Chapter 474: Change of the Times (Part 2)

Gu Cang carried Xia Yuanba through the air, returning to the Supreme Ocean Palace. Their pace was not fast, and an unusual silence hung between them throughout the journey. Xia Yuanba’s face showed no emotion, neither joy nor sorrow. His body remained motionless from start to finish, and even his gaze showed no change, staring blankly ahead, like a puppet without a soul.

Gu Cang repeatedly turned his head to look at Xia Yuanba, sighing inwardly. After a long silence, he finally spoke: “Yuanba, you did your best. Now that it has come to this, don’t grieve or blame yourself anymore.”

Xia Yuanba remained dazed, completely unresponsive.

“Alas,” Grand Elder Gu Cang sighed deeply. He said, “I know you’re determined to avenge Yun Che, but by forcibly awakening the profound energy within your profound veins, you’ve overloaded your undeveloped profound veins. For at least two years, you won’t be able to use any profound energy. During this time, you must cast aside all distracting thoughts and recuperate quietly… After all, Ye Xinghan is the young master of the Sun Moon Divine Hall. Even if we disregard the intricate connections between the Supreme Ocean Palace and the Sun Moon Divine Hall, seeking revenge will be incredibly difficult.”

Xia Yuanba still gave no reaction.

Two years ago, at Heavenly Sword Villa, when he believed Yun Che had died saving him, he cried uncontrollably, almost suffering a mental breakdown. But this time, he didn’t shed a single tear, nor did he show any extreme reaction. He hadn’t uttered a single word for half a day, his composure frightening.

At this moment, he finally moved, slowly raising his hand to press it against his chest. A hoarse, subdued voice emerged: “Master, your disciple wishes to enter secluded cultivation for three years.”

“Secluded cultivation for three years?” Grand Elder Gu Cang looked surprised. But seeing where Xia Yuanba’s hand was placed, his eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, “Could it be that your profound veins have undergone some unusual change?”

Xia Yuanba remained silent.

Grand Elder Gu Cang hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Since this is your wish, I certainly won’t object. We’ll discuss everything once we return to the Palace.”

With Xia Yuanba finally speaking, Grand Elder Gu Cang felt relieved, and his flying speed noticeably increased. Frankly, Grand Elder Gu Cang didn't know whether to be worried or pleased. After reuniting with Yun Che, Xia Yuanba had displayed a completely different temperament, becoming exceptionally gentle and enthusiastic, which contradicted the Tyrant Emperor’s Heart. This made him worry that Xia Yuanba’s progress might stagnate or even regress.

Now, Yun Che’s demise in the Primordial Profound Ark had dealt Xia Yuanba a heavy blow and instilled deep-seated resentment. Under the weight of self-blame and hatred, revenge became his greatest desire. Gu Cang clearly sensed an alarming intensity of hatred emanating from Xia Yuanba, who was currently unable to use profound energy. This surging hatred would fiercely drive him to relentlessly pursue the power needed for revenge, and it would also make him increasingly cold and silent.

All of this would powerfully stimulate the growth of his Tyrant Emperor’s Heart and simultaneously accelerate the awakening of his Tyrant Emperor’s Divine Veins.

Still, the fall of a genius with immeasurable potential was profoundly regrettable.

Cang Wanhe felt as if all strength had suddenly drained from his body, and he slowly and weakly collapsed onto his dragon throne, his face ghastly pale.

“Is this… truly confirmed?” Cang Wanhe asked, his expression desolate.

“Yes… until the Primordial Profound Ark vanished, the Imperial Son-in-Law did not emerge. The Divine Phoenix Sect later publicly admitted that the Imperial Son-in-Law… died inside while saving Princess Snow. Now, all seven nations should be aware of this matter,” Cang Wanhe’s personal eunuch said with a sorrowful expression, stammering for a while before finally adding, “Your Majesty, please restrain your grief… There’s one more thing this servant… this servant isn’t sure if I should mention.”

“Speak…”

“Yes… just half an hour ago, the five nations of Blue Wind, Sunken Abyss, Jialuo, Heavenly Fragrance, and Black Fiend separately sent messages, canceling their scheduled visits from yesterday.” The eunuch glanced at Cang Wanhe’s face, then hastily added, “But Your Majesty need not be angry. Since the Imperial Son-in-Law died saving Princess Snow, the Divine Phoenix Empire will certainly offer us great thanks. Perhaps the Divine Phoenix Emperor himself might even pay a visit.”

Cang Wanhe let out a long sigh, closed his eyes, and waved his hand. “You may leave. Let me have some peace… Also, do not let Yue’er know about this… You may leave.”

No sooner had Cang Wanhe’s voice faded than a distinct thud echoed from outside the hall, followed by a maid’s alarmed cry: “Ah… Princess Cang Yue! Someone quickly! Princess Cang Yue has fainted…”

Cang Wanhe’s heart jolted. He shot up, rushing out in a panic: “Yue’er!!”

Before this year, no one, not even Yun Che himself, would have imagined that his life or death would sway an entire nation. Now, with the news of his demise in the Primordial Profound Ark, the entire Blue Wind Nation was in turmoil.

And it was an extremely violent upheaval… one that could determine the future of the Blue Wind Nation.

Heavenly Sword Villa.

As night fell, Ling Tianni hovered above the Sword Control Platform, gazing up at the star-studded sky. Thousands of flying swords danced around him, yet none could approach within thirty feet.

Ling Yuefeng gently approached Ling Tianni’s side and respectfully greeted, “Father.”

“Where is Jie’er?” Ling Tianni asked calmly, his voice imbued with an inexpressible weariness and solitude.

