Chapter 1925: Moon Memories (7)

After burying Yue Wuya and Yue Wugou, and receiving the Moon Emperor Glaze from Yue Wuji, she officially ascended as the Moon God Emperor.

Facing the sudden, immense pressure from across the Moon God Realm, Xia Qingyue, almost alone, immediately did something that shocked everyone.

Confronted by the sudden aggression led by Moon God Crown Prince Yue Xuange, she did not retreat, feign compliance, or forcefully resist... instead, a purple light, piercing everyone's eyes, appeared.

She instantly slew the Moon God Crown Prince in front of everyone.

"Disobeying the God Emperor is a crime punishable by death!"

Eight words were reason enough!

No matter who he was!

At that time, Xia Qingyue had only received the Purple Pylon inheritance from Yue Wuya for a mere nine days.

Yet, the Purple Pylon divine power she unleashed made all the Moon Gods tremble.

This single sword strike established her might and authority, and it also ended Yue Wuji's hesitation, causing this powerful Moon God, second only to the God Emperor, to align himself with the new Emperor without further delay.

The sudden death of the Moon God Crown Prince meant that the core of the forces resisting the new Emperor collapsed before they could even formally launch their challenge.

The rest were then defeated one by one.

She proceeded with meticulous planning, each step striking at the core, either deeply impressing or severely deterring the Moon Gods... By the time all Moon Gods willingly submitted, any opposing voices became a laughingstock, and the Moon God Realm was entirely under her control.

The internal strife in the Moon God Realm lasted for less than two years.

A timeframe no one could have dreamed of beforehand.

Chi Wuyao's mastery over human hearts and control of situations stemmed from millennia of accumulation.

Xia Qingyue, however, had never held a position of authority before becoming the Moon God Emperor.

While receiving the Moon Emperor Glaze naturally meant inheriting the core memories of previous Moon God Emperors, giving her full knowledge of all Moon Gods and Moon God Envoys, her ability to control the situation to such an extent was far beyond what any ordinary person or conventional wisdom could achieve.

Even with Chi Wuyao's abilities, without resorting to her Samsara Devil Soul, Yun Che didn't believe she could have done better.

The Glaze's awakening... seeing the truth beneath the void...

What exactly were the changes in her, and what did she see?!

The scenes of the Void Remembrance continued to flow, gradually advancing to three years later... to Yun Che's return to the God Realm.

Huo Poyun's betrayal led to Yun Che's whereabouts being exposed immediately upon his return to the Snow Song Realm.

Upon receiving the news, Xia Qingyue immediately did two things: she led the Eternal Heaven God Emperor to the Snow Song Realm, and then personally went to intercept Qianye Ying'er.

In the Snow Song Realm, even if Luo Guxie hadn't had her arm severed by Mu Xuanyin, she would have been stopped by Zhou Xuzi. And the most dangerous figure, Qianye Ying'er, was perfectly repelled by Xia Qingyue.

Had it not been for her, the consequences would have been unimaginable... When she later mentioned this matter to him, it was dismissed with a single, understated remark.

Later, they entered the Eternal Heaven God Realm to attend the "Eternal Heaven Assembly" held to confront the Crimson Calamity.

Yet, even then, Xia Qingyue had already developed a sense of alarm regarding Long Bai:

"Instruct them to focus their investigation on the recent frequent massacres in the Dragon God Realm. Especially the time and location of the first incident... and try their best to search for traces of power left at each scene, the more detailed, the better!"

"Investigate this matter with full effort immediately; everything else can be temporarily set aside!"

He also saw that in the Eternal Heaven God Realm, after conversing with him, Xia Qingyue looked at his retreating back and let out a very long sigh:

"With such a unique treasure, targeted by the Dragon Monarch, and poisoned by Qianye... once the Crimson Calamity subsides, he might become an enemy to the entire world."

"How can I possibly protect him?"

Before the Wall of Primordial Chaos, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor returned.

A host of God Emperors and Realm Kings knelt in trembling awe. Xia Qingyue, also prostrating herself, had already discreetly placed a Hidden Moon Floating Image Pearl on her purple sash; its aura perfectly blended with her Moon God aura, undetected by anyone.

It completely recorded the kneeling of the emperors and Yun Che's solitary confrontation with the Devil Emperor.

This was the image contained within the first Illusionary Heart Glaze Jade!

Later, Yun Che returned to the Snow Song Realm, bringing news that the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor would not wreak havoc upon the world. All the God Emperors and Realm Kings showed great deference to Yun Che, hailing him as the "God Child who saves the world." At this time, Xia Qingyue still carried a Hidden Moon Floating Image Pearl, quietly emitting a faint moon aura.

The image in the second Illusionary Heart Glaze Jade originated from this moment.

Xia Qingyue, with her intricate calculations blending truth and deception, forced Qianye Fantian into a desperate situation, and also compelled Qianye Ying'er to be marked with a slave seal by Yun Che... And it was on that very day, just as he left the Moon God Realm, that the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor suddenly appeared before her.

Out of curiosity for her simultaneous possession of the Glazed Heart and Exquisite Body, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor forcibly peered into Xia Qingyue's memories, then uttered one astonishing statement after another that left Yun Che stunned:

"Xia Qingyue, you are the person with the most tragic fate this venerable one has ever encountered in her life... even I, who have experienced the calamity of the outer chaos, feel sorrow for you!"

"What's even more tragic is that after finally realizing the truth, you actually chose to comply? Is it because you believe you simply cannot resist, or is it..."

"However, thanks to you, this venerable one has learned a secret that she shouldn't have known... Heh, fate truly is wondrous, truly wondrous."

