Chapter 763: Fate Turning Point

“Xue’er, let’s go.” What would happen otherwise, he didn’t say, nor could he. Without another glance at anyone, he took Feng Xue’er’s hand and flew far away, never looking back.

The terrifying killing intent that had just made them all tremble suddenly dissipated, allowing Xuanyuan Yufeng to be released as he turned and flew away. This outcome left Xuanyuan Jiuding and Mu Yuanzhi bewildered for a long time.

“This Yun Che is indeed more formidable than the rumors suggest.” Yun Che’s departure left Mu Yuanzhi with a palpable sense of relief. It was the first time in his life he had felt such a feeling because of a young man. After a brief pause, he added, “After all, with such a terrifyingly powerful master behind him, he certainly has the backing for such overwhelming arrogance.”

“Master? Heh.” Xuanyuan Jiuding smiled faintly, “Don’t worry, he won’t be able to swagger around for much longer. The time will come for us to settle today’s score!”

“Oh?” Mu Yuanzhi looked at Xuanyuan Jiuding with a surprised expression, “Thirteenth Elder, what are you implying...?”

“No need to ask further; you’ll understand when the time comes.” Xuanyuan Jiuding’s lips curved into a rather sinister smile.

After leaving the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range, Yun Che’s flight speed slowed. He frowned deeply, silently lost in thought.

Feng Xue’er could sense Yun Che’s suppressed mood. She gently comforted him, “Brother Yun, don’t worry too much. His mother and child must be safe and sound, waiting somewhere secure for Brother Yun to find them.”

“…” Yun Che exhaled softly, a smile appearing on his face. “Yes. They absolutely will be fine; I’ve always firmly believed that.”

“It’s just that I only learned today that after she left Ice Cloud Immortal Palace back then, she was actually hunted by Heavenly Sword Villa.” Yun Che’s hands clenched into fists. Because she was Ling Jie’s mother, he couldn’t bring himself to kill Xuanyuan Yufeng... Otherwise, even if she were the daughter of a Sword Domain Elder, or the Queen Mother of Heaven herself, he would have killed her in a rage.

“Then how... did she escape?” Feng Xue’er knew that since they had meticulously plotted to kill Chu Yuechan, the three individuals sent must have possessed the ability to do so... Thus, the situation at the time must have been one of extreme peril.

Yun Che quietly explained, “Xuanyuan Yufeng had spread news of the Little Fairy’s pregnancy far and wide, but her true aim was to kill the Little Fairy. She predicted that the Little Fairy would likely be expelled upon returning to Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, so she arranged an ambush in the Extreme Ice Snow Region in advance... The three individuals she dispatched were opponents even the Little Fairy at her peak could not contend with. What’s more, she was pregnant at the time, her profound energy was unstable, and she had just crippled her own profound arts. Thus, she was gravely wounded by a single palm strike as soon as she appeared... Fortunately, a blizzard suddenly erupted in the Extreme Ice Snow Region that day, and a Snow Phoenix Beast was also nearby. Under the blizzard, the speed, profound energy circulation, and vision of ordinary profound practitioners are greatly hindered, but for a Snow Phoenix Beast, it’s quite the opposite. So, the Little Fairy used the Snow Phoenix Beast’s power to make a perilous escape, hidden by the blizzard...”

Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

But after that, where she fled, whether her injuries healed, or if the fetus in her womb was harmed... he didn’t know. He couldn’t even bring himself to imagine that scene, for every detail would make his heart bleed.

At that moment, how utterly alone and helpless she must have been...

“Father Emperor always said that great fortune follows great hardship,” Feng Xue’er gently and sweetly comforted him. “For her to turn such a perilous moment into safety, it must be that even Heaven couldn’t bear to see her harmed and has been protecting her all along.”

“Mm, your words, Xue’er, put my mind greatly at ease,” Yun Che said with a smile. It wasn’t long, however, before his expression subtly darkened again...

From Xuanyuan Yufeng’s memories, he also saw... that the great disaster of Ice Cloud Immortal Palace was also connected to her!

And the one more directly involved was Ling Kun!

“Brother Yun... Brother Yun!!”

A hurried shout came from behind—it was Ling Jie’s voice. Yun Che’s expression became complicated, and after a moment of hesitation, he gradually came to a halt.

Ling Jie had chased with all his might, and now that he had finally caught up, he was panting with exhaustion. Yun Che turned to face him, asking, “Xiao Jie, do you wish you could run me through with a sword right now?”

Ling Jie shook his head, shaking it vigorously. “No... How could I... I... I came to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Yun Che smiled faintly. “Why thank me? I just caused massive chaos at your Heavenly Sword Villa, berated your father and grandfather, and nearly killed your mother. It’s enough that you don’t want to kill me... and you want to thank me?”

Ling Jie shook his head again, this time with even greater emphasis. He looked directly into Yun Che’s eyes and said sincerely, “Because I know you spared my mother for my sake... Back then, just because the Burning Heaven Clan kidnapped your relatives, you annihilated their entire clan. A few months ago, it was rumored you killed many princes of the Divine Phoenix Nation... And my mother did something many, many times worse than the Burning Heaven Clan, yet you... yet you... you were clearly so furious, but you let her go. Truly, thank you. I will remember your act of mercy for the rest of my life... My mother’s mistakes, I... I will also do everything in my power to atone for them.”

“…” Yun Che quietly watched Ling Jie for a long time... Though they hadn’t seen each other in over three years, and Ling Jie’s aura, physique, and appearance had changed significantly, his eyes remained as clear as a fresh spring. His heart was gently stirred. He reached out and lightly patted Ling Jie’s shoulder. “Xiao Jie, you don’t need to thank me, and certainly don’t mention any ‘great kindness.’ Have you forgotten? We’re good brothers.”

