally imparted, he was already starting to get a headache.

Back on the Profound Sky Continent, when he was the Palace Master of Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, he largely acted as a hands-off leader, delegating all matters, big and small, to Mu Rong Qianxue and others. He wondered if, as the Emperor of the God Realm, he could also be a hands-off ruler.

However, it seemed Chi Wuyao was already aware of this.

“Alright, let's do as you say,” Yun Che said, shaking off the muddle in his mind, seemingly resigned to his fate.

What he desired most now was to control the overall situation, eliminate obstacles that, while not threatening, could not be ignored, and return to the Azure Cloud Continent to reunite with his family and loved ones as soon as possible.

Since this was clearly not his forte, he decided to leave everything to Chi Wuyao's arrangements.

In the desolate center of the Azure Sea Divine Region, various realms had gathered.

After more than a day of rest, coupled with the dark resonance drawn by the Calamity of the Devil, the condition of the Northern Region profound practitioners had significantly improved. As they looked at Yun Che and Chi Wuyao, their eyes, now calm from the pain of losing kin and the excitement of defying fate, had become dark and resolute once more.

“How is the situation?” Yun Che asked indifferently, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Fen Daoqi stepped forward and solemnly reported: "Although our strength has not fully recovered, we are all without serious harm. The Western Divine Region is currently in a state of chaos, especially the Dragon God, Di Chi, Hui Long, and Myriad Manifestations realms, which are leaderless. Order and morale are undoubtedly collapsing, making this an excellent time for suppression."

“Therefore, please give the command, Devil Master. On our way there, we will surely recover over seventy percent of our strength. Upon entering the Western Divine Region, we will certainly slaughter all obstacles and never disappoint the Devil Master!”

The Qilin Emperor's body trembled slightly. After much hesitation, he ultimately dared not speak.

However, the Azure Dragon Emperor, who was beside him, suddenly stepped forward and said: "Northern Region Devil Master, the Divine Lords of the Dragon God, Di Chi, Hui Long, and Myriad Manifestations realms have all been slaughtered. Our Azure Dragon and Qilin realms have also voluntarily submitted and promised to persuade the other Western Region realms to surrender. The Western Divine Region poses no threat to you now, so why still suppress it?"

“Nonsense!” Facing the people of the Western Region, Fen Daoqi's respect instantly turned cold: "If the remnants are not eliminated, they will surely become future trouble! Once they calm down and gather strength, it will only create more problems. Your Azure Dragon Realm's survival is the Devil Master's supreme grace; what audacity do you have to speak such insolent words!"

The Qilin Emperor's heart pounded wildly, and he quickly stood up, saying: "Devil Master, please quell your anger. The Azure Dragon Emperor had absolutely no intention of offending; it is merely her nature to dislike war and her reluctance to see the beings of the Western Region suffer calamity that caused her to speak rashly. I implore the Devil Master not to take offense."

“Reluctance to see the Western Region suffer calamity?” Yun Che cast a sidelong glance at the Azure Dragon Emperor, sneering: "Then who bestowed the million-year calamity upon the Northern Divine Region? Where were you at that time? When this Devil Master was betrayed by those beasts, and even the fact that I once saved the world was hidden, where were you then? Did you speak a single word on behalf of this Devil Master!"

The Azure Dragon Emperor's lips moved slightly, but she found it difficult to retort.

“Devil Master, ac...actually,” the Qilin Emperor said weakly, “At the edge of Chaos back then, the Azure Dragon Emperor indeed wished to speak up for the Devil Master, but... she was forcibly stopped by this old one. I swear on the name of Qilin that there is not a single false word in this statement.”

Yun Che scoffed dismissively.

“There's no need for you two to be so nervous,” Chi Wuyao said with a faint smile. “The Devil Master never said he would suppress and drench the Western Divine Region in blood next. Our Northern Region has already suffered heavy casualties; if we can achieve submission without fighting, who would truly wish to engage in battle and slaughter?”

These words stunned not only the Qilin Emperor and Azure Dragon Emperor but also all the Northern Region profound practitioners.

“However, this depends on how well you can control the Western Divine Region,” Chi Wuyao said, a smile playing on her lips, but her voice carried a soul-piercing deterrence.

The Qilin Emperor was overjoyed, suppressing his excitement as he said: "Yes, yes, the Devil Empress is absolutely right. Please rest assured, Devil Master and Devil Empress, our Qilin and Azure Dragon clans have always held prestige second only to the Dragon God clan in the Western Divine Region. Now that the Dragon God has perished, the Western Divine Region should regard our two clans as supreme. This old one guarantees—"

“On what grounds do you guarantee that?” Yun Che asked coldly, casting a sidelong glance.

The Qilin Emperor was startled. Facing Yun Che's invisible demonic might, he lowered his head and stammered with difficulty: "This old one... will definitely do my utmost. If I cannot achieve it, I am willing to accept punishment."

