Chapter 1974: White Shadow

West God Region, Azure Dragon Realm.

Yun Che’s figure materialized from nothingness, as if stepping out of thin air, appearing directly before the Azure Dragon Emperor’s palace. The vast imperial city had countless guards, but none detected him.

“Yun… Emperor Yun!” Qing Ruo had been personally guarding outside these past few days. She was first startled, then quickly restrained her aura, about to prostrate herself. An aura supported her. Yun Che faintly shook his head, saying, “You may withdraw. I will go see her.” “Yes!” Qing Ruo quickly responded and retreated quickly. When she looked back, her eyes were filled with excitement. This was the first time Emperor Yun had voluntarily set foot here.

The Azure Dragon Emperor’s bedchamber was extremely simple and cool, just like Mu Xuanyin’s Ice Phoenix Sacred Hall. Upon entering the bedchamber, Yun Che no longer deliberately concealed his aura, allowing the Azure Dragon Emperor to instantly sense his presence. However, regarding his arrival, the Azure Dragon Emperor's aura remained as calm and tranquil as still water, without a ripple of surprise or disturbance.

Rounding the screen, a pool of water emitting a strange aura came into view. The pool was a faint blue, and though no natural light illuminated it, it shimmered with a subtle azure glow. A tall, slender woman sat quietly in the pool. Her azure hair brushed the water, her snow-white skin radiated elegance, and her exquisite face carried a captivating chill, like the Goddess of Luo River descended to the mortal world. Especially her jade-like legs, which were not only astonishingly long but also exquisitely slender. Even submerged in the pool, they still radiated a flawless, jade-like radiance. This was the first time Yun Che had looked at her so intently. Setting aside her identity as the Azure Dragon Emperor, this Azure Dragon woman, who seemed unwilling to merge with the mortal world, left him momentarily stunned.

“Entering a woman’s bedchamber without permission,” the Azure Dragon Emperor slowly opened her eyes in the pool. “Is Emperor Yun truly as the rumors say, an extremely wanton and debauched person?!” The Azure Dragon Emperor was clearly in the midst of healing, dressed very simply, with only an undergarment covering her body. Given her status as the Azure Dragon Emperor, this was the first time in her life she had appeared before anyone in such a state, so she was naturally angered.

Yun Che refocused his gaze, cursing inwardly: Such rumors exist in the God Realm?! This is outrageous! Why hasn’t Cang Shitian done anything to stop them! He strode forward, speaking with an undeniable imperial tone: “You are my Imperial Consort. What need is there for distance between us?”

“…” The Azure Dragon Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly disdaining to react to this “empty title.” Her arms, which had been gathering energy before her chest, slowly moved away as she prepared to retrieve her azure robes to cover herself. But a figure flickered before her eyes, and her jade-like arm was gently held by a warm hand. Yun Che stood directly in the pool like that, his five fingers sliding along the snow-white skin of her arm to her delicate wrist. “Don’t move. Let me examine your injuries.” His profound energy had already flowed into the Azure Dragon Emperor’s body without question. The Azure Dragon Emperor could not resist and could only close her eyes again.

Yun Che’s expression gradually grew serious, and his brows slowly furrowed. Although the Azure Dragon’s body was not as strong as a Dragon God’s, it far surpassed ordinary beings. However, it was, after all, a fatal heavy blow from Mo Beichen. Even a powerful figure like the Azure Dragon Emperor, though she survived, would require a long time to fully recover. Yet, in less than half a month, the Azure Dragon Emperor’s injuries and vital energy had already recovered by more than 30 percent. At that time, his remaining consciousness had clearly felt that the Azure Dragon Emperor had sealed Mo Beichen’s power entirely within her body, and her internal organs were shattered. His aura circulated around the Azure Dragon Emperor’s body, searching for the “light aura” that Chi Wuyao had mentioned. But it was clearly too late; he couldn’t find even a trace of it.

With his divine sense withdrawn, he directly asked, “What exactly was that light aura that saved you?”

“…So it truly wasn’t from you.” The Azure Dragon Emperor’s gaze was faint; her voice gave no hint of disappointment or melancholy.

Yun Che said, “You were close to me then, and you knew my condition best. How could I possibly have had the power to release profound light energy strong enough to that extent?” The Azure Dragon Emperor’s words were already an indirect answer to Yun Che’s question. He frowned deeply, “You really don’t know at all? Not a single impression?”

The Azure Dragon Emperor’s azure eyes were like water, without a ripple: “In this world, apart from you, the only one possessing profound light energy is Shen Xi. And I have never had close contact with Shen Xi in my life. Even if I had, it’s impossible that she could infuse me with profound light energy without me knowing for so long.” “It wasn’t her,” Yun Che murmured softly. “Given your ‘certain death’ injury at the time, and your current recovery rate, even if she used her full power, it would be almost impossible to save you, let alone allow you to recover so quickly.” “Neither could I.”

The higher the level of power inflicting the injury, the slower the recovery speed due to the lingering dark force. Even someone with powerful recovery abilities like Yun Che was in a coma for half a month after being severely wounded by Mo Beichen for the first time. Yet the Azure Dragon Emperor… What exactly happened? Who was it?!

“Are you certain it was profound light energy, and not some deeply hidden self-healing ability of your Azure Dragon clan?” Yun Che asked. The Azure Dragon Emperor's gaze lifted slightly. “The Devil Queen can attest to it.”

Yun Che pondered for a long time, then said, “If that’s the case, then that profound light energy must have appeared on you after I lost consciousness. Otherwise, it’s impossible that I wouldn’t have noticed anything.” “When I lost consciousness, your life aura had almost dissipated, but not to the extent that your deep consciousness would fall into slumber in such a short time. It’s even possible some superficial consciousness remained.” “So… did you notice anything unusual?” As he asked, Yun Che didn’t expect a definite answer. Because if there had been, the Devil Queen would have known by now. However, the Azure Dragon Emperor did not shake her head.

