Chapter 873: Star God Blood

Yun Che lay back on the rooftop, sighing softly. "I've already lost my Little Fairy... how can I stand by and lose you too?" He murmured, "But what should I do...?"

"An'er, we're going to visit your great-grandfather now, so be a good boy." The gentle, wind-like voice of Seventh Under Heaven drifted from not far away. She held her swaddled infant with a warm smile, her steps light and slow. Xiao Yun was inseparable from her side, occasionally doting on their son.

Xiao Yong'an's arrival made the already deeply affectionate couple even happier and more content. Even the shadow of a disaster that had unsettled the entire city could not diminish their joy.

"Brother Yun, who do you think An'er will resemble more when he grows up?""Of course, he'll be like you. If he's more like you, he'll definitely be even more handsome.""Hehe... An'er, did you hear that? You need to look at Mommy more every day so you'll grow up to be a handsome man. Also, when you grow up, you must respectfully honor Great-Grandfather and Uncle Yun Che. If it weren't for Uncle Yun Che, Mommy and Daddy might never have seen you again."

"Speaking of Big Brother," Xiao Yun sighed softly, "I haven't seen him these past few days, and I wonder how he is now..." He continued, "I just feel like he's been very different lately."Yun Che remained silent.

"I've felt it too," Seventh Under Heaven said wistfully. "Before, whenever I saw Big Brother Yun, I always sensed a powerful aura, a feeling of immense security. But ever since he returned from the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley, every time I see him, he seems... preoccupied."

"I probably know why," Xiao Yun said worriedly. "Big Brother Yun used all his strength to save our child, but his own child... must be five years old by now, and he hasn't even met them, and their very existence is unknown..." He continued, "That's always been the most painful spot in his heart. Now he's saved our child but can't find his own. Even for Big Brother, it must be agonizing and filled with self-reproach that he can't let go of. I'm awkward with words and don't know how to comfort him... I can only hope Big Brother can overcome this soon."

"Big Brother Yun will definitely be fine," Seventh Under Heaven said with full confidence.

Silently watching the couple walk away, Yun Che sighed to himself. So, I’ve already caused so many people to worry about me. It seems I really need to adjust my state of mind.He wondered how Yuanba was doing. Xia Yuanba was one of the few potential threats in Xuanyuan Wentian's eyes. Given Xuanyuan Wentian's clearly twisted disposition, Xia Yuanba, being in the Profound Sky Continent, would surely fall into his clutches... He hoped Yuanba could escape the danger.

Yun Che closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the world of the Sky Poison Pearl.

The emerald green world was quiet, making Hong'er's deep snores exceptionally clear.

"Hong'er, wake up!" Yun Che came to the bedside and patted Hong'er's little bottom. This jade bed was originally Jasmine's resting place, but since Hong'er arrived, she had occupied it round the clock. After all, she basically just ate and slept. Sometimes, when summoned, she would still be sound asleep within the sword, not even waking if prodded for half an hour.

"Mmm..." Hong'er was gently patted awake by Yun Che. She opened her eyes and said drowsily, "Master, I was having a very delicious dream. Why did you suddenly wake me up?"

"A... delicious... dream!?""Hong'er," Yun Che asked, helping her tiny body sit upright, "did your Sister Jasmine leave something with you for me? When she left?"

"Huh?" Hong'er blinked her sleepy eyes, tugged at her vermilion hair, and then suddenly said with a wronged expression, "I don't know. I'm hungry right now, so I can't remember anything."

"Ugh..." Yun Che reached out and grabbed two crystalline longswords, which emitted a King Profound aura. "Alright, eat up."

"Wow! Thank you, Master!!"Hong'er was instantly wide awake, her eyes shining. She grabbed the two King Profound swords, opened her mouth wide, and with a "crunch," a tooth-shaped notch appeared on a sword blade tougher than even profound iron.

Although he was long accustomed to the "terrifying" nature of Hong'er's teeth, every time he saw it, he still felt a deep sense of trepidation.

As Hong'er wolfed them down, in the blink of an eye, the two King Profound swords were completely devoured, not even a speck of residue left. She patted her little belly, which showed no change at all, contentedly. Then, she suddenly exclaimed shrilly, "I remember! Sister Jasmine told me to give this to Master!"

Hong'er raised her small hand, holding up a bright white glow.

Yun Che's lips twitched slightly. He reached out and gently took the white glow in his hand.

Instantly, a voice from Jasmine emanated from the white glow, resounding in his mind.

"Yun Che, that day, when I reconstructed my body, I borrowed three drops of your essence blood and promised to give you a drop of Star God blood as compensation. Now, as promised, I bestow this drop of Star God blood upon you."

"The refinement of Star God power requires an extremely special method; with your current power, you cannot refine the divine energy within it. However, it can multiply the lifespan you lost due to the three drops of essence blood."

