Yuanba.... what exactly transpired...?" As the newly ascended God Emperors and the various seniors of the God Realm stared at the young man, a collective confusion washed over their strained faces. Although their encounter with Xia Yuanba had been short—only a few years—they had all rapidly formed a complete understanding of his unique significance.
They knew his various statuses: he was the brother-in-law of Emperor Yun Che, the little brother of Divine Empress Xia Qingyue, and, most importantly, the possessor of the legendary Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins. They understood that when his Divine Veins fully activated, his physical appearance would undergo a massive, gold-hued transformation, accounting for his new golden hair and eyes.
But why, then, did his eyes radiate a terrifying might that completely transcended their comprehension?
Why did his terrifying golden gaze feel like an oppressive, absolute suppression? It was as if they were staring directly into the primal eyes of a terrifying, ancient beast that had just been violently awakened from a deep, primordial slumber—a terror that surpassed even the power of their own new Divine Power status.
But this terrifying feeling—this complete, soul-deep subordination—it should not be possible! The God Emperors had just violently shattered their own known limits, ascending to profound realms that were entirely new, even to the ancient knowledge of the current God Realm!
Their collective power surpassed their former selves by a monumental, many-fold increase! Why, then, when their new, triumphant gaze fell upon Xia Yuanba's transformed figure, was the resulting terror so inexplicably, overwhelmingly profound?!!!
The question twisted in their souls: Not only was there the undeniable, colossal pressure, but there was also that chilling sensation of an ancient, primordial aura that seemed to radiate from Xia Yuanba—a weight of existence that commanded reverence far beyond his years or status!
"Yes, Seniors?" The moment Xia Yuanba registered the collective gaze of the fearful titans, after putting aways his chaotic thoughts, he instantly replied, his tone unchanged. His voice remained respectful, even polite, yet that profound deference was now terrifyingly distorted.
It was filled with such immense, unshakeable strength that every single syllable carried the inevitable weight of a mandate from the highest power, transforming a simple acknowledgment into the ultimate, crushing word of an Emperor of the World!
You... this... we..." The assembled God Emperors found their words failing, their minds utterly blank on how to address the terrifying sight of Xia Yuanba's transformation.
PUKEEEEE!!!!
Yet, in that moment of stunned silence, the sound of a violent retch broke the tension. One of the mighty Emperors suddenly collapsed onto the ground, spewing a mouthful of blood onto the cold palace floor.
"Xuanyuan!" A voice, thick with profound concern, immediately cried out as a nearby figure rushed toward the fallen Xuanyuan God Emperor. Yet, only a few short steps into his movement, PUKEEEEEE!!! the Purple Micro God Emperor also vomited blood, his body violently seized by the same internal collapse, weakly falling beside his friend.
A few more figures instinctively tried to rush to their fallen comrades, but as they moved, their bodies too violently seized up, collapsing onto the ground as they spasmed in visible agony.
"Ugh...."
"Agh....."
"UGH!" One by one, many supreme figures spewed blood as their vision blurred, the self-inflicted catastrophe of the rushed breakthrough finally claiming its toll.
"Everyone, you all should immediately seal your meridians and quickly heal your injured bodies and souls first!" Chi Wuyao's calm, absolute voice rang out, instantly cutting through the chaos. She had already lowered herself, sitting cross-legged as her profound energy slowly began its careful, soothing work on her own violently cracked body and soul.
Seeing this, Yuanba decided to let the group of seniors be as he head toward certain direction as there are questions he wants answers for.
-----
Soon, one by one, the fallen God Emperors and the various inheritors of the Divine Inheritance slowly began to circulate their Profound Energy to soothe their broken bodies and souls. All kinds of priceless, divine pills were ruthlessly brought out and consumed like mere candies, a stark testament to the catastrophic injuries they had incurred during their uncontrolled ascent.
"This... Your Highness...? Devil Empress... may... this old man take a look at those pills?" Suddenly, just as Chi Wuyao herself was busy with her own meditative healing, preparing to consume a powerful soul-mending pill, an old voice, thick with genuine uncertainty, rang out. Chi Wuyao slowly turned her head toward the source—the old man who was unsure whether he should risk walking over to her or not.
