Chapter 971: Fighting for Life, Jade Falls and Ice Soul (Part 1)

Yun Che’s words did not seem like an impulsive outburst from someone hot-headed. However, such claims, no matter who uttered them, would be utterly preposterous. Coming from someone who had yet to even enter the Divine Way, let alone reach the peak of the Sovereign Profound Realm, they were nothing short of a colossal joke.

“Yun Che, this is impossible,” Mu Bingyun stated calmly. “You are currently only in the mid-stage of the Sovereign Profound Realm, which is part of the Mortal Body Nine Realms. While the power you unleashed allowed you to barely defeat someone like Ji Hanfeng, a mid-stage Divine Origin Realm practitioner, you haven't truly entered the Divine Way. Although your cultivation speed in the Snow Song Realm will surely exceed what it was on the Azure Cloud Continent, achieving the Divine Origin Realm requires extensive practice and profound enlightenment.”

“Furthermore, advancing through the Seven Divine Profound Realms is far more challenging than progressing through the Mortal Body Nine Realms. After the Divine Origin Realm, each minor breakthrough becomes significantly more difficult than any advancement in the Sovereign Profound Realm. Even with exceptional talent, profound comprehension, and incredible fortune, it’s utterly impossible for you to reach the Divine Tribulation Realm in a mere two and a half years.”

“Hmph, forget about going from the Sovereign Profound Realm to the Divine Tribulation Realm,” Mu Xiaolan whispered. “In the Snow Song Realm’s history spanning hundreds of thousands of years, no one has ever broken through from the first level of the Divine Origin Realm to the first level of the Divine Soul Realm in just thirty months. How foolish.”

Yun Che fell silent.

Although Yun Che had experienced combat with Divine Way power, his profound strength remained at the Sovereign Profound Realm. He knew absolutely nothing about cultivating within the Divine Profound Realm. Mu Bingyun and Mu Xiaolan’s words were like a splash of cold water after a blow, causing his already clenched hands to tighten even further.

“It seems the person you wish to see is incredibly important to you.” Observing Yun Che’s silence, his slightly agitated aura, yet no sign of giving up, Mu Bingyun gently continued, “You don’t need to be too discouraged. There are still thirty months. I will discuss this matter with the Great Realm King as soon as possible; perhaps...”

Mu Bingyun stopped speaking, realizing that offering hope now would only lead to greater disappointment later. She was well aware that this was not merely a restriction imposed by the Four Great King Realms, but also a limitation stemming from the power of the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Pearl, making any favorable turn of events utterly impossible.

Her immediate concern was what compensation she could offer Yun Che.

“Yun Che, take some time to calm yourself. If you make any other decisions, please let me know at any time.”

Mu Bingyun sighed softly and left with Mu Xiaolan. Yun Che remained frozen, trembling for a long time before finally sinking heavily to the ground.

It was indeed absurd and laughable. He was someone who had only reached the mid-stage of the Sovereign Profound Realm, hadn't even touched the threshold of the Divine Way, and knew nothing about Divine Way cultivation. Yet, he had just declared he would reach the Divine Tribulation Realm—a level for peerless geniuses—in a mere thirty months. Even he himself, upon reflection, found it truly preposterous.

But what other choice did he have?

Going to the Heaven Punishing Realm was his only chance to see Jasmine.

The Golden Crow soul had warned him that if he failed to see Jasmine within five years, he would never see her again. If he didn't even meet the basic qualifications to enter the Heaven Punishing Realm by then, it would mean he would never see Jasmine again in this lifetime.

Yun Che covered his chest with a hand, gasping heavily hundreds of times before gradually calming himself.

“Jasmine…” He closed his eyes and murmured softly, “You never believed I would go to any length for you. That’s why I picked that half stalk of Netherworld Udumbara flower for you…”

“This time will be no different.”

“If this is a test from heaven, then I will make sure heaven—and you—see just how resolute I am in finding you!!”

Boom! Profound energy erupted, and sword winds roared. Yun Che gripped the Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword tightly but did not swing it, instead freezing in place once more. Despite his immense unwillingness to accept defeat, he knew with absolute certainty that simply cultivating diligently, even if he trained relentlessly for over ten hours a day, would never allow him to reach the Divine Tribulation Realm in thirty months. This was a chasm considered impassable even in the God Realm; how could it possibly be crossed by conventional means?

Yun Che closed his eyes, reflecting on his cultivation journey in silence.

His journey began with the Evil God’s Profound Veins, which came from Jasmine.

His cultivation had also progressed under Jasmine’s guidance and instruction. However, his profound energy hadn’t been solely solidified through arduous training…