"If I can no longer remain by your side, then this drop of Star God blood is my final gift to you."

Yun Che stared blankly at the white glow in his hand... Star God blood, this was Jasmine's essence blood...

As his consciousness blurred, the Star God blood, still entwined with the white glow, suddenly flew from his palm, soared towards his glabella, and then forcefully integrated into his body.

Yun Che's consciousness instantly left the world of the Sky Poison Pearl. At the same time, a strange sensation, both warm and cold, rapidly spread from his glabella throughout his entire body. He quickly sat up and concentrated his mind to begin absorbing the Star God blood.

After a brief period of discomfort, the Star God blood gradually and completely fused with his body. His five senses became clearer, a surging profound energy filled his entire body, and he felt a subtle strengthening of his physique. However, beyond that, his profound energy showed no change.

Just as Jasmine's voice had stated, it could significantly increase Yun Che's lifespan, but it offered virtually no improvement to his profound strength.

The Star God blood completely integrated into his body. Yun Che opened his eyes, feeling a deep sense of warmth fill his entire being and his heart. He raised his head and softly murmured to himself, looking into the distance, "Jasmine, did you really leave this drop of Star God blood just to compensate me...?"

As he whispered, a faint smile subtly formed on the corners of his mouth.

***

Cangyun Continent, Jiangdong Region of the Fusu Kingdom, at the foot of Taisu Mountain.

A vast bamboo forest stretched from the foot of Taisu Mountain all the way to the distant Southern Gate of Taisu Sect. Its branches were dense, and from afar, a rich emerald green filled the entire view.

On ordinary days, the swaying bamboo leaves always brought a refreshing breeze that invigorated one's spirit, as if even the soul was being gently cleansed.

But today, the wind from the bamboo forest carried the pungent smell of crimson blood.

Slash!!!With a vicious flash of a blade, blood spurted, and a tall figure fell heavily. Around him, corpses were already piled high.

"Old Seven!!"Su Hengshan rushed over, embracing the man's body, his wide eyes filled with bloody tears. The last person who had held firm by his side had also fallen. The ground beneath his feet and the surrounding bamboo leaves were stained red with blood, and corpses filled his entire vision. These were all people who had used their lives to shield him and defend the last shred of Taisu Sect's dignity...Now, apart from himself, all of them had fallen.

"Sect Master... quickly... go..." the tall man painfully whispered, then closed his eyes and drew his last breath.

"Old Seven!!!!" Su Hengshan let out a heart-wrenching roar, his body trembling violently with pain and resentment.

"Hehehe, my dear father, you've disappointed me greatly."

A vast crowd surrounded Su Hengshan. Some wore the attire of Taisu Sect, while others were dressed in black — strikingly, the garb of Blackwood Cliff. Standing at the very front was Su Hengshan's only son, Su Haoran.

"You promised us that as long as Ling'er was allowed to leave safely, you would honestly hand over the treasure key. Yet, you went back on your word, foolishly resisted, and needlessly caused the deaths of so many people... Tsk, tsk, after all, they were my elders and fellow disciples. It's truly heartbreaking to watch."

Su Haoran wore a faint, arrogant smile, befitting one in control, yet there wasn't a hint of pity on his face.

Third Elder Su Hengyue and Grand Elder Su Wangji were present, and even Hei Muqingya of Blackwood Fortress. All of them wore cold smiles, but their positions... were all behind Su Haoran.

Further back were people from Blackwood Cliff, and... a full eighty percent of Taisu Sect's disciples!

The Taisu Sect disciples who followed Su Hengshan amounted to a mere, pitiful twenty percent... all of whom had now been tragically slaughtered.

"You... you beast!!" Su Hengshan turned around, his trembling finger pointing at Su Haoran, his bloodshot eyes filled with endless grief and sorrow.

"All these years... I was always on guard against Su Hengyue and Blackwood Fortress... I never expected... it would be you, you beast... Cough, cough cough..." Su Hengshan's body swayed as he coughed up large amounts of fresh blood.

"Heh heh," Su Hengyue sneered, "Haoran is far stronger than you, an unyielding, stubborn waste. By boarding the great ship that is Wenxue Tower, our Taisu Sect can instantly flourish like the midday sun, and no one in the entire Fusu Kingdom will dare to bully us. And if Haoran is accepted as a disciple of the Seven Stars Divine Palace, tsk tsk, that's far more than just bringing glory to our ancestors."

"Hehehe," Hei Muqingya glanced at Su Hengshan with eyes full of pleasure and pity, then bowed his head to Su Haoran and said, "Young Sect Master, when you enter the Seven Stars Divine Palace in the future, please don't hesitate to offer a little guidance."

"Hahahahaha," Su Haoran laughed arrogantly, triumphantly. "Naturally. If it weren't for Fortress Master Blackwood, how could I have had the opportunity to gain the favor of the Seven Stars Divine Palace?"

