Chapter 923: Unstoppable Longing

The Sun Moon Divine Hall, Heavenly Sword Villa, and profound practitioners from various nations all scrambled away, none daring to approach and greet Yun Che, this god of calamity.

Xia Yuanba's constitution was already extraordinary, and after Yun Che had slightly healed him with the energy of heaven and earth, his condition improved at an astonishing rate in a short time. Seeing everyone around them dispersing, he took a few steps towards Yun Che, unable to contain his excitement. "Brother-in-law, you've actually... you've become so incredibly powerful! How did you do it? Did your master return?"

"I'll tell you the details later," Yun Che said with a smile. "Yuanba, Xue'er and I will return to the Illusory Demon Realm right away; otherwise, they'll be worried. Do you want to come back with us?"

Xia Yuanba's eyes brightened, but after a moment of hesitation, he shook his head. "Never mind, I'll go later. It... it wouldn't look good if I suddenly became the Holy Emperor and then immediately left. I should return to the Supreme Ocean Palace first."

"Hahahaha, you're right," Yun Che burst into laughter.

"Brother-in-law," Xia Yuanba's voice dropped. "You won't really... just let the Sun Moon Divine Hall and Heavenly Sword Villa off the hook, will you?"

Yun Che smiled and said, "Yuanba, don't worry. Everyone in the Supreme Ocean Palace is now under your command, and I certainly won't do anything to them. And I firmly believe that although you are still relatively young now, in the future, the Supreme Ocean Palace will only improve under your guidance."

"..." Xia Yuanba scratched his scalp and whispered, "Actually... I have no confidence at all."

"But I have complete faith in you, after all, you possess the Heart of the Tyrant Emperor." Yun Che's words carried a hint of mystery, then he changed the subject. "However, I'm very serious about the teleportation formation. This month, first lead the Supreme Ocean Palace to focus on constructing it. Remember, when you cooperate with the Sun Moon Divine Hall and Heavenly Sword Villa, make full use of their resources. They are currently like a headless group of snakes, in a state of panic, and will be eager to prove themselves regarding this task I've given them. Don't be reluctant to take advantage of that."

While the Primordial Profound Ark possessed immensely powerful spatial travel capabilities, it contained an incredibly vast independent world. Each time it traversed space, it moved not just one or two people, but an entire world, resulting in exceptionally massive energy consumption. Even Nine Sun Jade couldn't sustain its unrestrained use.

Especially after a round trip to the Azure Cloud Continent, the Primordial Profound Ark's remaining energy plummeted to less than twenty percent. As the Profound Sky Continent and the Illusory Demon Realm were both his homes, he would certainly be traveling between them frequently in the future. Therefore, constructing a sufficiently large spatial teleportation formation was imperative.

And only the Four Great Sacred Grounds possessed the necessary power and resources to construct a teleportation array capable of connecting the two continents.

"Uh, I understand," Xia Yuanba nodded, looking a little dazed.

"Also, help me keep an eye on two individuals from the Sun Moon Divine Hall and Heavenly Sword Villa," Yun Che said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Who?"

"Xuan Yuan Wentian, the Young Sword Master of Heavenly Sword Villa whom I crippled, and Ye Xuange, the tenth-ranked elder of the Sun Moon Divine Hall."

"Ah?" Xia Yuanba was momentarily stunned, then asked, puzzled, "How should I 'take care' of them?"

"Just ensure no accidents befall them that would lead to their deaths," Yun Che replied. "I'll have a significant use for them in a month."

Xia Yuanba looked puzzled. He was about to ask more when he suddenly saw Dongfang Xiu and Qin Wushang approaching side by side behind Yun Che, their expressions quite tense. He quickly called out, "Prefect Dongfang, Prefect Qin, so you're here too?"

Dongfang Xiu and Qin Wushang walked over and bowed simultaneously, but before they could fully bend, both Yun Che and Xia Yuanba swiftly stepped aside. Yun Che immediately said, "Prefects, we were both once official disciples of the Azure Wind Profound Palace. We absolutely cannot accept such a grand salute from you."

"Yes, yes, yes," Xia Yuanba immediately nodded in agreement.

Qin Wushang sighed deeply. "Our Azure Wind Profound Palace has always been a humble, dust-like existence in the Profound Sky Continent. Even within the Azure Wind Nation, it was a joke among the powerful sects. Yet now, two individuals who emerged from our Azure Wind Profound Palace—one has become the Holy Emperor of the Supreme Ocean Palace, and the other can be called the Honored One of the world. As one of the prefects, ten thousand words cannot describe this dream-like glory."

