Chapter 623: Golden Extinction

The enormous, reddish-black fallen devil flames, like the gaping maw of a devil, lunged at Yun Che. Although Yun Che was only covered by a thin layer of fire profound energy, the pure golden flames on his sword were so blinding they were hard to look at directly.

"Che'er, retreat quickly!!"

"Young Patriarch!!"

This was a desperate, full-force attack born from Prince Huai's uncontrolled rage. Even the Little Demon Empress four months prior would have gone to great lengths to avoid a head-on collision. With Yun Che's strength, such power would annihilate him completely, leaving not even a trace of his body. There would be no chance of survival. Mu Feiyan and Yun Waitian roared themselves hoarse, desperately rushing forward, but it was already too late. They could only watch helplessly as the dozens of feet wide fallen devil flames completely enveloped Yun Che.

However, even engulfed by the fallen devil flames, that pure golden flame remained incredibly dazzling, barely obscured at all. On the contrary, the massive fallen devil flames were noticeably dulled by the golden flame's radiance.

What was even more shocking was that under the shroud of the fallen devil flames, the golden flame was not instantly extinguished as people had expected. Instead, it continued forward, rapidly slicing through Prince Huai's furious flames... right down the middle!

The Golden Crow Record of the Burning World, apart from its foundational first two realms, has a corresponding Golden Crow Flame Annihilation skill for each subsequent realm. Reaching the seventh realm even allows one to comprehend an incredibly powerful destruction domain.

Among the Golden Crow Flame Annihilation skills of the first seven realms of the Golden Crow Record of the Burning World, the one with the highest single-point destruction capability was not the sixth realm's Purgatory Red Lotus or the seventh realm's Yellow Spring Ashes, but the fifth realm's Golden Sundering Annihilation!

Pure golden flame is the ultimate form of Golden Crow flames. Yun Che, with only nine drops of Golden Crow bloodline and even with the Fire Spirit Evil Body, could never reach this form with his Golden Crow flames. However, under Golden Sundering Annihilation, the Golden Crow bloodline and Golden Crow flame energy would be compressed and condensed to an extreme degree. The Golden Crow flames ignited would undergo a qualitative change on a fundamental level, generating destructive power that surpassed his own realm and limits!

Given his Golden Crow bloodline purity and Golden Crow Record of the Burning World realm, the Golden Crow flames he ignited should have been crimson-gold. Yet, under Golden Sundering Annihilation, the flames he ignited were clearly pure gold, with hardly any crimson visible!

Legend has it that the ultimate power of Golden Sundering Annihilation can melt anything in the world! Nothing is indestructible before it!

What Prince Huai unleashed was fallen devil flames of the Sovereign Profound Realm Level 5! But in terms of flame hierarchy, how could fallen devil flames compare to Golden Crow flames! As Yun Che swung his Calamity Heaven Sword, the terrifying fallen devil flames were easily sliced open beneath the golden sword light, splitting into two. Like a cleaved torrent, they dispersed to either side.

One stream surged towards the approaching Mu Feiyan, while the other blasted towards Yun Waitian and Yun Duanshui who were rushing over. Not a single trace affected Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou, who were directly behind Yun Che.

Mu Feiyan froze for a moment, then quickly stopped, letting out a low growl. His ice profound energy instantly erupted, forming a massive profound energy cage that completely sealed off the surging fallen devil flames. With his profound strength as an eighth-level Monarch, Mu Feiyan's power was immense. Within just a few breaths, the fallen devil flames were completely neutralized. On the other side, Yun Waitian and Yun Duanshui, working together, firmly withstood the fallen devil flames. With all the Yun Family elders joining in, the reddish-black flames were soon completely extinguished.

Meanwhile, the golden sword light that had sliced through the fallen devil flames continued forward, fiercely striking Prince Huai's chest as his pupils dilated almost to the point of bursting. Instantly, a golden radiance erupted, and the blade of the Calamity Heaven Sword embedded itself nearly an inch deep, stretching from Prince Huai's left shoulder to his right ribs...

"Im...pos...sible..."

Prince Huai's pupils remained wide and vacant, as he muttered hoarsely, seemingly unable to accept what was happening before his eyes. His body reacted instinctively, unleashing a surge of counter-force that violently struck Yun Che's chest.

Yun Che's face paled, and a surge of blood rushed up his throat, but he forcefully swallowed it back down. His gaze was chilling, and his entire body burned with Phoenix flames. His body, which had been sent flying, suddenly dropped down at an even faster speed. A Phoenix Wing Absolute Sky attack struck Prince Huai's heart, further tearing the wound created by Golden Sundering Annihilation.

Boom!!!!

The crimson flames exploded, shattering the profound stone ground within a hundred-zhang radius. Prince Huai groaned, blood gushed from his body, and he was sent violently flying sideways. Yun Che performed a distant backflip, planting his Calamity Heaven Sword into the ground and landing steadily. Blood streamed from his mouth and nostrils, but a contented smile was plastered on his face.

"Your Highness!!"

