Chapter 1951: Back Against the Wall

No one in the world, apart from Yun Che, understood how to wield the power of the divine source. Yet, Shui Meiyin instantly grasped the unspoken meaning of his words.

Her heart tightened. "Brother Yun Che, are you planning to... fight Mo Beichen?"

"There's no escape."

Yun Che uttered the most pessimistic words with an eerie calm. "This world is vast, yet it's minuscule to someone of Mo Beichen's stature. I've wielded power at that level twice, and I intimately understand how utterly insignificant this world appears to him." He squeezed Shui Meiyin's hand and smiled faintly. "And you... especially you, already know this, don't you?"

Shui Meiyin's limpid eyes trembled slightly; she could not refute him. They had been found seven times in sixteen days, and that was with Mo Beichen dedicating only a fraction of his energy to the search. With the Spatial Divine Power of the Universe Piercer nearly depleted, how many more escapes were possible? Even if Chi Wuyao and the others departed, how much lower would the likelihood of being found by Mo Beichen truly be?

"The Devil Queen's decision to confront Mo Beichen was undoubtedly aimed at preserving the star realms of the Northern Divine Region as much as possible." Yun Che offered a self-deprecating smile. "In the face of absolute power, even someone with her intellect has been driven to this... She must have never felt so helpless and desperate in her entire life."

"But..." Shui Meiyin shook her head forcefully. "Mo Beichen is so terrifying; if you fight him..."

"I know there's not the slightest chance of victory," Yun Che said, voicing the cruelest reality for her. "However, the power gained by sacrificing the divine source might be enough to contend with him for a brief period." Though Mo Beichen had instantly overpowered him earlier, leaving him utterly defenseless, Yun Che had at least fully perceived the immense strength of his aura. It might not even surpass his power in the Divine Ashes state.

"What happens after the stalemate?" Shui Meiyin asked.

"Naturally, I can only await death," Yun Che replied. "But before that, a miracle will occur... Do you believe it?"

Yes, a miracle... Only a miracle could possibly save them from their current desperate predicament. At the very least, he himself had to believe. If even he failed to believe, then the sudden darkness that had descended would forever extinguish any last glimmer of hope.

Shui Meiyin gazed into Yun Che's eyes, staring for a long moment before a smile bloomed on her face. She nodded with immense conviction. "Yes! Of course, I believe you. Brother Yun Che has already created far too many miracles; this time, it surely won't be an exception."

This was a truly desperate situation, one that had left even the Devil Queen hopeless and at a loss. In the past, he could escape and bide his time, nurturing his resentment, because he possessed both a refuge and immense potential for growth. Now, however, the "restriction" personally placed by the Evil God upon his profound veins completely stifled his growth. In the vast, chaotic world, there was nowhere to lie low or flee. There was only one option: to gamble everything, with no path for retreat.

As the Void Law silently circulated, the eighteen remaining golden divine rays within the Southern Sea Divine Pearl began to shift restlessly. Previously, he could only command four threads of divine source power. Now, with the complete Heaven Punishing Ancestral Canon, he should possess a relatively complete understanding of the Void Law. While the Void Law has always been elusive, the distinction between incomplete and complete represents two entirely different domains—a transcendental leap. Thus, the source power he could now wield ought to far surpass four threads.

If he could wield at least ten of the source powers from the Southern Sea Divine Pearl himself... If accomplished, ten Southern Sea Divine Sources should be enough to sustain his Divine Ashes state for nearly twenty breaths! Perhaps even more! To wield as many as possible at once—at least ten Southern Sea Divine Sources—was Yun Che's goal, one he would dedicate all his remaining time in the Heaven Profound God Realm to achieve. Once achieved, the harnessed Southern Sea divine power would forever vanish from existence, with no possibility of ever reappearing. This was Yun Che's ultimate, no-retreat move, a singular, desperate power that could never be replicated. As for the inevitably terrifying backlash, it was no longer a concern he could afford to dwell on.

***

Primordial God Realm.

The landscape remained an eternally grey expanse of land and sky, yet it had never felt so suffocatingly oppressive. Mo Beichen stood aloof in the sky, proudly gazing down upon everything. All beings in the world should hold reverence for this primordial land, where the Ancestral God originated in ancient times. Yet, as far as his divine sense extended, the aura and beings within this primordial land were utterly insignificant. Far from inspiring reverence, they didn't even warrant a level gaze from him.