"Both prefects exaggerate," Yun Che said. "Are you perhaps here to ask about Empress Cang Yue?"

Both nodded. Dongfang Xiu said, "Her Majesty the Empress has been away for several months. Witnessing Palace Master Yun's magnificence today, we are certain Her Majesty is safe and well."

"You can rest assured," Yun Che said with a faint smile. "Now that Xuan Yuan Wentian is dead, there is nothing under heaven that can threaten her or the safety of the Azure Wind Nation. During her time in the Illusory Demon Realm, she has always been concerned about the Azure Wind Nation. Once the teleportation array is completed in a month, she will return to the imperial family. For this coming month, I will have to trouble both of you prefects with a lot of work."

"In that case, we are relieved," the two prefects smiled with joy.

"Venerable Purple," Yun Che said, his voice dropping to a commanding tone, "Send someone to escort the two prefects back to the Azure Wind Nation."

Venerable Purple turned around, paused briefly in surprise, then quickly stepped forward and said quite respectfully, "Yes... esteemed guests, please follow me."

To be addressed as "esteemed guests" by a Sacred Ground Venerable and to have specialized escorts dispatched for them, the two prefects were immediately overwhelmed with gratitude. Even their departing footsteps seemed unusually light.

The people from the Phoenix Divine Sect approached. Feng Hengkong, leading them, looked at Yun Che, then at Feng Xue'er. His lips quivered for a long time before he finally spoke with a complex expression, "Yun Che, please bring Xue'er back to Phoenix City often to visit."

"Imperial Father, now that Brother Yun has become so powerful, there will be no more dangers like before. Brother Yun and I will visit frequently," Feng Xue'er chuckled lightly.

"If you're truly sincere, you could try establishing one or two spatial profound formations from Flowing Cloud City or the Frozen Cloud Asgard to Phoenix City. That way, it would be much more convenient if Xue'er wanted to visit," Yun Che said expressionlessly.

Feng Hengkong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded slightly. While constructing a spatial teleportation array connecting two continents was utterly beyond the Phoenix Divine Sect's capabilities, connecting two nations... that was certainly not difficult.

"Xue'er..." Feng Hengkong hesitated for a long time, ultimately deciding not to mention Feng Ximing. Reluctantly, he said, "We're leaving; there's still too much to deal with back in Phoenix City. You must take good care of yourself and never let yourself suffer any grievances."

The Supreme Ocean Palace, Sun Moon Divine Hall, and Heavenly Sword Villa departed one after another. The Supreme Ocean Palace began cleaning up the mess, and finally, the Phoenix Divine Sect left. Unlike their arrival with a determination to die, they departed with an unprecedented sense of relief.

This was because their Phoenix Divine Sect had not only completely escaped the threat of annihilation, but the new Phoenix God had also truly awakened—and was clearly even more powerful than the ancestral Phoenix God.

After bidding farewell to Xia Yuanba, the new Holy Emperor, Yun Che returned to the Illusory Demon Realm with Feng Xue'er that same day, informing his parents and the Little Demon Empress of Xuan Yuan Wentian's death.

This news quickly spread throughout Demon Imperial City. Without a doubt, the city, which had been suppressed in the shadows for several months, erupted in thunderous cheers. This was not merely the death of an enemy; it was pulling Demon Imperial City, and indeed the entire Illusory Demon Realm, out of the abyss of destruction.

Demon Imperial City completely lifted its defensive stance, and those who had fled the city gradually returned. The terrible disaster that was believed to be imminent had now vanished without a trace.

Over on the Profound Sky Continent, the Four Great Sacred Grounds spared no effort in constructing the spatial profound teleportation array requested by Yun Che.

With Xuan Yuan Wentian dead, his dream of becoming the Heavenly Sovereign was completely shattered. The Four Great Sacred Grounds had personally witnessed and experienced Xuan Yuan Wentian's terror, making it easy to imagine the immense power of Yun Che, who had killed him. From that day forward, they would all clearly understand that they were no longer the peak existences of the Profound Sky Continent. Above them, a person had emerged who could freely decide their very existence.

And this person was someone they had previously offended multiple times, even plotting against him.