“Unfortunately, your guarantee is worthless to us,” Chi Wuyao said flatly, rendering the Qilin Emperor speechless.

Chi Wuyao slowly explained: "All four Divine Regions are led by their respective King Realms. The Northern Divine Region goes without saying. Within the Eastern Divine Region, the Eternal Heaven and Moon God Realms have been destroyed. The current God Emperor of the Brahma Monarch God Realm is the Devil Master's future Imperial Concubine. Although the Star God Realm is half-destroyed, the Sirius Star God still lives and can take over the position of Star God Emperor, and the Star God's lingering prestige will long remain in the Eastern Divine Region."

“As for Mu Xuanyin, the Realm King of the Snow Song Realm, in yesterday's battle, she shattered the Scarlet Destruction Dragon God with a single sword. Her divine might alone already surpasses that of the God Emperors of all King Realms. With the Eastern Divine Region's current decline, Mu Xuanyin alone can elevate the Snow Song Realm under her command to the level of a King Realm. Coupled with the Devil Master's personal designation, the Snow Song Realm shall henceforth be established as the third King Realm of the Eastern Divine Region, beyond all doubt!”

“Thus, the God Emperors of the three future King Realms in the Eastern Region will all be the Devil Master's Imperial Concubines. How could the Eastern Divine Region not be peaceful?”

Qianye Ying'er: "..."

Cai Zhi: "..."

Mu Xuanyin: "..."

Everyone in the Northern Region was dumbfounded.

“As for your Western Region King Realms, you are all outsiders,” Chi Wuyao said, casting a sidelong glance at the Qilin Emperor and Azure Dragon Emperor. “How can mere outsiders, whether in terms of influence over the Western Region or trustworthiness to the Devil Master, compare to 'insiders'?”

“Qilin Emperor, what do you say?”

The Qilin Emperor was extremely astute; his bewilderment lasted for barely half a breath before it was replaced by sudden enlightenment. He immediately knelt on one knee and solemnly declared: "The Devil Empress is absolutely right! Since that is the case, this old one dares to request that the Devil Master take the Azure Dragon Emperor as an Imperial Concubine."

At these words, jaws dropped to the floor. The Azure Dragon Emperor, who had been contemplating Chi Wuyao's words, suddenly heard this and her watery eyes contracted sharply. She turned to the side and exclaimed in shock: "You... what did you say!?"

In contrast to the Azure Dragon Emperor's shock, the Qilin Emperor felt much more settled. With a calm and serious expression, he said: "The Devil Master possesses the inheritance of the Heretic God and the legacy of the Devil Emperor, placing him as a transcendent existence far above all beings in this era. In just a few years, he once saved the world from impending doom and later awed the world with his supreme demonic might. His achievements and power are unparalleled throughout history, beyond anyone's reach."

“He ought to be the supreme Emperor of the Primal Chaos, ruling over all beings with majestic power. Only the Devil Master is worthy of being this first Emperor of all ages, and only existences like God Emperors are worthy of being the Devil Master's concubines.”

“If the Devil Master commands the Azure Dragon God Emperor to be his concubine, the Western Divine Region will no longer be under outsider control. The million-year draconic might of the Azure Dragon clan, merged with the title of the Devil Master's Imperial Concubine, will surely multiply the suppression of dissenting thoughts among the Western Region profound practitioners. And as an Imperial Concubine, the Azure Dragon Emperor will naturally serve the Devil Master even more devotedly. Our Qilin clan will also fully assist the Azure Dragon Imperial Concubine in guiding and solidifying the will of the Western Divine Region.”

The Qilin Emperor was indeed the "old fox" Yun Che spoke of. His lengthy speech, delivered almost without pause or deviation, fully conveyed Chi Wuyao's subtle hint. He even directly referred to the Azure Dragon Emperor as "Azure Dragon Imperial Concubine."

Furthermore, his words were by no means uttered unwillingly under duress; rather, his heart was filled with excitement and joy.

“The Qilin Emperor indeed has an excellent suggestion,” Chi Wuyao praised lightly, her gaze sweeping towards the Azure Dragon Emperor, whose aura was clearly in disarray. “The Devil Master also seems to have no objections. Azure Dragon Emperor, what are your thoughts?”

The Azure Dragon Emperor raised her eyes, just about to speak, when the Qilin Emperor's urgent voice transmission reached her ear: "Azure Dragon Emperor! 'Azure Dragon Imperial Concubine' is ultimately just a nominal title. For the Devil Master Yun Che, it can instantly create a grand momentum to control the Western Divine Region. And for the Western Divine Region itself, it offers immense benefits—it can, as you wish, largely prevent the Western Divine Region from suffering calamity. Especially for the Azure Dragon Realm, it is the greatest protective talisman in the world, one that other clans and realms can only dream of obtaining!"

“Yun Che's ascension as Emperor of Chaos is now unstoppable. Becoming his Imperial Concubine will not at all dishonor your status.”