Prince Huai was blasted away, and the scattering blood was a shocking sight. A dozen or so experts from Prince Huai's Manor simultaneously rushed forward, intending to catch him. At that moment, the Little Demon Empress suddenly made her move. A blazing, dazzling flame shot into the air, coiling tightly around Prince Huai like a furious fire serpent. With a flick of her wrist, the fire serpent hissed, then violently plunged downwards, slamming Prince Huai hard onto the ground. He then rolled to the Little Demon Empress's feet, and the strong smell of severely burnt flesh permeated the entire Demon Imperial Hall.

All those from Prince Huai's Manor who were about to rescue Prince Huai stiffened, their steps retracting as if electrified. They dared not move another inch.

"Che'er, are you alright!"

"Young Master, are you alright!"

"Don't worry, it's just a minor injury... at least lighter than Prince Huai's," Yun Che said with a hint of pride, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice devoid of any weakness.

Mu Feiyan, Mu Yubai, and the Yun Family elders also rushed over at this moment. After letting out a sigh of relief, they were all simultaneously shocked and delighted. Mu Feiyan reached out and grasped Yun Che's shoulder, sensing that his qi and blood were not overly chaotic, and said excitedly, "Che'er, Prince Huai is a fifth-level Monarch; his strength is not much different from your father's... Yet you actually blocked his full-force attack and even injured him in return! Even your father might not have been able to do that! After four months apart, not only are you safe and sound... but your strength has almost surpassed your father's! This... this... it's simply incredible..."

Yun Qinghong smiled, his face filled with satisfaction and pride. At this moment, he no longer remembered the injuries on his body, nor the nearly half of his vital essence he had lost.

Yun Che said with a smile, "Grandfather, you're giving me too much credit. My current strength is still far from my father's. What happened just now was merely a bit of trickery."

Yun Che was telling the truth. He had obtained the Golden Crow bloodline and the Evil God's lightning seed, and had absorbed a massive amount of fire profound energy in the Sea of Death, undergoing a complete transformation. However, he still couldn't be a match for a mid-stage Monarch. His momentary clash with Prince Huai was indeed a trick. He didn't collide head-on with Prince Huai's full-force fallen devil flames. Instead, he used Golden Sundering Annihilation to penetrate the surface with a single point, slicing through Prince Huai's power and then severely wounding him. The ones who truly bore Prince Huai's power were Mu Feiyan and Yun Waitian, among others.

"Hehehe, Young Patriarch, don't be so humble," Yun Duanshui said with a smile. "Everyone present clearly saw the scene where the Young Patriarch severely injured Prince Huai just now. Our Patriarch was once hailed as the youngest Monarch in the history of the Illusory Demon Realm, and the Young Patriarch, at only twenty-two years old, is already no weaker than the Patriarch... To be a member of the Yun Family is truly the fortune of a lifetime!"

All the Yun Family members clustered behind nodded excitedly, their eyes gleaming with pride. Their gaze towards Yun Che was intensely fervent.

"Che'er, what you just used... was that Golden Crow flame?" Mu Yubai stepped forward and asked. Yun Che had just mentioned the burning golden flame, and as members of the Guardian Families, how could they not recognize that incredibly dense Golden Crow aura!

"Yes!" Yun Che nodded. "The Little Demon Empress and I were forced into the Sea of Death, where we were saved by the Golden Crow Divine Spirit. Heh... After all, the Demon Emperor Clan is the sole inheritor of the Golden Crow Divine Spirit in this world. How could the Golden Crow Divine Spirit truly allow the Demon Emperor Clan to be extinguished! After the Golden Crow Soul rescued us, it not only awakened the Little Demon Empress's Golden Crow bloodline but also bestowed upon her supreme divine power! Furthermore, remembering our Yun Family's unwavering loyalty to the Demon Emperor Clan, it granted me the Golden Crow bloodline and allowed me to cultivate the Golden Crow Record of the Burning World!"

Yun Che raised his head, stating proudly: "Although the Golden Crow Divine Spirit never interferes with the affairs of our Illusory Demon Realm, it has witnessed everything that has happened in Demon Imperial City over these years! It sees clearly who is loyal and who is treacherous! Although the Golden Crow Divine Spirit granted me the Golden Crow bloodline personally, it is in fact a reward for our entire Yun Family! As for those who claim to be guardians but have forgotten their ancestors and betrayed their lineage, those vile and treacherous individuals, the Golden Crow Divine Spirit will sooner or later mete out divine punishment!"

"...Good!" Mu Feiyan gripped Yun Che's shoulder firmly. "Your Yun Family is worthy of such a blessing! And you, my grandson, are the most deserving person in the Yun Family! The Golden Crow Divine Spirit is truly enlightened!"

As Mu Feiyan spoke, he looked up and burst into hearty laughter. All the Yun Family members were overcome with uncontainable joy and surprise. Several Yun Family elders trembled with excitement, looking up at the sky, almost unable to resist falling to their knees: "Thank you, Golden Crow Divine Spirit, for your benevolence... Old Patriarch, do you see this..."

