Chapter 898: Cangyun's End

When he first heard Duan Heisha and the others mention the "Sky Poison Pearl," he thought it was just a coincidence of names. After all, the true Sky Poison Pearl was already in his possession, and it was impossible for two such pearls to exist in the world.

However, when Yun Gu produced a "Sky Poison Pearl," a clear soul connection instantly surged within Yun Che, and the Sky Poison Pearl inside him reacted intensely. The words "Sky Poison Pearl" materialized directly in his mind.

The Sky Poison Pearl within him was real, and the one in Yun Gu's hand was also real!

Yet, these were two completely different Sky Poison Pearls.

The Sky Poison Pearl that had merged with Yun Che's body possessed powerful purification and refining abilities but completely lacked any toxic power. Toxicity was supposed to be the Sky Poison Pearl's primary ability, but for so many years, there hadn't been a single sign of its poison recovering. Although Yun Che had never mentioned this to Jasmine, this question had troubled him many times.

In contrast, the Sky Poison Pearl in Yun Gu's hand contained pure toxic power!

It was only when this "second" Sky Poison Pearl spontaneously merged into his body that the memory imprint it carried finally resolved Yun Che's confusion…

Back on the Azure Cloud Continent, when Yun Gu entrusted the Sky Poison Pearl to Yun Che, he warned him never to release the potent venom within it. After Yun Gu's death, in his grief-stricken state, Yun Che recklessly unleashed the poison that Yun Gu had painstakingly sealed, eradicating countless people and sects. The final release completely depleted the Sky Poison Pearl's toxic power, and its very poison source flowed out with the last trace of venom.

Originally, the poison source should have returned to the Sky Poison Pearl after its recovery, but under the interference of the Samsara Mirror, the Sky Poison Pearl, having lost its source, not only strangely merged with Yun Che's body but also traveled to another world through reincarnation, causing a temporal dislocation. Although the poison source left behind on the Azure Cloud Continent didn't vanish due to the Samsara Mirror's power, after its recovery, it couldn't return to the Sky Poison Pearl. Instead, it generated its own vessel, transforming into another Sky Poison Pearl.

Now, with Yun Che's arrival, the two Sky Poison Pearls sensed each other's presence and merged once more.

It was only today that Yun Che finally understood that the Sky Poison Pearl he possessed had always been incomplete, lacking its poison source—which explained why it never exhibited any toxic power.

The one in Yun Gu's hand, conversely, contained only pure toxic power.

Now, after being displaced through time and space, the two finally reunited and became whole, concentrated entirely within Yun Che's body.

"Little brother, this… this…" Yun Gu, for once, showed an expression of profound shock.

Yun Che subtly shifted his will, and the green light on his palm instantly extinguished, all traces of poison vanishing without a trace. Compared to before, when he could only barely control the Sky Poison Pearl, being merged with it now allowed him to understand everything about it perfectly. With the return of the poison source, its Sky Poison was slowly recovering. Currently, the awakened poison had almost reached about ten percent of its original potency. If fully unleashed, it would be enough to turn a small city into a purgatory of poison.

"Senior Divine Healer," Yun Che wasn't sure how to explain, so he spoke sincerely, "This Sky Poison Pearl has now recognized this junior as its master and can be controlled at will. Thus, there will never be a situation of its power going out of control again. Please set your mind at ease, senior."

Yun Gu, after all, was no ordinary person. After a brief moment of surprise, he smiled. "That is truly wonderful. This old man can now be completely at ease."

He didn't press for reasons or delve into Yun Che's intentions. His relieved smile was heartfelt. In his eyes, Yun Che's gaze was as clear as pure water, and his words were sincere. Despite possessing immense power, he showed no arrogance or pride. Furthermore, with his ability to effortlessly crush even the three great sects of the current age, why would he covet a Sky Poison Pearl, whose true nature was unknown?

"You first bestowed upon me the great kindness of saving my life, and now you have resolved a matter of immense concern for this old man, yet I still do not know your name, little brother," Yun Gu said gently.

"Senior Divine Healer, please don't be so polite," Yun Che quickly bowed, then paused briefly. "This junior's surname is Yun, and my given name is Che. This is my dear confidante, Su Ling'er." *Yun Che… this name, you yourself gave to me, Senior.*

"Yun… Che…" Yun Gu murmured, then smiled and sighed. "As vast as clouds, as clear as water. What a truly beautiful name! Not only do we share the same surname, but it also aligns so perfectly with the heart of medicine. It seems we truly are fated."

*Buzz—* A faint hum resonated in Yun Che's mind. His lips twitched, but he couldn't speak. *As vast as clouds, as clear as water… This was precisely the meaning and hope Yun Gu had held when he gave him the name "Yun Che" back then.*

"To meet someone of your caliber, little brother, is truly the fortune of this old man's life. Your profound strength shakes the past and illuminates the present, and your demeanor is extraordinary. You must have important matters to attend to here, so I shall not impose further. Should there be anything this old man can do for you in the future, just let me know, and I will dedicate my full strength."

"Senior, please wait!" Before Yun Gu could leave, Yun Che quickly called out, asking urgently, "May I ask where you intend to go next?"

