Chapter 920: Three Things

"Ah... this... I..." Xia Yuanba was utterly bewildered. Holding the Primordial Sky Ruler and the Saint Emperor Seal, he was momentarily at a loss, stammering, "I am merely... merely a junior who joined the Sacred Grounds only a few years ago. How can I... how can I..."

"Yuanba, this is no joke," Huangji Wuyu said solemnly. "Even if today's events hadn't transpired, the succession of the Saint Emperor would still have been yours. My permission for you to use the Heavenly Saint Divine Ark was, in effect, an announcement to everyone in the Sacred Grounds. This occasion merely moves things forward a little."

"But..."

"Yuanba, there's no need to decline," Ku Tong Zhenren urged. "You've already accepted the Primordial Sky Ruler and the Saint Emperor Seal and received our prostration. From this moment on, you are the new Saint Emperor of our Supreme Sacred Grounds. Henceforth, everyone in our Sacred Grounds will obey your commands."

"Yuanba, since the Sacred Grounds are now willing to accept you as their leader, that signifies their approval. What is there to refuse?" Yun Che said with a smile. "Imagine how happy and proud your father would be if he knew."

"Moreover, if they all become your subordinates, I can then consider lifting the devil poison from them."

Xia Yuanba remained bewildered for a moment longer before quickly saying, "Alright, alright, Saint Emperor, Master, seniors, please rise."

At that moment, Yun Che extended his hand. A cluster of emerald light enveloped everyone from the Supreme Sacred Grounds afflicted with the devil poison, and in an instant, purified all the poison from their bodies.

The sensation of pain and impending death vanished. The powerful practitioners of the Supreme Sacred Grounds slowly rose, as if awakening from a nightmare, each one drenched in sweat. Several Grandmasters bowed simultaneously, saying, "Thank you, Palace Master Yun, for your rescue."

"There's no need. I only did it for Yuanba's sake," Yun Che said coldly.

In a distant corner, observing the people from both the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Supreme Ocean Palace freed from the devil poison by Yun Che, Qin Wushang sighed, "Yun Che has clearly changed. He's become much gentler and more merciful than before. No one has likely forgotten how he slaughtered the entire Burning Heaven Clan over something that outsiders might have deemed insignificant."

"No," Dongfang Xiu shook his head. "It's not that his nature has changed; rather, his standing is entirely different now."

"Oh?"

"The reason Yun Che annihilated the Burning Heaven Clan back then was that, beyond his rage, he also harbored fear. Fear of any potential future repercussions. But now, hehehe, is there anyone in this world who could make him truly wary?" Dongfang Xiu chuckled.

Qin Wushang pondered for a moment, then nodded and began to smile. "Our Empress can finally return as well. With Yun Che's presence, the formerly small Blue Wind Nation is likely to become the overlord of the Profound Sky Continent."

"Hahahaha," Dongfang Xiu also burst into hearty laughter. Who could have imagined that the person Cang Yue found after traveling throughout the Blue Wind Nation under the alias Lan Xueruo would reach such a pinnacle... and, furthermore, bring the Blue Wind Nation along with him?

Eroded by devil poison and gravely injured, Huangji Wuyu's aura was incredibly weak. He stumbled forward to Yun Che, saying, "Palace Master Yun, had it not been for you, not only our Supreme Sacred Grounds but the entire Profound Sky Continent would have plunged into disaster. I, Huangji Wuyu, have twice attempted to harm you and know I have no right to seek forgiveness. Now that the Supreme Sacred Grounds has been entrusted to the new Saint Emperor, I have no regrets and place myself at your disposal."

"Saint... Saint Emperor!" Huangji Wuyu's declaration shocked everyone in the Sacred Grounds.

"Heh," Yun Che sneered. "If you wish to die, I certainly won't stop you. However, you needn't be in such a hurry to die; your life still holds value."

Huangji Wuyu remained silent.

Yun Che turned to face the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Supreme Ocean Palace, saying in a low voice, "The primary reason I saved you today is that you can still, at the very least, be considered righteous sects. Although I have cured your poison, it does not mean I have forgotten the past grievances between us. If you wish to continue living peacefully on this continent... you must agree to three conditions!"

Everyone from the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Supreme Ocean Palace felt a chill. The Purple Venerable of the Ocean Palace cautiously asked, "We are unaware of Palace Master Yun's commands, but our lives were saved by you. If it is within our power, we will spare no effort."

"Palace Master Yun, please speak. We will not refuse," Ku Tong Zhenren said.

"Good!" Yun Che nodded slightly and said with utmost calm, "First, regardless of the method, you must construct a spatial teleportation array connecting the Profound Sky Continent and the Illusory Demon Realm within thirty days! The teleportation point on the Profound Sky Continent will be located in the Extreme Ice Region, in the far north of the Blue Wind Nation, and the one in the Illusory Demon Realm will be in Demon Imperial City... I will handle the notification for Demon Imperial City myself."

Everyone exchanged glances. Back then, it took over a month for their four Sacred Grounds to jointly open a spatial passage from the Profound Sky Continent to the Illusory Demon Realm. With only two Sacred Grounds, it would be not only difficult but also astronomically expensive.

Yet, how could they refuse? The Purple Venerable of the Ocean Palace immediately said, "Palace Master Yun, rest assured, you will not be disappointed in a month's time."

"Very good, then for the second matter." Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly. "In thirty days, once the spatial profound array is complete, all of you must use the teleportation array to travel to Demon Imperial City and prostrate yourselves in apology to the Illusory Demon Imperial Family! If the Little Demon Empress decides to kill any of you, no matter who or how many, none of you are permitted to resist! This is the evil you yourselves perpetrated, and this is the retribution you deserve."