Below, thousands of figures stood scattered. Though not numerous, each individual present held extremely high status in the God Realm, being core figures from the major King Realms and Upper Star Realms across the four Divine Regions. This astonishing gathering, featuring the world's most powerful experts, was permeated by an utterly stiff, cold, and oppressive atmosphere. One could barely sense the interwoven God Lord auras, let alone the circulation of air. The aura emanating from Mo Beichen above was so terrifying that even they, as God Lords, felt as minuscule as insects beneath the claw of a colossal beast, ready to be effortlessly crushed by a mere thought. This profound sense of insignificance, shock, and terror was immeasurably stronger than anything they had felt when facing Emperor Yun.

Not far below Mo Beichen, Qi Tianli stood motionless. His aged eyes surveyed the God Lords below, who, in ordinary times, would exude arrogance, but now stood silent as cicadas under the demigod's crushing aura. His heart was a mix of immense relief and profound complexity. As the first individual Mo Beichen had actively sought out, and who had decisively chosen to submit, Qi Tianli knew he had made an unquestionably wise and correct decision. This choice had elevated him to the highest position alongside Mo Beichen at that moment. When the Abyss truly descended and took control of this world in the future, given his current "contributions" and "status," the Unicorn Realm's fate would undoubtedly be far better than that of other star realms.

Yet... His state of mind, however, was entirely different now, submitting to Mo Beichen, compared to when he had submitted to Emperor Yun years ago. Submitting to Emperor Yun had been a matter of aligning with the prevailing power in the God Realm, but submitting to Mo Beichen... Half a month had passed, and a heavy sense of guilt still gnawed at his heart. Only a few short years ago, he had personally officiated Yun Che's enthronement ceremony...

Dismissing his myriad thoughts, Qi Tianli's gaze swept over the crowd. He bowed deeply and respectfully reported, "Reporting to Your Holiness, there is still a quarter of an hour until the designated time. All King Realms and Upper Star Realms from the Southern and Western Divine Regions have arrived."

To the west, all core figures from the Western Divine Region's King Realms and Upper Star Realms had gathered. Having once been forced to submit to Emperor Yun's might, how could they dare entertain even a shred of resistance against a demigod infinitely more terrifying than him? Vast star realms could be obliterated in a mere instant. Emperor Yun and the Devil Queen were being hunted so relentlessly they dared not even show a sliver of their presence. For days, these figures had practically scrambled and crawled towards the Primordial God Realm, terrified that a moment's delay would bring catastrophic annihilation upon their entire star realm. The Unicorn Realm and Azure Dragon Realm were positioned at the forefront. The four Dark Unicorns and all the main Unicorns were present, their auras notably more stable than those from other star realms.

The Azure Dragon Emperor stood in quiet repose, her blue robes trailing the ground, subtly veiled in shimmering aquatic splendor. Her exquisitely beautiful face still bore the indelible marks of eternal aloofness and chilling majesty, betraying no hint of joy, anger, sorrow, or grief. In this realm consumed by repression and despair, she was like a solitary water lotus, blooming serenely beneath an endless dark precipice—so pure and frigid that none dared meet her gaze or approach her.

To the south, led by the Canglan, Xuanyuan, and Ziwei King Realms, all core figures from the Southern Divine Region's King Realms and Upper Star Realms had also arrived. Among the three King Realms, the Ten-Fang Canglan Realm occupied the central position, yet its aura was the most agitated. A constant stream of complicated glances darted towards Cang Shuhuo, for she was not only the Canglan God Emperor but also one of Emperor Yun's Imperial Consorts. Although the Azure Dragon Emperor was also an Imperial Consort, it was common knowledge that her title was merely a formality Emperor Yun used to control the Western Divine Region, and no marital intimacy existed between them. In fact, Emperor Yun had visited the Azure Dragon Realm only a handful of times over the years. Furthermore, with the Unicorn Realm's intercession and "guarantee," in everyone's eyes, neither the Azure Dragon Emperor nor the Azure Dragon Realm needed to fear being implicated by the title of "Imperial Consort."

But Cang Shuhuo... her title as Imperial Consort was no longer the mere formality Emperor Yun had initially used to control the Southern Divine Region; she had genuinely become one of his favored consorts. During the period Yun Che and Yun Wuxin stayed in Canglan, Cang Shitian had almost universally publicized it. Especially after Shui Meiyin completed the Dimensional Array in the Canglan Realm, Emperor Yun had frequently visited the Canglan Imperial Palace, often staying for ten days or even half a month at a time. However, Cang Shitian had swiftly transformed into Mo Beichen's loyal servant, sparing no effort in any task. Mo Beichen was visibly pleased with his utility, and the current gathering was even held at his suggestion. This might, perhaps, save the Canglan Realm and Cang Shuhuo. The arriving Sea God and his retinue of divine envoys were consumed by anxious unease. In stark contrast, Cang Shuhuo remained profoundly quiet and peaceful, her eyes, like a waveless azure sea, betraying not the slightest emotional ripple to anyone who looked. Ruiyi remained steadfastly by her side, not moving a single step from start to finish.

