Chapter 1992: Ling Ya

Fury and humiliation completely erupted, and Ximen Qi no longer cared about his surroundings or circumstances. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he burst upwards, lunging directly at Yun Che. The profound light emanating from him was as violent as a snarling demon.

As he closed in, a ten-foot-long rock spear suddenly materialized in his hand. Yellow light coiled around its shaft, accompanied by the clang and roar of a dragon.

"The Dragon-Catching Spear!?" Helian murmured in surprise.

Ximen Borong had given this spear to Ximen Qi, not his legitimate son, Ximen Hong! This clearly showed Ximen Qi's current standing in Ximen Borong's eyes.

The sudden surge of profound energy created a storm that brought expressions of deep astonishment to everyone's faces. The intensity and power of this profound energy far surpassed that of any Divine Sovereign they had ever known. It even faintly exuded the might of a Divine Master. His earlier arrogant declaration was clearly no exaggeration!

His earlier discomfiture was likely just a result of being caught off guard and careless, as everything had transpired in a flash, allowing little time to react. Now that Ximen Qi, in his rage, had unleashed his full profound power and even drawn the Dragon-Catching Spear, Yun Che, who had provocatively sealed his own fate with no room for retreat, was surely...

In contrast to the surging emotions of everyone else, Yun Che's face remained utterly impassive. As the Dragon-Catching Spear lunged explosively towards him, Yun Che raised his left arm, his palm burning with crimson flames, and reached out to grasp it directly.

Yun Che's action drew a savage shriek from Ximen Qi: "First, I'll cripple your hand!"

CLANG!!

A shattering sound ripped through the air, piercing ears and shaking souls. Yet, what shattered was not Yun Che's seemingly self-destructive palm, but the dense profound light coiled around the Dragon-Catching Spear. As Yun Che’s palm advanced, the dull yellow light barrier, imbued with immense earth power, was incinerated layer by layer by the crimson flames, tearing apart like flimsy silk. The dragon's roar emanating from the Dragon-Catching Spear abruptly transformed into a struggling whimper, then completely dispersed along with the profound light that had encircled it.

The fierce expression on Ximen Qi's face instantly warped. His eyes, dilated to their maximum by hatred, were now filled with countless cracks of sheer terror. Yun Che's palm, with almost no resistance, closed around the Dragon-Catching Spear that Ximen Qi had thrust at him. A tremendous force surged from the spear, vibrating from his arm throughout his entire body.

Earth-element profound energy was known for its defense, with the rock-type being the strongest. The protective profound energy enveloping Ximen Qi was as formidable as ten thousand layers of solid rock. Yet, under the immense force channeled through the Dragon-Catching Spear, it disintegrated in an instant. A mournful shriek erupted as his right arm, which had held the spear, exploded into a mist of blood and flying flesh. Five stark white finger bones protruded from his shattered hand.

The Dragon-Catching Spear flew from his grasp, only to be instantly drawn into Yun Che's hand.

"Cripple your hand?" Yun Che sneered, "That's a good suggestion."

As he spoke, the Dragon-Catching Spear in his hand swiftly plunged, impaling Ximen Qi through his right chest. The spear tip exited his back and thrust into the ground, pinning him in place. His foot followed with a "boom," violently kicking Ximen Qi's head and cries into the ground.

"This embarrassing wretch, is he truly the son of the Bai Lin Alliance Master?" Yun Che looked down, a low chuckle escaping him. "Someone worse than a joke, yet he dares to provoke the Helian Imperial Family? And has the audacity to insult my Helian Eldest Princess?"

Helian Lingzhu's heartstrings suddenly throbbed violently.

"Qi... Young Master Qi!"

The sight of Ximen Qi's current plight caused Zhai Liancheng's face to darken completely after his initial shock. His sleeves billowed as he moved abruptly, but immediately, Mo Cangying appeared before him. Their powers collided in mid-air, repelling them both.

"As a Fourth-level Divine Master, you actually struck a Divine Sovereign," Mo Cangying said, his face chilling, eyes like venomous blades. Profound energy surged around him as he braced for another attack. "Zhai Liancheng, have you no shame left at all!?"

Zhai Liancheng, however, completely ignored him, his gaze still fixed intently on Yun Che. Yun Che lifted his foot from Ximen Qi's head, then kicked out, sending Ximen Qi and the Dragon-Catching Spear flying towards Zhai Liancheng. Zhai Liancheng quickly reached out and caught Ximen Qi.