This compelled them to fear Yun Che and adopt the lowest possible stance, acting with extreme caution. They dared not show the slightest negligence regarding the spatial teleportation array he requested.

Upon returning to the Divine Phoenix Nation, the Phoenix Divine Sect began repairing Phoenix City. Feng Hengkong did not take Yun Che's words lightly; instead, he immediately dispatched two groups of people to Flowing Cloud City and the Frozen Cloud Asgard, respectively, to begin constructing spatial profound arrays connecting the three locations.

Yun Che's name, without a doubt, once again spread to every corner of the Profound Sky Continent. This time, however, the impact was thousands of times greater than all previous occasions combined. Within days, he was astonishingly crowned the "Foremost Person in a Thousand Ages" of the Profound Sky Continent.

Yun Che paid no attention to any of this. After returning to the Illusory Demon Realm, he quietly recuperated. Seven or eight days later, his injuries had fully healed.

In the early morning, as light seeped through the bamboo window and fell upon Yun Che's body, his eyelids fluttered. Drowsily, he murmured, "Jasmine, what time is it now?"

Receiving no reply, Yun Che slowly opened his eyes. He sat up from the bed, staring at the snow-white wall, his gaze momentarily distant.

Jasmine had already been gone for several months.

Yet he still hadn't fully emerged from this reality... or rather, he still hadn't fully accepted it.

Previously, after Jasmine left, he was first ambushed by Jie Yuan and nearly died. After that, he had been constantly under the shadow of Xuan Yuan Wentian, having no time for anything else. Now that Xuan Yuan Wentian was dead and there was no one else in the world who could threaten him, his mind completely relaxed. His longing for Jasmine surged, unstoppable.

In his life, the dearest person to him was Xiao Lingxi, but the one who understood him best was undoubtedly Jasmine.

From initially merely using each other, their feelings underwent a qualitative change without them realizing it. Later, their emotional dependency transformed into an almost instinctive habit. Only when Jasmine truly left him did he realize that it wasn't just a physical separation; it was distinctly a feeling of a large part of his body and soul being severed.

And it could never be repaired, forever incomplete.

"Jas... mine..." he called out distractedly, raising his head to look upwards. "Where are you..."

This state of despondency lasted for nearly half an hour before he finally got out of bed and walked out into the courtyard.

It was still early. With the state of alert lifted, the Yun family disciples, whose spirits had been tense for months, were now recuperating, with their resting hours significantly extended. Consequently, the surroundings were quiet. Yun Che walked quite a distance and saw a middle-aged man in simple white clothes slowly practicing under an old tree.

Just as Yun Che spotted him, he also happened to see Yun Che. He stopped his movements and smiled gently, "Che'er, you're up so early."

"Senior Su, you're the one. Your injuries aren't fully healed yet, so please don't push yourself," Yun Che said, stepping forward.

Su Hengshan chuckled easily, patting his chest. "It's long been fine. Senior Yun Gu truly lives up to his reputation as the legendary Medical Saint; his medical skills are nothing short of miraculous. I always thought something like severing one's heart meridians was beyond saving, even for a reborn Golden Immortal. Yet, under Senior Yun Gu's masterful hands, I'm practically as good as new now."

"Of course," Yun Che smiled. "I estimate that in half a month at most, Senior Su's profound energy will also be fully restored. Senior Su, are you getting used to living here?"

Su Hengshan's smile faded slightly, replaced by an even gentler expression. "It's embarrassing to admit, though I am a sect master, I've only stepped out of Jiangdong a handful of times in my entire life. I thought it would be difficult to adapt to a different way of living, but unexpectedly, I've felt incredibly relaxed during my time here."

Su Hengshan shook his head with a smile. "These can truly be called the most pleasant days of my life; I haven't missed my life in the Taisu Sect at all. It seems I'm really not suited to be a sect master. Especially seeing Ling'er not only safe and sound, having found you, but also fortunate enough to become the Medical Saint's disciple and smiling so warmly every day, I increasingly realize how foolish it was to sever my heart meridians that day. If I had truly died, I can't imagine what kind of smile would have been on Ling'er's face. I was truly... impulsive and foolish back then."

Recalling how he severed his own heart meridians that day to avoid burdening Yun Che, allowing him to save Ling'er without hindrance, he still felt a profound sense of lingering fear.