“If you refuse, the consequences will likely directly turn into the situation you least want to see, unimaginable!”

“You absolutely must not refuse! Absolutely not!!”

The Azure Dragon Emperor, of course, understood that she had no right to refuse.

If she openly defied the Devil Master and provoked his fury, setting aside the consequences for the Western Divine Region, it was unknown whether her Azure Dragon clan could even leave this place alive.

Her chest rose and fell several times with deep breaths as she slowly spoke: "Devil Master, if I agree... can you promise not to trample the Western Divine Region anymore?"

“A promise? Heh...” Yun Che let out a scoffing chuckle of extreme disdain: "Azure Dragon Emperor, you've completely misunderstood something. The title of 'Imperial Concubine' is not your sacrifice, but this Devil Master's grace! Since you receive grace, what face do you have to demand a promise from this Devil Master!"

The Azure Dragon Emperor bit down hard on her teeth. The Azure Dragon Divine Attendant behind her quickly and quietly tugged at her sleeve.

The Azure Dragon Emperor's temperament was extremely serene; for a hundred thousand years as an emperor, she had always remained solitary, appreciating her own isolated heart. Becoming an Imperial Concubine would undoubtedly be a tremendous sacrifice for her personally. As for the Azure Dragon clan... as the Emperor of the Azure Dragon yet a concubine to another, she did not know what face she would have to meet her ancestors in the future.

And she had to endure such harsh words from this man!

Chi Wuyao's lips curved slightly in a half-smile: "The two words 'Imperial Concubine' are, after all, merely a nominal title permitted by the Devil Master, beneficial to both our sides. As for whether you can truly receive the Devil Master's favor, that will depend on the Azure Dragon Emperor's own abilities."

“The Devil Master's harem, you see, has always been fiercely competitive. Even someone like the Brahma Monarch Goddess has repeatedly cast aside her identity as the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, practically wishing to cling to the Devil Master's side every day to vie for favor. In the future, I'm afraid it will be a hundred times more brutal, alas.”

“Hmph!” Qianye Ying'er snorted softly through her nose.

Yun Che: "..."

Chi Wuyao's words, paradoxically, caused the Azure Dragon Emperor's tightly clenched teeth to relax slightly. Calming herself, she said: "Very well, everything shall be as the Devil Master and Devil Empress command."

“Excellent.” Chi Wuyao's enchanting eyes narrowed slightly. "'The Devil Master will take the Azure Dragon Emperor as the Azure Dragon Imperial Concubine, to be formally conferred at the Imperial Conferment Ceremony.' This news should be announced by the Azure Dragon Emperor first to the Western Divine Region.”

The Azure Dragon Emperor clenched her hands, her knuckles turning white, but her voice was cool and calm as she said: "I understand. After I return, I will immediately announce this matter to the Western Divine Region."

Chi Wuyao slowly nodded: "As expected of the Azure Dragon Emperor, this Empress likes you more and more. After you are formally made a concubine, perhaps one day you might truly receive the Devil Master's favor."

“...Then, I accept the Devil Empress's auspicious words,” the Azure Dragon Emperor said, struggling to maintain her composure as she finished these few words.

The Qilin Emperor's face broke into a smile, and he bowed respectfully: "Congratulations, Devil Master! Congratulations, Azure Dragon Imperial Concubine!"

Yun Che offered no response, and the Azure Dragon Emperor's face was as cold as frost... The Qilin Emperor turned half-circle, could only offer an awkward smile, and took a small step back.

Qianye Ying'er's gaze sharply swept over the Azure Dragon Emperor's jade-white legs... She knew this must be Chi Wuyao's idea, and an extremely clever one. However, she couldn't help but wonder if Yun Che was truly lusting after this Azure Dragon Emperor!

After all, the Azure Dragon Emperor's beautiful, shimmering jade legs were truly unparalleled in the world; even Qianye Ying'er herself felt a hint of envy after secretly glancing at them.

“And then there's the Southern Divine Region,” Chi Wuyao said, her gaze turning to Cang Shitian.

“The Northern, Eastern, and Western Divine Regions all have the Devil Master's 'insiders'; how can the Southern Divine Region be the only one lacking? Therefore...” A deep, profound glint appeared in Chi Wuyao's eyes: "Neither Xuanyuan nor Ziwei have suitable candidates. Shitian God Emperor, for the Southern Divine Region, you will just have to make a sacrifice."

“!#￥...” Cang Shitian's scalp tingled violently. He, who usually regarded neither heaven nor earth, now found his limbs trembling uncontrollably. He braced himself and stammered: "De-De-Devil Empress, Shitian is absolutely loyal to the Devil Master; heaven and earth can bear witness to that. It's just... it's just this dragon yang thing... Shitian really can't... and this might also be detrimental to the Devil Master's prestige, so I implore the Devil Master and Devil Empress to please reconsider... reconsider!"