# Chapter 1469: Nanming Threat
"Jie Tian Mo Di is indeed your most powerful protective charm right now." Xia Qingyue did not deny Yun Che's words. "Her existence creates an incomparable deterrent for the world. But aside from deterrence, what else is there? Can her power be used by you?"
Yun Che: "..."
"You don't need to answer." Before Yun Che could speak, Xia Qingyue stated flatly and without room for doubt, "I am certain it cannot. As an ancient demon emperor, how could she possibly be driven by a human! Furthermore, as the inheritor of the Evil God's power, if you were to rely on others' strength to assert yourself, she would only be disappointed, disdainful, and even angered."
Every single word Xia Qingyue spoke was correct... Not long ago, Jie Yuan had warned him similarly, telling him to never delude himself into thinking he could borrow her power.
"I am certain of this, and others are likewise." Xia Qingyue continued. "And this is still secondary. Have you considered what would happen if one day, this protective charm of Jie Tian Mo Di were to disappear?"
"She is Jie Tian Mo Di. Who could make her disappear?" Yun Che said.
"The disappearance I speak of is not her disappearance, but the disappearance of her 'favor' toward you. Because after all, you are merely the inheritor of the Evil God's power, essentially a mortal being, and certainly not the Evil God himself."
"..." Yun Che did not refute, but inwardly he was unconvinced. Because aside from the Evil God's power, he still had Hong'er and You'er. Xia Qingyue's worries would not actually come to pass.
Xia Qingyue seemed to see Yun Che's dismissiveness, and sighed softly in her heart. "Who knows, perhaps one day, Jie Tian Mo Di really will leave or disappear from this world in some form."
"I know you must want to say it's impossible. Then let me ask you a few questions..."
Xia Qingyue's slender brows tilted slightly as she slowly spoke, "When you died in the Star God Realm back then, did you ever think you would come back to life?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Back then, when you first arrived at the God Realm and learned of the concept of King Realms, if someone had told you that I would become the Moon God Emperor a few years later, would you have thought it possible?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Back in Liu Yun City, did you ever have the slightest thought that one day you could save the fate of the entire chaos?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Many things in this world don't just not happen because you think they're impossible. Especially... Jie Tian Mo Di can do whatever she wants, good or evil, treating you well or poorly—it's entirely up to her, not you! The initiative has always been in her hands!"
"So right now, she is indeed your protective charm, but it's one that could disappear at any time. And if this protective charm were to vanish, the side effects that follow would be immense."
Xia Qingyue's voice deepened slightly, each word heavy: "When you no longer have Jie Tian Mo Di as your protective charm, you are just Yun Che. And today in Yin Xue Realm, who were those who came for you, bowing and scraping before you? There were Realm Kings of upper star realms, and Divine Emperors of King Realms! If one day, you become purely Yun Che again, then their fawning over a junior cultivator from a lower realm will become the greatest shame of their lives!"
"..." Yun Che clearly remembered Mo Li telling him something similar back then. "Is this what you meant when you said my situation is very dangerous?"
"Far more than that." Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes subconsciously glanced westward as she said faintly, "You must understand that your cultivation is indeed difficult for your peers to match, but the levels you come into contact with are far too high. If someone who holds a grudge against you were to attack you without regard for consequences... no one would be able to protect your life in time."
"It can't be that bad, right?" Yun Che frowned. "If we're talking about the one who hates me most in the God Realm, it's that madwoman Luo Guxie. But even she wouldn't dare to kill me while braving Senior Jie Yuan's wrath, would she?"
"Once human nature becomes twisted due to some extreme cause, it can sometimes be terrifying beyond imagination." Xia Qingyue said softly. "And the most terrifying are never those with fangs exposed, but rather those who are always gentle and kind, making people let down their guard."
"I've always understood that. When it comes to vigilance, I consider myself sharper than anyone." Yun Che clasped his hands behind his head and muttered, "Qingyue, we were born in the same year and month! Why do I feel like you're lecturing a junior?"