Only white bone remained of his right hand; the Dragon-Catching Spear, which he cherished, was impaled through his body, and his skull showed at least a dozen fractures. He had completely fainted, whether from the pain or the unbearable humiliation was unclear. Zhai Liancheng's scalp tingled. He had never seen—or even dared to imagine—Ximen Qi in such a horrific state.

He looked up, his gaze once again fixed on Yun Che. "You... who exactly are you!?"

"The Eldest Princess's guard, Yun Che." Yun Che's expression and tone were unwavering. "Mere lowly curs from the Bai Lin Alliance dare to covet the Eldest Princess. As her guard, if I weren't afraid of sullying her eyes, ten of his lives wouldn't be enough."

Helian Lingzhu was speechless.

Zhai Liancheng's gaze deepened further. In front of him, Mo Cangying's hands clenched, his pupils wavered, and his face felt hot.

"Impossible!" Zhai Liancheng's gaze turned cold. "The Helian clan is nothing but refuse now; you... cannot be one of their people!"

"Heh." Yun Che offered a cold smile, one that seemed to carry deep meaning. "Young Sect Master of the Panxuan Sect, have you still not realized that you are merely a self-important fool? It's no surprise, how would a fool ever consider himself one!"

"You!!" Zhai Liancheng was enraged, but this time, he surprisingly did not immediately lash out.

Yun Che continued, "When the Helian clan governed the Lin Yuan Realm, your founding ancestors likely hadn't even been born. Outsiders can only glimpse a minuscule fraction of the heritage accumulated over so many eras. Yet, a few upstarts, who have only recently risen, actually believe they can usurp its place. Utterly foolish!"

Helian's eyes shifted. Had he not been the current Helian Emperor, he might have even believed it himself. Zhai Liancheng's expression constantly shifted. Yun Che, a Divine Sovereign, looked at him, a Fourth-level Divine Master, as if observing a mere ant, his gaze filled with derision and even a faint hint of pity. Could it be that he—and everyone else—had truly underestimated the Helian Imperial Family's heritage?

Mo Cangying suddenly spoke at this moment. "Young Master Panxuan, you should leave. If you delay any longer, that man's hand might be crippled beyond repair."

Zhai Liancheng glanced at Ximen Qi, gritted his teeth, and left a harsh warning. "Helian... I'll remember this day. You had best be prepared to endure the wrath of the Bai Lin Alliance and Senior Ximen!"

"...No need to see them off!" Helian, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke.

"Hmph!" Zhai Liancheng let out a cold snort, snatched up Ximen Qi and the Dragon-Catching Spear, and bolted from the Imperial Palace without a backward glance. He had arrived arrogantly, charging in with his nose in the air. He left with a face as dark as a pot, utterly disgraced, leaving a trail of fresh blood behind him.

These events would undoubtedly be witnessed by many, though how the news would spread remained unknown.

"Yun Che, you... you... you're not injured, are you?" Helian Lingzhu took a few steps forward, wanting to approach Yun Che. However, she ultimately stopped, remaining by Helian's side. Yet, her gaze toward Yun Che was entirely different from before. Her slightly trembling eyes now held a multitude of shimmering ripples.

Yun Che smiled. "Not a scratch, Eldest Princess, there's no need to worry."

"Yun Che!" Emperor Helian's brows furrowed deeply, his eyes filled with stern authority. "What exactly is your origin?"

"As I've said, I lost my memory after a severe injury, so my origin is unknown," Yun Che replied frankly.

"An unknown origin, and you dare to act so recklessly?" He clutched his chest, his face grim and stern, every word carrying authority. "Do you know who you just injured? Do you realize what immense calamity your actions today will bring upon us!?"

"Heh!" Yun Che smiled. He turned slightly, and a blood-stained piece of crushed rock beneath his foot was ground to dust, emitting a distinctly grating sound. "In front of two individuals who openly trampled the dignity of the Helian Imperial Family, you didn't dare utter a sound. Yet, you're quite imposing towards me, the one who just helped you reclaim your dignity. The Helian Emperor's grandeur truly is an eye-opener for an outsider like me!"

This utterly merciless taunt immediately turned Helian's face the color of a pig's liver.

"You!" Helian's finger trembled, and a sudden, sharp pain flared in his chest, nearly making him faint. Despite the Emperor being insulted, Mo Cangying remained silent, offering no refutation.

"Imperial Father," Helian Lingzhu quickly pressed down Helian's raised hand. "Zhai Liancheng and Ximen Qi were utterly arrogant, completely disregarding our Helian clan. It was indeed Yun Che who crushed their arrogance and helped us save face."