The man who spoke was precisely Yun Gu, the renowned Medicine Saint. If it had been anyone else who dared interrupt the Devil Empress's critical healing at this moment, their punishment would have been instantaneous and absolute. But not Yun Gu.
Sometime ago, driven by her terrifying, insatiable curiosity for all things related to Emperor Yun Che, Chi Wuyao herself had been utterly baffled. Why did Yun Che, whose medical prowess and profound knowledge stood at the very apex of the Primordial Chaos itself, show such absolute, genuine respect to this old man of minimal cultivation? As far as Chi Wuyao knew, Yun Gu, although bearing the same surname, was no part of the influential Yun Clan.
Though it was true that Yun Gu was the master of Su Ling'er and held a half-master status to the now-memory-wiped Xing Juekong (the former Star God Emperor), this status was utterly insufficient to command the deference shown by the Ruler of the God Realm.
After ruthlessly pestering Yun Che for weeks, she finally uncovered the shocking truth: the life Yun Che had lived on the Azure Cloud Continent. She learned how this precise man, Yun Gu, had once been a master and a half-father figure to Yun Che in that former life. Although that existence had been utterly erased by the ultimate power of the Mirror of Samsara, that original bond remained. To Emperor Yun Che, no matter how high he climbed or how many divine titles he accumulated, Yun Gu would always remain his revered master and half-father.
As Yun Che's Empress, how could she possibly ignore such a profound, spiritual truth?
"Yes, Senior Yun?" The moment Chi Wuyao noticed it was Yun Gu, she was forced to lightly pause her own desperate, internal healing, her supreme patience being taxed as she waited for the old man to finally traverse the significant distance to her side.
The current Yun Gu, despite the sudden, massive blessing of the Heavenly Laws that had pushed his strength to the Divine Soul Realm, was still a low-ranking figure—yet Chi Wuyao offered him a respectful nod as he finally approached.
"Devil Empress..." Yun Gu began, his old voice filled with palpable hesitation and awe as he stood before the terrifying beauty. "May this old man take a look at your medicine pills?" His gaze was fixed not on the Empress, but on the object in her hand: pills that pulsed with a warm, life-restoring light and gave off a soul-soothing fragrance that was worth an entire small star-realm.
It took only a moment of confusion, but Chi Wuyao, immediately handed Yun Gu her invaluable, soul-healing pill.
"Hmmph! Just what profound use can he possibly be, even if he does take a look at it? A mere Divine Soul Realm cultivator examining a Pill of Supreme Grade?" From a distance, a light sneer, thick with palpable mockery, drifted out from the crowd.
But the moment numerous pairs of high-level eyes snapped toward the speaker, his entire body seized in terror, and he instantly clamped his mouth shut, realizing the universal danger of insulting the Empress's guest.
Unfortunately, it was too late as his thoughts and body froze and he shattered into billions little pieces in less than a time to blink. Those who didn't pay attention wouldn't even see his pitiful death.
"...." The God Emperor who owned the unfortunate subordinate felt a brief pang of regret, but a sense of cold, pragmatic inevitability settled over him. Everyone present saw the absolute respect Chi Wuyao paid to the old man; his subordinate's demise was a direct consequence of his own stupidity. The Emperor said nothing, merely watching.
"WHO FUCKING SAID THAT?! SHOW YOURSELF! HOW DARE YOU FOUL MOUTH MY MASTER?!"
Rushing forward with a sudden, overwhelming explosion of righteous rage, the handsome middle-aged man—a half disciple of Yun Gu—roared, his low-level Profound Energy stirring into a futile, violent frenzy as he desperately tried to locate the offender.
His pure, emotional fury was tragically undermined by the pitiful weakness of his profound aura. Still, as he looks around, he did not find the one whom just insult Yun Gu, frustrated, he can only continue to look.
"SHOW YOURSELF!!!!" the handsome middle-aged man shouted again, his voice raw with furious indignation. Every God Emperor and King Realm master felt their mouths twitch.