Yun Gu smiled and shook his head. "A healer has no fixed abode; wherever there is sickness, that is their home. However, this old man's lifespan has its limits, and it is time to find a successor to whom I can entrust my medical skills and the heart of medicine. Alas, the world is corrupt, and such a person is a rare find. This old man does not know when this wish will be fulfilled."

The heart of medicine… Yun Che's hands tightened slightly, and he dared not look into Yun Gu's eyes out of shame. He had carried all of Yun Gu's hopes, yet in the end, he not only failed to inherit the heart of medicine but instead went to an entirely opposite extreme…

"Senior Divine Healer," Yun Che said, "Those people you spared and let escape earlier all know that the Sky Poison Pearl was on you. Before long, this news will surely spread rapidly, becoming known throughout the world. Even if you tell people the Sky Poison Pearl is no longer with you, no one will believe it. At that time, senior, you will inevitably face unforeseen calamity because of this. Have you considered this?"

"Fortune or disaster, it is for heaven to decide," Yun Gu, however, simply shook his head. "And with the lesson given by little brother, perhaps their fear will prevent them from bothering this old man again."

"Fear is finite, but greed is limitless!" Yun Che stepped in front of Yun Gu, his voice already somewhat agitated. He was certain that if Yun Gu remained on the Azure Cloud Continent, he would soon encounter a situation similar to today's. "Senior Divine Healer, I have a solution for this matter. This junior is not from the Azure Cloud Continent but from a place called the Illusory Demon Realm. I earnestly ask you, senior, to accompany this junior to the Illusory Demon Realm. There, I can guarantee that no one will trouble you, and no one will disrespect you."

"…" Yun Gu's gaze turned, and he looked deeply at Yun Che for a moment, then shook his head. "This old man had previously speculated that little brother might be from beyond this world, and it turns out to be true. This old man is immensely grateful for your kind and sincere heart. However, my roots are, after all, planted in this land, and my medical path is also laid upon this land…"

"No, that's not right! Senior, what you're saying isn't right," Yun Che suddenly interrupted and refuted Yun Gu's words, speaking with utmost solemnity. "Senior Divine Healer possesses a heart of medicine that earns the respect of the world, and the heart of medicine is what you have upheld throughout your life. If it is a pure heart of medicine, it should aim to save more patients, to aid more people, without distinction of good or evil, race, status, or region!" Yun Gu's entire body trembled slightly.

"Since your life is dedicated to the medical path, and you uphold the heart of medicine throughout your life, then what difference is there between practicing medicine on the Azure Cloud Continent and practicing medicine in the Illusory Demon Realm? Moreover, the Illusory Demon Realm's territory is larger than the Azure Cloud Continent, with more living beings, more races, and a greater need for someone like you, senior. In the Illusory Demon Realm, you can continue to heal and save lives. I believe that within a few years, the entire Illusory Demon Realm will know of your saintly reputation. If you forcefully remain on the Azure Cloud Continent and suffer an unforeseen accident, all your life's learning, all your life's pursuit, will turn to dust. The former allows for a fulfilling life, benefiting tens of millions, while the latter… might not only save fewer people but also prevent you from finding a successor, thus depriving future generations of your beneficence."

"…" Yun Che's words left Yun Gu speechless for a long time, his eyes beginning to waver.

"Senior Divine Healer, Brother Yun Che is absolutely right. Please come with us to the Illusory Demon Realm. It's truly too dangerous for you to stay here," Su Ling'er softly pleaded.

"Senior…" Yun Che held his breath, watching Yun Gu nervously.

"Hahahahaha," Yun Gu suddenly turned his head and smiled gently. "You are right. If one's life is dedicated to medicine, then where one practices makes no difference. And only by living longer can one heal more people and save more lives. Little brother, you have enlightened this old man. It seems my heart of medicine was, after all, still somewhat lacking."

"You mean… senior, you… agreed?" Yun Che said joyfully.

"Haha," Yun Gu smiled again. "In that case, I shall impose on little brother and young lady to take this old man along."

"That's wonderful!!" Yun Che and Su Ling'er exclaimed in unison, both overcome with tears of excitement.

Watching the two young people's joyful expressions, Yun Gu also laughed heartily, and for some reason, his eyes became uncontrollably moist.

Immediately, Yun Che brought Su Ling'er and Yun Gu into the Primordial Profound Ark. After returning to the Tai Su Sect to retrieve Su Ling'er's mother's mementos, they stayed on the Azure Cloud Continent for a short period before restarting the Primordial Profound Ark, embarking on their second spatial traversal of nearly ten million miles.

With Su Ling'er by his side and his master now with him, he truly had nothing left to yearn for on the Azure Cloud Continent.

His original purpose in coming to the Azure Cloud Continent was merely to fulfill a final wish—to see Su Ling'er again—knowing he was fated to die. Unexpectedly, he not only found Ling'er but also found his master. Even the Sky Poison Pearl, which he had unknowingly possessed in an incomplete state, became a truly complete Sky Poison Pearl. The Devil Source Pearl, which was destined to claim his life, no longer posed a threat; instead, it became his own. Not only did he avoid death, but his profound strength also underwent the most exaggerated leap in history. He had also vaguely touched upon a rather terrifying secret.

This journey to the Azure Cloud Continent not only granted him everything he desired but also gave him a complete rebirth, transforming him entirely. His state of mind, too, had subtly changed without him realizing it.