"Su Hengshan," Su Haoran called him by his full name, "all those who didn't know their place are already dead. You should obediently hand over the treasure key as soon as possible to avoid more suffering. After all, tormenting one's own father can shorten one's life, you know."

"You scoundrel, you beasts... even if I die, you'll never get the treasure key!!" Su Hengshan declared fiercely, clutching the blood-stained sword tightly, his entire body radiating an astonishing malevolent aura. "One day... you will all face retribution!!"

"Retribution?" Su Haoran's eyes narrowed, and he burst into wild laughter. "Hahahahaha, you're not talking about that Yun Che person, are you? Tsk tsk tsk, how pathetic. You've been daydreaming for six years and still haven't woken up. Speaking of which, I even specifically had people from the Seven Stars Divine Palace inquire about Yun Che and Xia Qingyue. It turns out that at their level, those names simply don't exist. This means even the names they told you back then were fake, and you're still dreaming that he'll truly return to marry Ling'er... Oh, it's truly a shame my poor sister foolishly waited for six years."

"Divine Palace Emissary has arrived."

At that moment, a low shout came from behind. Just five words, but they caused everyone present to drastically change their expressions. Simultaneously, a figure appeared like a ghost beside Su Haoran. His face was stern, he was dressed entirely in black, and seven intertwined stars were tattooed on his chest.

Seeing this person, everyone bowed down in a flurry, as if a true god had descended. "Greetings, Divine Palace Emissary."

"Hmm," the Divine Palace Emissary responded with a faint, dismissive sound through his nostrils.

"Divine Palace Emissary, Haoran was unaware of your sudden visit and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me." Facing the black-clad figure, Su Haoran's earlier arrogance completely vanished, replaced by a face full of terror and unease.

"Hmph," the Divine Palace Emissary coldly snorted, glancing at Su Hengshan. "Is that the Su Hengshan?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Divine Palace Emissary's insight is truly like a torch!" Su Haoran quickly flattered him.

"Heh, so ruthless even towards his own father. Truly someone who can achieve great things," the Divine Palace Emissary said with an ambiguous smile, making it hard to tell if it was praise or sarcasm.

"Thank... thank you for the praise, Divine Palace Emissary. It is Haoran's fortune of three lifetimes to be able to serve the Divine Palace." Su Haoran spoke cautiously. Behind him, Su Hengyue, Hei Muqingya, and the others also bowed their heads deeply, not daring to even breathe heavily.

"Where is the item?" the Divine Palace Emissary asked coldly.

"Uh..." Su Haoran's heart panicked, and he said, sweating profusely, "We've searched the entire Taisu Sect, but we haven't found it. The only one who knows about the treasure key is... only him."

"Hmph!" The Divine Palace Emissary's gaze turned cold. "You have the man right in front of you, yet so many of you can't even force one item out of him. What a bunch of wastes."

Su Haoran's throat gulped hard, and he quickly said, "He... he originally promised to hand over the treasure key if we let his daughter leave safely. Unexpectedly, he suddenly went back on his word. However, please rest assured, Divine Palace Emissary, he is already in our hands. Forcing the treasure key out of him is just a matter of time."

"His daughter?" The Divine Palace Emissary's eyes narrowed. "Hmph, since he cares so much about his daughter, then bring her back. At that point, we'll see if he can still be so stubborn."

Su Haoran's eyes lit up, and he repeatedly echoed, "Divine Palace Emissary is brilliant! Haoran will send people to capture Su Ling'er right away..."

When the gravely wounded Su Hengshan heard this, he instantly roared like a desperate, enraged wolf, "You heaven-damned beasts... if you dare harm Ling'er... even as a ghost, I won't let any of you off!!"

"Wait!!" The Divine Palace Emissary suddenly looked up, his gaze abruptly turning cold and dangerous. "That treasure key... it's very likely on his daughter!!"

"Ah!" The Divine Palace Emissary's words startled everyone, and Su Hengshan's expression changed drastically... His change in expression was clearly noted by the Divine Palace Emissary. The Emissary's face darkened, and he said in a low voice, "You really let that Su Ling'er go? You didn't send anyone to secretly follow her?"

"Th-this... this..." Su Haoran was utterly flustered, stammering tremblingly, "Su Ling'er is just... just a useless little girl... I really didn't expect Su Hengshan would put something so important... I... I'll send people to get her right away..."

"Hmph, no need, you bunch of useless wastes!!" The Divine Palace Emissary turned around and spoke in a low voice towards the empty bamboo forest. "Mobilize everyone! Command the Fusu Kingdom's royal family and all sects to seal off the entire Fusu Kingdom. Find Su Ling'er for me, even if you have to dig three feet into the ground!"

"Find her alive, or find her corpse!"

"Yes," a low response came from deep within the empty bamboo forest.