Yun Che did not suppress his voice in the slightest; everyone in the great hall heard him clearly. His words were meant for everyone to hear, his purpose being to inform them all: the Demon Emperor Clan has always been under the protection of the Golden Crow Divine Spirit!

The Golden Crow is the revered divine beast of the Illusory Demon Realm, and the Demon Emperor Clan is the inheritor of its bloodline. However, although the Golden Crow Divine Spirit resides in the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley, it has never interfered with external affairs, remaining so for ten millennia. Even now, people still perform customary rituals to worship the Golden Crow, but subconsciously, they no longer believed the Demon Emperor Clan was truly protected by the Golden Crow Divine Spirit, and even their reverence for it had diminished year by year.

But Yun Che's words left a deep impression on everyone's hearts: the Golden Crow Soul has always been protecting the Demon Emperor Clan, and the Little Demon Empress's heaven-defying surge in strength was the most undeniable proof! Furthermore, the entire Demon Imperial City, and even the Illusory Demon Realm itself, had always been under its watchful gaze.

Once this psychological imprint was established, the Illusory Demon Realm's reverence for the Demon Emperor Clan would increase manifold, and few would dare to harbor thoughts of rebellion.

The atmosphere throughout the Demon Imperial Hall immediately underwent a subtle change. Those who had long pledged allegiance to Prince Huai's Manor visibly shrank, their faces filled with deep dread. Including the Seven Family Patriarchs and the various Prince-Regents, all were drenched in cold sweat. Looking at Prince Huai's miserable state on the ground and his thoroughly intimidated Manor, the less mentally resilient Jiufang Kui and Chiyang Bailie trembled, their legs turning to jelly, almost collapsing to the ground several times.

And the gaze of everyone towards the Yun Family also underwent a drastic change. Everyone present had clearly seen the Golden Crow flames ignited by Yun Che. And this was by no means a simple bloodline bestowal! Because this marked the emergence of the second family to inherit the Golden Crow bloodline, after the Demon Emperor Clan!

Furthermore, because the Little Demon Empress was the last and a female of the Demon Emperor Clan, the Demon Emperor Clan was destined to fade away. However, Yun Che, also possessing the Golden Crow bloodline, could pass the bloodline down. In other words, after the Little Demon Empress, the Yun Family would be the one to carry the Golden Crow bloodline and its power!

Then, the Yun Family would also be the one receiving the Golden Crow Divine Spirit's protection!!

Anyone could easily grasp the implications of this!

The Little Demon Empress merely glanced at Yun Che, not even sparing a look at Prince Huai at her feet. From her lips escaped emotionless, cold words: "Profound Core Soul Capture!"

Although Prince Huai was severely injured, he was not yet incapacitated to the point of being unable to stand. However, he was silently suppressed by the Little Demon Empress's profound energy, as if the heavens themselves were pressing down on him. Not to mention standing, he couldn't even breathe or speak. Upon hearing the Little Demon Empress's voice, the only thing he could do was desperately widen his eyes.

"Wait... wait a moment..." An elderly man from Prince Huai's Manor, exuding a Monarch's aura, stepped forward. As someone from Prince Huai's Manor, he knew full well the consequences of Prince Huai being subjected to Profound Core Soul Capture under the watchful eyes of all the powerful figures present...

But the moment he spoke, the Little Demon Empress's icy gaze instantly shot towards him. Before his next words could leave his lips, a fiery light shot forth, transforming into a colossal flame python that tightly coiled around his entire body, and then...

Boom!!

The fire python exploded, carrying the old man's body with it, scattering into countless fiery fragments.

The Little Demon Empress's speed was terrifyingly fast. The elderly man from Prince Huai's Manor was incinerated into fragments the moment he spoke. By the time people reacted, the fear that had just subsided slightly reappeared on everyone's faces. Those near the old man collapsed to the ground, their terrified pupils almost splitting open.

"Begin."

Her three indifferent words struck everyone's hearts with a chilling impact. Her face was devoid of expression, utterly calm, as if she hadn't just obliterated a powerful Monarch, but merely incinerated a tiny insect.

This time, no one from Prince Huai's Manor dared to speak again. Everyone trembled, their courage shattered by endless waves of terror. The entire hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard; one could barely hear anyone breathing. Yun He, Yun Jiang, and Yun Xi stepped forward... They walked very carefully, fearing they might make the slightest sound.

The Little Demon Empress today was truly terrifying.

Among everyone present, only Yun Che truly understood why the Little Demon Empress had become so fierce and ruthless. He looked at Prince Huai on the ground and whispered to Mu Feiyan and Mu Yubai, "Grandfather, Uncle, please protect my parents... Prince Ming must be hiding in the shadows! Sooner or later, he won't be able to stay still... He is the greatest threat!"

Mu Feiyan and Mu Yubai were both startled, then nodded slightly without asking further questions. Behind them, all the Yun Family elders who heard Yun Che's voice also tensed their expressions, their nerves taut, profound energy surging throughout their bodies, poised for action.