"The Snow Song Realm and Flame God Realm from the Eastern Divine Region have yet to arrive."

"As for the Northern Divine Region..." Qi Tianli's voice faltered slightly, and his head instinctively drooped a bit further. "The Soul Stealing, Yama, and Burning Moon King Realms are all present. However, only thirty percent of the Upper Star Realms have arrived." The Soul Stealing Realm was led by Jie Xin and Jie Ling, with all nine Devil Maidens present. The Yama Realm was led by Yan Wu, and the Burning Moon Realm by Fen Daoqi. The northern area where they stood emanated an aura distinctly different from the other three regions. It was more oppressive and somber. As Qi Tianli spoke, their gazes silently met. There was no fear in their eyes, only a profound, lightless gloom. It was widely known throughout the God Realm that the Northern Divine Region was fiercely loyal to Yun Che.

"Very good." Mo Beichen's gaze flickered towards the north. "Otherwise, this ritual would be far too dull. To truly warn the others, there must always be a sacrifice."

Just then, four scorching auras rapidly flew in from the east, quickly drawing near. However, as they approached, that scorching heat was instantly annihilated by Mo Beichen's aura, vanishing without a trace. The endlessly heavy pressure drastically reduced their speed, even forcing their bodies down from the air. The arriving figures were none other than Huo Poyun, the Flame God Realm King, and the three Flame God Sect Masters: Yan Wancang, Yan Juehai, and Huo Rulie.

From a distance, Huo Poyun cast a glance at Mo Beichen before bowing profoundly. "Huo Poyun, Realm King of the Flame God Realm in the Eastern Divine Region, greets the Abyss Venerable. External affairs nearly caused my tardiness; I beg Your Holiness's understanding." Like all other Upper Realm Kings, Huo Poyun's demeanor was utterly respectful and fearful. His entire aura dissipated, and he dared not display even a hint of the dignified bearing of an Upper Realm King.

Qi Tianli spoke, "You are not yet late, Flame God Realm King. Please proceed."

At that moment, Mo Beichen's gaze suddenly drifted, and he cast a faint glance at Huo Poyun. He had heard the name Huo Poyun from Qi Tianli on his very first day here. Qi Tianli had specifically mentioned him as a "useful individual." What truly caught his attention was the unusually potent divine spirit aura emanating from him.

"Huo Poyun," Mo Beichen began dispassionately, "There are few divine inheritors of your caliber in this world. It's a pity you were born here." Mo Beichen's sudden remark silenced the entire assembly. Previously, even when God Emperors from King Realms sought an audience, he would utterly dismiss them, leaving all communication to Qi Tianli. Now, he had actually addressed Huo Poyun directly. His few indifferent words, though, resonated like thunder in the ears of all others present.

Huo Poyun's expression remained largely unchanged, yet he replied with remarkable candor, "Your Holiness possesses truly insightful vision. Beyond inheriting the Golden Crow bloodline, I was once blessed by a remnant spirit of a Golden Crow from a bygone era, which is why I stand as I am today." Originating from a Middle Star Realm, his cultivation had now reached the same level as Jun Xilei and Shui Yingyue, once counted among the Four Godchildren of the Eastern Region, and his future potential even surpassed theirs. In many respects, Huo Poyun was a figure worthy of eternal pride. In this era, only he and Feng Xue'er—along with the even more unique Yun Che and Mu Xuanyin—had received such a complete inheritance from a remnant spirit of a bygone era. Sadly, all his achievements and pride seemed to be self-imprisoned beneath Yun Che's shadow.

Mo Beichen continued to gaze at him. "Qi Tianli was correct; your future is indeed boundless. Should you journey to the Abyss in the future and break free from the shackles of this world's power, it is not impossible for you to one day become an Abyss Knight, just like this Venerable."

To become... a figure akin to this terrifying being who regarded them as mere ants? This assessment sent a violent tremor through the hearts and souls of everyone present. Their gazes upon Huo Poyun abruptly shifted dramatically. This was an evaluation bestowed by a being from a higher plane; none among them possessed the right to question it. In the not-so-distant future, this world was destined to be ruled by the utterly terrifying Abyss. The God Realm, once its master, would be reduced to a lowly existence under the Abyss's dominion. Yet, according to Mo Beichen's words, Huo Poyun's destiny would be entirely different from their own!