"It's good that Senior Su likes it here," Yun Che said. "From now on, just treat this place as your home. And," Yun Che smiled mysteriously, "actually, what Ling'er is most concerned about is your 'lifelong matter,' Senior Su. Since you've started a new life in a new world, after your injuries heal, you should consider finding a female confidante for your new life."

"..." Su Hengshan was stunned, clearly having never considered the question. He said somewhat awkwardly, "This... Ling'er's mother passed away early, and I..."

"Huh? Dad, Brother Yun Che, why are you both up so early?"

As the two men conversed, a voice like a clear spring in a secluded valley drifted towards them. Su Ling'er walked over lightly, smiling as she looked at the two most important men in her life. "What are you two talking about?"

"Men's business, of course," Yun Che said with a beaming smile.

Su Ling'er's pink lips parted slightly, and her nose tilted up. "You're not talking about... something bad, are you? Brother Yun Che, you... you absolutely must not turn my dad into a philanderer like you."

"..." Yun Che was immediately flustered, while Su Hengshan was already tilting his head back and laughing loudly.

"Dad, you're still laughing! You don't even know, Brother Yun Che has Sister Cang Yue, Sister Xue'er, and even the Little Demon Empress... and he even married another sister when he was only sixteen..." Su Ling'er, having no need for reservations in front of her father, began listing Yun Che's "crimes," finally adding a very cautious remark: "He's nothing like the Brother Yun Che I knew before..."

"Hahahaha..." Su Hengshan laughed even more heartily. Yun Che's name was known to everyone in Demon Imperial City, and in recent days, Su Hengshan had become fully aware of Yun Che's various circumstances. He said with a smile, "Ling'er, you were only ten years old when you first met Che'er; of course, things would be different."

"...You wouldn't understand even if I told you!" Su Ling'er stepped forward and linked arms with Yun Che. "Brother Yun Che, I'm going outside the city to gather herbs. Will you come with me?"

"Gathering herbs?" Yun Che asked, his face full of confusion. "The Yun family has all sorts of medicinal herbs; why would you need to go outside the city to gather them?"

"Gathering herbs is secondary; the main reason is to identify all kinds of herbs," Su Ling'er said seriously. "Master said that to become a true healer, knowing all kinds of strange flowers, medicinal herbs, poisonous plants, and poisonous insects is the most fundamental requirement. Master is resting now and can't be disturbed, so Brother Yun Che, you're naturally the most suitable temporary master. Let's go!"

After speaking, Su Ling'er playfully blinked her eyes. She was, apart from Yun Che himself, the only person in this world who knew he was once a disciple of Yun Gu.

"Ah... okay."

Yun Che bid farewell to Su Hengshan and left hand-in-hand with Su Ling'er.

Watching the two of them from afar, so intimately close, Su Hengshan kept smiling. Having only arrived in the Illusory Demon Realm ten days ago, he had already begun to feel that this kind of life might be more suitable for him—no longer needing to bear burdens or be wary, no more pressure, heartbreak, forbearance, anger, or sorrow. Long ago, he had felt completely unsuited to be a sect master, and now he was even more convinced.

"It seems it truly is time to find myself a companion again," Su Hengshan muttered to himself with a smile. "At least it might make Ling'er worry a little less."

To the east of Demon Imperial City lay a small jungle area, abundant with herbs. Upon entering, Su Ling'er began at the edge, meticulously picking and identifying various flowers and herbs one by one, her expression very serious.

"Azure Stone Flower... Wutong Grass... Cold Silk Seed... This is called... Youyi Grass, I think?"

"No, this is Houttuynia vine," Yun Che immediately corrected her. "Its appearance is very similar to Youyi Grass, but there are still subtle differences on the leaves. If you smell it up close, the scent will be very distinctly different. Houttuynia vine has a very faint fishy smell."

Su Ling'er gently picked it up and sniffed it, then exclaimed softly, "It really is! Brother Yun Che, how can you recognize it instantly from so far away?"

Although Su Ling'er had inexplicably recovered her memories of her previous life, her temperament clearly leaned towards this one. Gone was the perpetual melancholy of her past, replaced by the flawless innocence and vivacity of a sixteen-year-old girl. Yun Che adopted an old-fashioned, sagely posture. "Ling'er, you've only just started learning medicine. It's already amazing that you know so much; there's no need to rush. After all, I traveled the Azure Cloud Continent with Master for twenty years, dealing with all sorts of medicinal herbs every day. It would be hard not to be familiar with them. Later on, any medicinal herb I encountered, I could immediately identify just by smelling it, without even needing to see it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Che paused. He could easily brag about these things to other women, but Ling'er already knew them perfectly well.