Yet, after a moment of casting their eyes toward the furious man and then to the silent, kneeling Heavenly Wolf Star God (who was focused on healing), they all wisely returned to their healing.
Yun Gu, however, ignored the distant sneering and the desperate outbursts of his half-disciple. He concentrated entirely on the powerful medicine pill in his hand, slowing his mind to a perfect, surgical calm. Slowly, a pale, gentle white light began to erupt from his palm. It was not violent or destructive, but a pure, gentle luminescence that softly purified the pill's surface.
Even those who were utterly focused on desperately mending their own cracked bodies were instantly shocked out of their meditation! Their eyes threatened to pop from their sockets!
"Light... Profound Energy..." Chi Wuyao and the other supreme masters murmured in a terrified, collective whisper. They stared, unbelieving, at the holy, transcendent power that was capable of purifying all taints and healing both body and soul—a power now emanating from a mere Divine Soul Realm old man!
"To think... Senior Yun is capable of such profound mastery...?" Chi Wuyao murmured in disbelief; her brilliant mind was momentarily unable to process when Yun Gu had acquired such power!
Time slowly passed until Yun Gu ceased his concentration, the gentle white light fading from his hand as he respectfully returned the pill to the Devil Empress.
She instantly inspected it: the quality of the pill had increased exponentially, its impurities ruthlessly expunged. Though the refinement did not reach the ultimate, divine quality that only Emperor Yun Che could achieve, the pill's efficacy was amplified several-fold!
"Thank you, Senior Yun," Chi Wuyao said, offering a deep, genuine, and respectful bow.
As the other God Emperors watched this astonishing act of deference, Chi Wuyao quickly distributed several of the newly purified pills. The instant the refined medicine entered their bodies, the way every single survivor looked at Yun Gu utterly changed.
Soon, one by one, the God Emperors and all the kneeling King Realms subordinates offers their pill to Yun Gu to purify as one by one thank him from the bottom of their heart.
They noted, with terrifying clarity, that this person was an absolute treasure: If there was a future, they must secure his favor! Their own top-quality, realm-saving pills were nothing compared to the ultimate healing essence in their hands now! No wonder Chi Wuyao was so respectful! No wonder his title was Medicine Saint!
They briefly recalled the former Star God Emperor, Xing Juekong, and his respect, only to dismiss the thought—he's memory-wiped now, so it doesn't matter! Their resolution solidified: If a future existed, they would willingly lower their proud heads and grovel for the old man's absolute, life-saving gift!
"Isn't my master awesome?!!! HUH?!!!" The handsome man, Xing Juekong, now utterly vindicated, roared with triumph. He quickly walked over to Yun Gu's side, acting as the proudest guard.
"Lady Caizhi... are your injuries still affecting you?" Yun Gu asked, his voice gentle and devoid of the Empress's natural aura of soul-suppression. Caizhi was easy to speak to. "Yes, Senior," Caizhi lightly nodded, but in that moment, her eyes darted toward the handsome man (her former father) beside Yun Gu.
"Have no fear, Lady Caizhi! My Master can absolutely help with your injuries now that he is so much stronger!" Xing Juekong declared proudly, smiling as he championed Yun Gu's new abilities. Somehow, deep inside the forgotten core of Xing Juekong's soul—though he possessed no memory of being the Star God Emperor—the sight of this wounded young woman before him stirred a profound, unexplainable, agonizing tremor.
It was undeniably true that a natural consequence of breaking into a new profound realm was the healing of both body and soul. But the malicious power still affecting Caizhi was a force beyond the comprehension of even the newly ascended God Emperors; though it was merely a terrifying wisp of that ultimate malice, it was enough to cripple her still. Compared to everyone present, her profound aura was tragically weak.
"Master, do you require any assistance from your disciple?" Shaking the odd feeling of familial connection away, Xing Juekong asked Yun Gu. The old man simply shook his head, already understanding the task. Xing Juekong wisely retreated to a distance, his eyes fixed in awe as Yun Gu once more erupted with his pale, divine Light Profound Power, directing every trace of his energy to purify the terrifying malice affecting the young woman.