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor had left, the Crimson Calamity had ended, and Xia Qingyue had fallen into the Abyss of Nothingness... Yet, at this moment, Yun Che completely failed to comprehend the words the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor had spoken to Xia Qingyue back then.

He couldn't understand a single word.

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor forcibly took Xia Qingyue from the Moon God Realm using the Universe Needle. The scene shifted, and they appeared in an endlessly dark world.

The Northern Divine Region.

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor gazed at the dark cage before her, perpetually devoid of light, her voice filled with sorrow and anger, her eyes bleak:

"Back then, I sincerely sought to meet Moye of the God Race, only to be ambushed by his despicable scheme. Yet, the current records only praise him... Heh, how ridiculous."

"If not for Yun Che... if not to prevent the name of Ni Xuan, the Heretic God, from being tainted because of me, I truly wanted to... permanently erase Moye, Xike... and all inheritors of the God Race's power and will from this world!"

This was the scene contained in the fourth Illusionary Heart Glaze Jade, recording the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's redemption of all living beings in the current world.

However, the subsequent words, unrecorded by the Illusionary Heart Glaze Jade, struck Yun Che to his very core.

"It seems I must leave, and indeed, I have no choice but to." The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor, eyes reflecting demonic light, spoke as if to herself, yet also confiding: "This is for the best, fulfilling Ni Xuan's wish and Yun Che's desire... though ultimately, there's a slight lingering reluctance."

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor had initially only said she wouldn't wreak havoc, not that she would leave. He had always assumed her final choice to sacrifice herself and depart from the Primal Chaos was due to her prolonged time with Hong'er and You'er, and her witnessing the escalating chaos across the realms, leading to a profound change of heart.

It turned out her decision was made after she met Xia Qingyue!

What exactly did she see in Xia Qingyue?

"Leave?" Xia Qingyue turned her gaze: "With senior Devil Emperor's power, the entire world is yours to command. Where else could you go?"

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor replied, "Along with my people, I will leave this Primal Chaos forever. This world no longer belongs to us. With 'her' present, I am destined... not to throw this world into ruin."

She revealed an extremely strange smile: "'She' actually still exists in this world, how incredibly..."

For a moment, she couldn't find words to describe it, only shaking her head: "Yun Che once simultaneously used Light Profound Energy and Dark Profound Energy in front of me; I should have guessed then... but at that time, even if I had ten thousand more heads, I wouldn't have dared to truly consider that possibility."

"Yet, the only, and most impossible, possibility turned out to be the truth."

Xia Qingyue did not ask who the "she" mentioned by the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor was. She looked at the Devil Emperor's face, covered in terrifying scars, and softly said, "Senior Devil Emperor's benevolence will surely be remembered for ten thousand generations. However... if I may be so bold, I have an impudent request, and I hope Senior Devil Emperor will grant it."

"Oh?"

"I hope... when Senior announces this to the world, you can also mention that this is the result of Yun Che's utmost effort."

Yun Che: "!!"

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor stared at her for a while, then suddenly revealed a rather complex, faint smile: "Even if you didn't say so, I would have done the same. It seems this well-hidden Profound Image Stone on you was prepared for him."

"However, the interference placed upon you doesn't include 'emotions.' Heh, how interesting. I increasingly wish to witness your final outcome firsthand... Unfortunately, I don't have nearly enough time left."

"Thank you, Senior Devil Emperor, for fulfilling my request." Xia Qingyue bowed lightly, and then asked a very strange question: "Senior, could you please tell me... what exactly is this 'interference' that has been placed upon me?"

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor gazed at her deeply, her eyes still strange: "Out of pity for you, I won't tell you. The later you know, the better. However, it seems you are not far from seeing the full 'truth.' If you're unlucky, perhaps in about two or three years."

Xia Qingyue: "..."

"However, in your current state, even if you haven't fully seen it, you should have at least some inkling. Or perhaps you've touched upon a clue, but dare not approach it further, fearing it's a result too cruel for you to accept."

Xia Qingyue's moon-like eyes trembled violently. After a long silence, she softly asked, "I never used to believe in so-called fate. Now, I want to know... can such a fate be defied?"

"First, ask yourself, do you want to defy it?" the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor retorted.

"..." Xia Qingyue did not answer.

"I cannot answer the question you asked me," the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor said. "As for the question I asked you, give yourself an answer when you finally see the full truth someday. I eagerly await your choice then."

The Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor looked up at the dim void: "The world exists due to balance. Where there is creation, there is destruction; where there is light, there is darkness. And fate, too, has its balance."

"?? " Xia Qingyue looked at her, not understanding her meaning.

At this moment, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor extended her hand, and the Universe Needle, shimmering with a crimson glow, along with a pitch-black slab, slowly floated before Xia Qingyue.

"Senior?" Xia Qingyue didn't reach out, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"The Universe Needle was originally Ni Xuan's possession. When we pledged our love, he gave me the Universe Needle, and I gave him the Sky Poison Pearl," the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's voice softened. "It was this that allowed me to endure for so long in the outer chaos, and it was this that allowed me to survive millions of years without my spirit breaking."

"If love brings fortune, it endures until death; if love brings sorrow, it pierces the soul for ten lifetimes; if love brings calamity, even gods and Buddhas struggle to overcome it... Xia Qingyue, you have seen my choice. Let my Universe Needle bear witness to your final choice."

"As for this World-Defying Heaven Manual, I originally intended to give it to Yun Che. But your presence suddenly made me not want him to see all the 'truths' too early. So, I will leave it until after your 'choice.'"

With a faint flicker of red light, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and Xia Qingyue vanished from the scene.

Yun Che stared blankly at the endless gloom, as if lost in a bewildering dream.