The faces of everyone from the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Supreme Ocean Palace darkened. They could not even utter a single word of protest. Although they had been manipulated by Xuanyuan Wentian back then, it was undoubtedly their own greed that had led them into his schemes. They not only brought disaster upon Demon Imperial City but also, on the Profound Sky Continent, depicted the Illusory Demon Realm as a demonic land that coveted the Profound Sky Continent.

They could deny it to the world, but how could they possibly argue before Yun Che, the "Demon Monarch" of the Illusory Demon Realm?

"Regarding the events of that year, although we were indeed misled by that old scoundrel Xuanyuan, it was a grave mistake nonetheless. When the time comes... we will certainly go to offer our apologies. Should we return alive, we will also clear the name of the Illusory Demon Realm on the Profound Sky Continent," Nine Lamentations Zhenren said remorsefully.

"Very good... then for the third condition." Yun Che's gaze shifted slightly, radiating intense killing intent. "In thirty days, I do not wish for the Sun and Moon Divine Hall and the Heavenly Might Sword Region to still exist in this world."

This single, short sentence was an unequivocal death warrant for the Sun and Moon Divine Hall and the Heavenly Might Sword Region—a cruel execution order for these two millennia-old Sacred Grounds!

The two Sacred Grounds, who had been trembling in apprehension, instantly turned ashen upon hearing this. Xuanyuan Bo immediately fell to his knees, stammering, "Palace Master Yun... mercy, please have mercy! We were also coerced by the Sword Master... oh no, by that vile scoundrel Xuanyuan Wentian,"

"Palace Master Yun," the Divine Envoys from the Divine Hall hastily stepped forward, speaking with deep reverence, "Only the Heavenly Monarch wished to pledge allegiance to that old scoundrel Xuanyuan; we had no such intention. Please... please show us mercy, Palace Master Yun. We will serve you faithfully and obey all your commands from now on."

"Heh," Yun Che sneered. "Whether you desired to pledge allegiance to Xuanyuan Wentian is of no concern to me. As for your attempt to kill me, I could perhaps choose to selectively forget that, but... a hundred years ago, your two Sacred Grounds conspired to murder the Demon Emperor and eleven elders of my Illusory Demon Yun Clan! You killed my grandfather, and more than twenty years ago, you hunted my parents, almost condemning them to eternal suffering, separating me from them for over two decades, and leading to the ruin of the Xiao family in Floating Cloud City..."

With each word Yun Che uttered, the killing intent emanating from him grew stronger. He was covered in blood and wounds, appearing on the verge of death, yet the incredibly heavy malevolence radiating from him caused these supreme experts to tremble, their chests constricting, their hearts filled with nothing but terror, unable to even conceive of resistance.

"These sins must be paid for with your blood!"

Yun Che's words and killing intent turned their faces even paler. Xuanyuan Bo cried out in anguish, "Palace Master Yun, we... we were merely following orders. Every wrong has its source, and Palace Master Yun's profound strength covers the heavens, his heart as vast as the ocean. Surely... surely you understand this principle. Ah... yes, that's right, Palace Master Yun said earlier that living people are always more useful than dead ones. Our Heavenly Might Sword Region has stood strong for millennia; we can certainly accomplish many things for Palace Master Yun. Palace Master Yun has already mercifully pardoned the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Supreme Ocean Palace. If you pardon our Sword Region, everyone within our Sword Region will completely obey your directives from now on, absolutely... absolutely without the slightest defiance."

Xuanyuan Bo spoke with extreme humility; it was clear he greatly valued his life. Following Xuanyuan Bo's lead, the Divine Envoys of the Sun and Moon Divine Hall also gritted their teeth and bowed, saying, "We acted under the Heavenly Monarch's orders previously, with absolutely no other choice. If we can receive Palace Master Yun's pardon, we will certainly regard you as our paramount leader from now on, obeying your commands without hesitation, even if it means death."

Yun Che was silent for a brief moment, then suddenly smiled. "Your words have indeed reminded me. It's true, the capabilities of two millennia-old Sacred Grounds are naturally extraordinary. If spared, it would indeed be infinitely more beneficial than your deaths. Xuanyuan Wentian and Ye Miexie, the true culprits, are already dead. If I were to take my anger out on you, wouldn't I appear cruel and heartless?"

Yun Che's words brought immense joy to everyone from the Sun and Moon Divine Hall and the Heavenly Might Sword Region. They heard him continue, "In that case, very well. Having killed Xuanyuan Wentian today, I'm actually in a rather good mood. As long as you are obedient enough in the future, I am disinclined to further stain my hands with blood."

These words pulled them entirely back from the brink of death. Everyone from the Sun and Moon Divine Hall and the Heavenly Might Sword Region prostrated themselves, saying with immense excitement, "Thank you, Palace Master Yun, for your grace in sparing our lives! We vow to follow you faithfully from this day forward, even unto death."

"Very well then, this month, you will assist the Supreme Sacred Grounds and the Heavenly Might Sword Region in jointly constructing the spatial teleportation array to connect the Profound Sky Continent and the Illusory Demon Realm. You must spare no effort, and make sure I don't discover any hidden disloyalty."

"Yes, yes, yes," Xuanyuan Bo and the others quickly assented. Having just walked through the gates of hell, they were drenched in cold sweat, nodding frantically.

Yun Che turned, his back to the Sun and Moon Divine Hall and the Heavenly Might Sword Region. Huangji Wuyu, being closest, distinctly saw an incredibly sinister curve at the corner of Yun Che's mouth the moment he turned. The killing intent in that instant was not intense, yet it felt like a steel needle from hell, fiercely piercing his soul. It caused this supreme expert, who had been Emperor of the Sacred Grounds for a millennium, to stiffen, a chill spreading through his entire body and lingering indefinitely.