Ling Jie’s eyes brightened, gradually becoming a little moist. “Can I... can I... can I still call you ‘Boss’ like before?”

“Nonsense, of course you can!” Yun Che’s hand on Ling Jie’s shoulder gave a vigorous shake. “Don’t forget, you lost to me and became my junior brother back then! Are you trying to renege on our agreement now?”

“No... of course not!” Ling Jie’s eyes welled up. He took a deep breath, striving to keep his tears from falling. “Boss, I knew you wouldn’t die so easily... I’ve finally, finally seen you again! And you’ve become so... so incredibly powerful. Meeting you in this life is Ling Jie’s greatest fortune.”

Ling Jie’s voice trembled with joy and excitement, something Yun Che could clearly hear and feel.

“No, I am the fortunate one,” Yun Che said sincerely. “Xiao Jie, do you know that six years ago, on the very first day we met, it was I who suggested we compare three sword moves, with the loser becoming the junior brother... At that time, I was actually just intending to use your identity as the Young Master of Heavenly Sword to make things easier for my future endeavors... Later, for my sake, you ventured alone into the Burning Heaven Clan. To prevent your grandfather from killing me, you put your life on the line, standing before his sword. And it was you who traveled alone thousands of miles to the Divine Phoenix Nation just to support me... I truly don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such sincere devotion from you.”

“Hehe...” Ling Jie chuckled, feeling both touched and a little embarrassed. “I’m your junior brother, after all; it’s only right to do things for the boss. Moreover, being able to follow in your footsteps has always been... a very special and irreplaceable source of pride for me.”

“Hahahahaha...” Yun Che laughed. “Xiao Jie, just for those words, I will definitely become a figure who dominates the world, and I will never let you down.”

His laughter ceased, and Yun Che’s expression grew serious. The change in his demeanor caused Ling Jie’s smile to involuntarily recede. “Boss, do you... have something you want to tell me?”

“Xiao Jie, we haven’t seen each other in three years. Your profound strength has advanced so significantly; that must be connected to your time at the Heavenly Might Sword Region, correct?” Yun Che asked in a calm tone.

“Mm.” Ling Jie nodded. “Grandfather dotes on me and treats me very well, though he’s also quite strict. For the past three years, he’s even spent most of his time personally instructing me in the Heavenly Might Absolute Sword. He also secured a great many sacred-level resources for me.”

As he spoke of these things, Ling Jie’s eyes lit up. Yun Che had ascertained many years ago that while Ling Jie was pure-hearted and outspoken, at his core, he was also utterly obsessed with the sword. To be able to practice swordsmanship in a place of the Heavenly Might Sword Region’s caliber, under the guidance of an Emperor, was naturally a lifelong dream for him.

“What I’m about to say may leave you bewildered, unsettled, or even disgusted. But I must say it.” Yun Che’s expression was incredibly solemn.

“Ah?” Ling Jie’s expression tensed.

“This time, the two elders from the Heavenly Might Sword Region have arrived, presumably to take you back to see your grandfather, Xuanyuan Jue. I imagine this is something you’ve been anticipating since returning to the villa. However, I hope you... do not return to the Heavenly Might Sword Region.”

“Ah? Why?” Ling Jie asked, bewildered.

“I cannot explain it clearly to you,” Yun Che said, shaking his head slightly. “Perhaps if you remain in the Heavenly Might Sword Region long enough, you might discover the truth with your own eyes, but by then, it could be too late. I can only tell you that while the Heavenly Might Sword Region might appear to be a sacred land of the sword to you, beneath its facade, it is far dirtier and much more terrifying than you can imagine. I do not wish for you to become too entangled with the Heavenly Might Sword Region, to have your diamond-like spirit sullied, or to eventually find yourself unable to break free.”

“I...” Ling Jie’s face was filled with confusion.

“Furthermore, I don’t wish for you to inherit Heavenly Sword Villa. In terms of both swordsmanship talent and progress, you surpass your elder brother, Ling Yun. In that regard, you would be far more legitimately suited to inherit the position of Heavenly Sword Villa Master. However, being the Villa Master is not merely a title and honor; it carries immense responsibility, pressure, and helplessness. At times, one may even be forced to compromise their own will and character because of that title... Ling Yun’s disposition is much more stable than yours. For the future position of Villa Master, he is far more suitable than you.”

Ling Jie fell silent.

Patting Ling Jie’s shoulder, Yun Che withdrew his hand, stepped back, and offered a faint smile. “Xiao Jie, I’ve said all I wanted to say. Ultimately, you must forge your own path in life; consider others’ words merely as reference. From now on, if you encounter any difficulties you can’t resolve, you can always come find me at the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace.”

Waving to the stunned Ling Jie, Yun Che took Feng Xue’er’s small hand and flew away towards the north.

“Boss!!”

From behind, Ling Jie’s full-throated shout suddenly rang out: “You are the person I trust most... so I will listen to you... I won’t return to the Heavenly Might Sword Region... Starting tomorrow... I will leave Heavenly Sword Villa... I’ll roam the world alone... dispensing justice... to clear Heavenly Sword Villa’s name... I will diligently search for Fairy Ice Chan... to atone for my mother’s sins... I, Ling Jie... will keep my word!”

Yun Che turned his head. Ling Jie, in his sight, was merely a blurry black silhouette. He smiled faintly, and the heaviness in his heart eased considerably.