Hours slowly passed as the new, grim day dawned. Under the relentless, sacrificial application of Yun Gu's pure power, the terrifying curse that crippled Caizhi was purified and suppressed to a great extent. Her strained breathing instantly became natural, allowing her to fully focus her attention on her own internal healing. The task, however, had cost the healer dearly: the weak and utterly energy-drained Yun Gu almost collapsed onto the ground, saved only by the quick, supporting arms of Xing Juekong.
"Not yet... others still need my help," Yun Gu protested weakly, his voice barely a rasp.
"No, Master, please, you must rest a bit..." Xing Juekong insisted, his tone a unique mix of absolute respect and fierce, parental concern.
"There are many others who desperately need my help," Yun Gu weakly argued.
"No, Master, I understand, but please take care of your own health first," Xing Juekong pleaded. Finally, the exhausted Yun Gu admitted defeat to his half-disciple's unbreakable will. Xing Juekong gently lifted his Master's collapsed form, carrying him away toward his resting quarters.
"Holy Heart... To think such a being with such profound quality still exists in this world... And a mere mortal at that," a low, ancient voice echoed out inside Chi Wuyao's soul as she watched the frail figure being carried away. This ancient voice had just confirmed the unbelievable suspicion that Chi Wuyao harbored about Yun Gu.
"And one who seemingly inherited a part of her... Li Suo's Divine Arts as well..." the ancient voice echoed out again.
!!!
The revelation utterly shattering. The humble Medicine Saint was not merely a good man; he was a living relic, a mortal vessel for the primordial, supreme healing power of the Goddess of Life herself.
"..." Watching the Medicine Saint being carried away, Chi Wuyao fell into a deep, chilling concentration. After a brief moment, she ruthlessly redirected her focus back to her own critical healing, conversing internally with the ancient, newly reawakened voice in her soul.
So far... everything had unfolded too perfectly. The Devil Gods had completely ceased their movement, becoming utterly still as if they had received a new, absolute, paralyzing command. And that... was absolutely not a good sign.
After all, whatever cosmic upheaval had just occurred to the Primordial Chaos and its Heavenly Laws had gifted an absolute, burning hope to the survivors. If this desperate, fragile hope were to be suddenly and violently crushed, the resulting despair would be catastrophic.
In fact, it was not just Chi Wuyao's terrifying intellect that grasped this; one by one, almost everyone present slowly realized the devastating truth. "She" had been too inactive, too permissive, allowing the people's hopes to rise higher and higher.
But if this hope—this flame that was born in the absolute darkness of despair—were to be extinguished now, the psychological toll would be final. One by one, every survivor felt their body and soul turn cold with the terrifying realization that they were being set up for the ultimate, crushing fall.
As time ticked by with agonizing slowness, broken bodies were carefully mended, and cracked souls were painstakingly healed. Under Yun Gu's constant, sacrificing aid, the entire group of the top cultivators of the God Realm made almost a full, profound recovery.
Thump.... thump.... thump.... thump.....
Yet, the more fully healed and whole they became, the more the intense, absolute feeling of the life-and-death crisis exploded within their souls, their collective hearts pounding with paralyzing fear.
Thump.... thump.... thump.... thump.....
As the final person of the group completed their recovery, they looked at one another, seeing only profound worry and naked fear reflected in every eye.
"Maybe... perhaps we were just overthinking the matter..." A half-hearted, strained joke finally broke the silence. "Since... since everyone is fully recovered... let us continue cultivating some more... perhaps we can achieve another break..." Xuanyuan God Emperor suggested, desperately attempting to cling to denial. Before he could even finish his sentence, the terrifying pause ended.
The entire Star Realm of Soul Stealing Realm seemingly plunge into absolute darkness.
Thump.... thump.... thump.... thump..... Thump.... thump.... thump.... thump.....
The deathly crisis exploded in its full, absolute terror! Their bodies and souls instantly turned as cold as icy hell, and the entire group slowly, inexorably looked upward toward the blackened sky of the Soul Stealing Realm... to the exact spot where a figure in cold, symbolic red was staring down upon them all like insignificant insects.
She... had finally arrived.