After a brief silence, she slowly said, “Although my life was preserved some time ago, due to the severe injuries, my soul sea was chaotic and adrift. These past few days, as my consciousness gradually became clear, I remembered that on the day I was about to die, my consciousness seemed to have touched a faint white figure.” “A white figure?!” Yun Che’s heart trembled violently.

“It seemed to be a woman.” The Azure Dragon Emperor’s eyes shimmered with an unusual azure glow, as if she found it hard to find suitable words to describe that momentary image: “That white figure was clearly very close, yet the feeling it gave me was incredibly distant, so distant that… I could never touch it.” This feeling of being clearly near yet unattainable, she had only experienced once in her life. That was when she faced the returning Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor before the Crimson Crack back then. However, she did not speak of this matter. She knew well that Yun Che held the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor in extreme reverence, and to speak of it… to compare an illusory figure with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor would undoubtedly be an offense to her.

“Did you clearly see the face of that white figure?” Yun Che asked in a deep voice. “Or perhaps perceive her aura’s characteristics?” “No,” the Azure Dragon Emperor answered very decisively. “I even think it’s more likely that it was an illusion before my consciousness dissipated.”

“…” Yun Che pondered briefly and then didn’t press further, changing the subject: “Never mind. Just focus on recovering from your injuries; don’t overthink the rest.” The 'certain death' injury from that day was now completely fine. Yun Che naturally had nothing to worry about. His hand moved away from the Azure Dragon Emperor, and he turned around. “I respectfully bid farewell to Emperor Yun.” The Azure Dragon Emperor closed her eyes, not rising.

Yun Che did not leave immediately. He asked faintly, “Do you have nothing to say to me?” The Azure Dragon Emperor’s aura was peaceful, and even the azure pool beneath her showed not a single ripple: “I thank Emperor Yun for forgiving Qi Tianli. With this deed, we are now even, and I owe Emperor Yun nothing, nor do you owe me. I only hope that Emperor Yun's promise is as firm as a mountain and his magnanimity as vast as the sea, that you will no longer mention Qi Tianli's crime or pursue him with punishment in the future.”

Her clearly distant words did not make Yun Che show displeasure; instead, he smiled. “Your worries are unnecessary. Since I have forgiven him, the matter is completely closed. I will absolutely not seek an excuse to hold him accountable later. As for ‘debts are settled,’ that is a grave mistake.” “His old life does not even deserve to be compared with mine, nor does it deserve to be compared with yours.” Azure Dragon Emperor: “…”

Yun Che said, “On that day, everyone was deeply intimidated by Mo Beichen’s demigod might. Faced with his life-ending strike, even a God Emperor’s instinct would be to flee far away.” “Yet you acted to save me. This was not only beyond the instinct under demigod might but also a reaction made instantly, without thought. It’s absolutely impossible… that it was to use this merit to redeem Qi Tianli’s crime.”

The Azure Dragon Emperor parted her lips, intending to say something. But Yun Che did not give her a chance to speak, continuing, “I am about to go to the Abyss. The path ahead is unknown, but there are some things I will tell you when I return safely.” Her azure eyes snapped open, and the words she was about to utter turned into a choked gasp: “You’re going to the Abyss?!”

“If I don’t enter the Abyss, this world will forever fall into the Abyss,” Yun Che smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, I will return. This life I have now was saved by your desperate efforts. If I were to die carelessly again, wouldn’t that be too hurtful to your intentions?” “Before I return, I hope you can face one thing squarely.”

Yun Che took a step, his voice gradually fading with his receding figure: “On the day I was crowned Emperor, your title of ‘Azure Consort’ was proclaimed throughout the world. No one can say it is an empty name.” “Since we are husband and wife, the notion of ‘mutually owing nothing’ is not something you alone can decide.” “…” Silence returned to the bedchamber, remaining for a long time. But the clear pool began to ripple with disordered waves.

Above the Imperial Yun City.

With the calamity of the Abyss and Emperor Yun’s severe injuries, the Northern Divine Region was naturally uneasy. However, during this period, Chi Wuyao had not managed external affairs at all. Instead, she had kept herself quiet within her hall, recovering her wounded devil soul and striving to search for the root cause of her devil soul’s tremors. What exactly was the strange artifact used by the Abyss Emperor to pierce the Abyss passage… She always had a faint feeling that the answer to this question was critically important. If it could be destroyed, would it mean that beings from the Abyss could no longer enter the current world?

Just then, the hall door was pushed open, and Yun Che walked in, his expression as calm as a leisurely cloud. Chi Wuyao looked up from her quiet contemplation, a hint of surprise in her eyes: “So fast?” Yun Che walked over and sat before her, saying, “Worry and reluctance truly erode determination. The more I wanted to minimize my concerns before leaving, the harder it became emotionally.” “Therefore, it’s time to go.” Worries, debts, unfulfilled promises, unfinished wishes, countless words… all awaited his return. Therefore, he absolutely… had to return alive. His injuries had also almost completely recovered during this time.

“Good,” Chi Wuyao gently nodded. She could empathize with Yun Che’s state of mind. And his decision was also the kind of resolution a maturing emperor should make. “My devil soul has also recovered seven or eight tenths.” Chi Wuyao looked into Yun Che’s eyes. “These past few days, I have also clarified and reorganized the memories and knowledge from Mo Beichen. Now, I will inform you in detail about the current basic structure of the Abyss and some key figures.” “You must engrave it firmly in your soul.” Yun Che did not speak, nodding imperceptibly, his bright eyes reflecting a chilling, dark expanse.