"Hehe..." Su Ling'er stuck out her tongue at him. "Yes, yes, yes, Brother Yun Che is so amazing! Now hurry and teach me!"

Guided by Su Ling'er's eager desire for knowledge, Yun Che switched into mentor mode.

"This red flower is called Dragon Blood Vine. It's useless for treating illnesses but can be used to refine medicinal pills that aid cultivation."

"This is Zuo Lingzi; it's cold in nature and can be eaten directly..."

"This is Quechi Flower, a medicinal flower that can be directly crushed and applied externally. It can also neutralize some minor snake venom."

"This is..."

"I know this one... it's a jasmine flower!"

"..." Yun Che's soul felt as if it had been fiercely pricked by something, and he froze on the spot.

"Wow! Such a large patch of jasmine flowers! To actually grow in a place like this, it's almost as if someone carefully planted them."

Ahead was a damp, shaded patch of land where a large expanse of pure white jasmine flowers bloomed profusely. At a glance, there were hundreds of plants. The flowers were small, yet pure white and flawless; their fragrance was faint, yet so elegant it could almost cleanse the soul.

The Su Ling'er of "the previous life" loved jasmine flowers, and the current Su Ling'er was no different. She almost rapturously admired the blooming sea of jasmine, her usual keen desire for knowledge momentarily suppressed. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrance deeply for a moment, then turned around and said with a smile, "Brother Yun Che, do you think the jasmine flowers here might be..."

Having been facing away from Yun Che just moments ago, she hadn't noticed his unusual state. Now, turning around, she saw him with a dazed expression, his eyes misty, and a distinctly sorrowful look on his face. Her heart seized with anxiety, she quickly rushed to Yun Che and embraced him. "Brother Yun Che, what's wrong?"

"..." Su Ling'er's call instantly brought him back to his senses. He quickly forced a smile and said, "It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something."

"Did you think of... someone?" Su Ling'er looked up, feeling Yun Che's rather erratic heartbeat, and softly asked, "Is the person related to jasmine flowers a girl?"

"..." Yun Che opened his arms and gently embraced Su Ling'er as he spoke, saying guiltily, "Ling'er, you are right by my side. I know I shouldn't be thinking of anyone else, but I..."

"Brother Yun Che," Su Ling'er, however, shook her head and smiled softly. In that moment, she seemed to shed the naivety of a sixteen-year-old, transforming back into the Su Ling'er who had always doted on him boundlessly. "It's okay, I like you as you are now. Do you remember what I said when I was in your arms back then?"

Yun Che was silent.

"Never again betray a girl willing to give everything for you... and never abandon a girl for whom you are willing to give everything. If Brother Yun Che's heart cannot be complete due to some regret, then my heart will also forever be incomplete," Su Ling'er whispered softly, her voice like a dream.

Having lived two lives across two worlds, and having experienced true separation by life and death, as well as loss and recovery, she clearly knew what she wanted. She also understood, even more clearly, what it felt like for a soul to be incomplete.

"She is my master..." Yun Che said softly.

Su Ling'er was silent.

"She left, and every word she spoke when she departed was heartless," Yun Che said, closing his eyes. His voice was calm. In front of Su Ling'er, he could freely express the suppressed thoughts deep within his soul. "She severed our master-disciple relationship, saying we would never meet again, and even told me never to try and find her. But I know her words were false; she must have been reluctant to leave me. Although there are many things about her that I don't know, her personality, her thoughts, her concern for me, and the occasional dependency she showed—I understand them better than anyone else in this world. But the place she went to is too far; perhaps... I truly won't be able to see her again in this lifetime."

"I had planned to part with her a long time ago, but... I overestimated myself. I didn't expect that I would be so unaccustomed to her absence; her shadow flashes through my mind countless times every day. I don't know what's wrong with me, it's as if I'm under some strange spell."

Su Ling'er silently pictured what that girl might look like in her mind, then said softly, "I trust Brother Yun Che's feelings. If she said such things, she must have had her reasons or difficulties. Even if... you truly can never see her again, you still have us, and you have me. At least, I will never leave you... Even if one day you try to drive me away, I'll shamelessly stick by your side."

Yun Che said nothing more, only holding Su Ling'er tighter. The two of them remained in front of the jasmine bushes for a very long time.