Helian angrily retorted, "What are Zhai Liancheng and Ximen Qi worth?! Does some wild boy from outside need to meddle in our affairs?! What's truly terrifying is what lies behind them..."

"Zhai Liancheng and Ximen Qi are indeed nothing," Yun Che interjected unceremoniously. "However, for major events like the 'Lin God Assembly' and 'Establishing a Nation and Changing Dynasty,' the Bai Lin Alliance didn't send their Alliance Master in person, but merely two juniors."

Helian's voice and face simultaneously froze.

Yun Che's eyes were filled with undisguised contempt. "When those two barged in, I was puzzled as to why two mere juniors dared to be so arrogant in front of the Imperial Family that governs the Lin Yuan Realm. But I soon realized: with an Emperor who possesses no backbone—oh no, not even bones—two juniors are quite enough. It's no wonder a princess, who should be enjoying glory, must suffer such anxiety and fight so desperately for the future of the Imperial Family."

Yun Che's words were, without a doubt, a direct stab at Helian's vulnerabilities and deepest pains. His face contorted violently, though not from any physical pain. He flung Helian Lingzhu's arm aside, stepped forward, and roared, "What do you know?! What do you know?! You, a junior of unknown origin... what right do you have to lecture me on my actions?!"

Helian's rage was evident on his face, while Yun Che's smile held clear contempt. An Emperor and a junior... the scene was utterly comical and ironic.

"Zhai Liancheng mentioned someone, your Helian's 'Protecting Grand Ancestor'," Yun Che said, without even glancing at Helian. "This Protecting Grand Ancestor, I presume, should be a Half-God." Outside the Pure Land and the Six God Nations, there are no True Gods. In this remote region, it's unlikely there are even Divine Extreme Realm cultivators, with the Divine Extinction Realm generally being the absolute peak. Helian's slight shift of his eyes confirmed to Yun Che that his assessment was correct.

"Setting everything else aside, if it truly comes to that point, eliminating a Half-God would undoubtedly exact an enormous price. Even if the net isn't broken, it would be severely damaged, despite the fish dying. Therefore, for the Bai Lin Alliance and the Three Sects, the ideal scenario is to force Helian to surrender for self-preservation, without a single drop of blood being spilled. As for your Helian Imperial Family, the best course of action should have been to respond with overwhelming force and bluster. The more aggressively you act, the more hesitant the Bai Lin Alliance and the Three Sects would become. After all, a 'heritage spanning hundreds of eras,' if exploited well, can be quite intimidating.

"What a pity, what a pity," Yun Che shook his head. "An Emperor devoid of courage and backbone, who trembles and cringes all day, has likely exposed the Imperial Family's fragile foundations completely over the years. Even two mere juniors from the Bai Lin Alliance and Panxuan Sect utterly disrespect you." Given the attitudes of Ximen Qi and Zhai Liancheng, they had never once held Helian in any regard from start to finish. It's easy to imagine how weak and pathetic this Helian Emperor must appear to the Bai Lin Alliance and the Three Sects, to the point where they could dispatch two juniors to handle him with ease.

"Faced with their immense provocation and humiliation of 'establishing a new nation and changing dynasties,' your Helian Emperor's resistance was merely to propose a marriage alliance, not with a concubine's son, but with a legitimate one... Hahahahahaha!" Yun Che burst into laughter. "The Helian Imperial Family, having fallen into your hands, truly deserves to perish."

Mo Cangying's lips twitched repeatedly. Yun Che was cursing the Helian Emperor, insulting the Helian clan... and Mo Cangying secretly found it somewhat satisfying.

"You... you... you!!" Helian trembled like a sieve. He was, after all, an Emperor; never before had he been insulted so thoroughly, with every word piercing his heart and soul. "How dare you! Do you truly believe... I won't kill you?!"

"Kill me?" Yun Che's eyes slanted as he took two unhurried steps forward. "Do... you... dare?"

As Yun Che stepped forward, Helian's subconscious reaction was to retract his outstretched arm slightly. Ximen Qi's demonstrated Divine Sovereign might had astonished him, yet such a Ximen Qi had been almost effortlessly defeated by Yun Che, who was also a Divine Sovereign. Even the most thoughtless person would realize that someone capable of producing such a figure must come from a plane far superior to that of the Bai Lin Alliance. Furthermore, Yun Che's extraordinary appearance and his aura, so formidable that it completely eclipsed the Emperor's own might...

A Divine Kingdom...?

Helian had already considered those two words. Courage is ingrained in one's very being, but unfortunately, he possessed none, not even a shred of backbone. Such was Helian that, until he fully understood Yun Che's origins, he would never dare to make a move against him.