“Jie’er is currently in the Divine Phoenix Empire; it will take some time for him to return,” Ling Yuefeng replied. He intently observed Ling Tianni, then said, “Father, do you have something important to tell me?”

“Alas…” Ling Tianni let out a long sigh. “The skies of the Blue Wind Nation are about to change completely.”

Ling Yuefeng’s heart skipped a beat. “Father, what do you mean?”

“Prepare yourself these next few days. Once Jie’er returns, have Yu Feng take him and Yun’er to the Heavenly Might Sword Domain for a few years until they have cultivated the Heavenly Might Absolute Sword to great perfection. During this period, our Heavenly Sword Villa will also temporarily close its gates,” Ling Tianni said with a heavy voice.

“Close the gates? Why close the gates?” Ling Yuefeng exclaimed in surprise.

“Because we cannot stop this momentous change in the Blue Wind Nation, nor can we even interfere. All we can do is protect ourselves and maintain our independence,” Ling Tianni sighed.

“This… what major event is about to happen? Please enlighten me, Father,” Ling Yuefeng asked, his face full of shock and doubt.

“You will understand soon enough. After we close the gates, no matter how much the outside world changes, pay it no mind. Do not receive any outside visitors. Especially the Blue Wind Imperial Family and Ice Cloud Sect… If they come seeking assistance, you must absolutely not agree, remember that!”

Ling Yuefeng’s face revealed deep astonishment. Looking at Ling Tianni’s solemn face, which also showed deep helplessness, he could only slowly nod. “Yes.”

A different place, a different space.

Everyone believed Yun Che had perished in the Primordial Profound Ark, but he was not dead. On the contrary, at this moment, he was more lucid than ever before.

The instant the Primordial Profound Ark vanished above Divine Phoenix City, an incredibly violent spatial turbulence struck. It felt as if countless steel blades were instantly gouging and slicing his body, causing even the strong-willed Yun Che to cry out in agony. Space was wildly shattering, twisting, and tearing, and his body was shattering, twisting, and tearing as well. In an instant, his entire body was a bloody mess, and the terrifying tearing force that enveloped him made it feel as though every bone in his body had been twisted apart.

The sensation of impending death had never been so clear, but driven by his survival instinct, Yun Che mustered all his profound energy and willpower, activating the Cloud Locking Sun Barrier.

Tearing… Tearing… Tearing…

The powerful barrier formed by the Cloud Locking Sun Barrier provided Yun Che with some respite, but it was still heavily twisting and collapsing in the spatial turbulence, threatening to give way completely at any moment. At this point, Jasmine’s extremely solemn voice echoed in Yun Che’s ears: “Listen carefully! The Primordial Profound Ark is currently in a state of spatial traversal. This state could last for decades, perhaps even hundreds of years, and throughout this process, the Ark will be filled with spatial turbulence every single moment. In this continuous spatial turbulence, even a high-level Emperor will be unable to endure for long and will be torn to ashes.”

“However, you still have a sliver of hope to survive! Because you possess the Dragon God’s Body, your physical body, especially your bones, aren’t so easily destroyed. Most importantly, you cultivate the Great Way of the Buddha! While spatial turbulence is terrifying, the power of heaven and earth contained within it is dozens of times greater than in normal environments! If you want to live, fully activate the Great Way of the Buddha and absorb as much of the power of heaven and earth from the spatial turbulence as possible to repair your body and recover your profound energy!”

“If your recovery speed can barely keep pace with, or even surpass, the rate of damage, you will be able to survive! This is your only hope!”

Jasmine’s voice made Yun Che, who had been quietly awaiting death, suddenly widen his eyes. His vision was completely distorted, and his own flesh and blood floated within the twisted space. His dormant will awoke with an intense desire to survive. He let out a low roar, focused all his mind, and frantically circulated the Great Way of the Buddha.

Above Yun Che’s head, a golden vortex appeared. The vortex initially rotated slowly, then spun faster and faster, until finally, a small, clear golden pagoda silhouette manifested. Amidst the turbulent space, this golden pagoda silhouette showed no signs of distortion.

The golden pagoda silhouette slowly rotated above Yun Che’s head, then rapidly absorbed the surrounding heaven and earth energy. In the very first instant, Yun Che’s pupils filled with surprise and delight, for Jasmine had been absolutely right. The power of heaven and earth contained within the spatial turbulence was unimaginably dense, and under the absorption of the Great Way of the Buddha, it surged into his body like a rushing river.

Immediately, the life essence within Yun Che’s body seemed to ignite, transforming into a raging wildfire that swiftly repaired and healed his severe injuries at a visible pace. Yun Che’s wounds were incredibly grave; there was barely an intact spot on his entire body. But as the Great Way of the Buddha continuously circulated, even though his body endured immense damage with every breath, it was simultaneously recovering at an extremely rapid rate. Gradually, ten breaths passed, a hundred breaths passed… half an hour passed… an hour passed… three hours passed… a day passed…

Yun Che’s entire body remained bloody, but the damage never worsened, and Yun Che was still conscious and alive. Within the Primordial Profound Ark, where the power of heaven and earth was astonishingly abundant, the incredible restorative power provided by the Great Way of the Buddha actually managed to largely equalize the damage inflicted by the spatial turbulence! It allowed him to survive for an entire day within the Primordial Profound Ark, which was filled with terrifying spatial turbulence!

Throughout that day, his body was damaged, repaired, damaged, repaired… an uncountable number of times. His profound energy also significantly depleted to sustain his life force during this process, only to rapidly recover again. In this horrifyingly frequent cycle, his body and profound energy were being tempered in an inconceivable manner…