"You can choose not to listen or believe, but regarding what comes next, you must listen to me." Xia Qingyue said. "Rest assured, if it fails, you won't lose anything. But if it succeeds, you will gain another... true protective charm."
"Huh?"
Xia Qingyue's gaze condensed, a cold moon seeming to flicker in the depths of her pupils. "One that is completely under your control, a protective charm that can stop even a Divine Emperor-level powerhouse from killing you!"
Yun Che was shocked. Xia Qingyue's words were absolutely enough to astonish anyone in the God Realm.
Such a protective charm existed in this world!?
"What exactly are you talking about?" Yun Che asked.
"I cannot tell you now, or it will expose flaws." Xia Qingyue looked south, sensing the increasingly close aura. "You will know soon enough."
"Fine." Yun Che didn't press further, suddenly smiling cheerfully. "Even after becoming the Moon God Emperor, you still worry yourself over your husband. Truly worthy of being my formally wedded first wife."
"You're overthinking it." Xia Qingyue said coldly. "I'm merely using your unique abilities to accomplish something I cannot do myself. As for that 'protective charm,' consider it repayment for using you to achieve my goal. Nothing more."
"Fine, fine, fine." Yun Che rolled his eyes helplessly.
---
Eastern Divine Region, Fan Di God Realm.
Qianye Fantian, having left Yin Xue Realm, was preoccupied with heavy thoughts, so his return journey was not fast. Upon returning to Fan Di God Realm and just entering the central divine territory, he detected an aura that shouldn't have been there.
His brows furrowed. He slowly descended and unhurriedly walked toward the Fantian Divine Hall. Upon entering the hall, his brows had already relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Ha ha ha ha," a loud laugh echoed through the hall. In this most sacred and core hall of Fan Di God Realm, the Fantian King Hall, someone was already standing inside. He turned around, smiling as he looked at the entering Qianye Fantian: "Fantian Shen Di, you've kept this king waiting quite a while."
Silver-robed, with a handsome fair face and a slightly dissipated air, at first glance he seemed like a libertine young master from a noble family. But the smile on his face was exceptionally wicked, and meeting his gaze involuntarily sent chills down one's spine.
It was none other than the First Divine Emperor of the Southern Divine Region... Nanming Divine Emperor Nan Wansheng!
Qianye Fantian's face beamed with smiles as he quickened his steps, raising his hand in greeting: "So it's a distinguished guest! Qianye left for a short while, keeping the honored guest waiting long. Qianye is deeply ashamed."
"Nanming Divine Emperor, have you personally come to the Eastern Divine Region again? Might it be to inquire about Jie Tian Mo Di from Yun Che as well?" Qianye Fantian asked.
"No, no. It's most appropriate for you of the Eastern Divine Region to handle that matter. Nanming merely happened to be there." Nanming Divine Emperor smiled lightly, not even asking about Yun Che or Jie Yuan, as if he had no interest whatsoever in this matter concerning the fate of all chaos: "Nanming's purpose here is, of course, still for Ying'er. Unfortunately, Ying'er doesn't seem to be in the realm. Nanming is quite heartbroken."
"Heh," Qianye Fantian chuckled. "Ying'er has always traveled far and wide, rarely returning to the realm. Even I seldom get to see her. If Nanming Divine Emperor wishes to see Ying'er, I'm afraid he'll have to put in considerable effort again."
"No, no. Nanming came for Ying'er indeed, but not to see her. There is another matter of greater importance."
Qianye Fantian: "Oh?"
The smile on Nanming's face faded, and an invisible imperial might was unleashed: "Nanming has held the position of Divine Emperor for over twenty thousand years, yet has never established an empress. I once thought no woman under heaven was worthy to be Nanming's empress. Until I saw Ying'er that year, I knew that besides Ying'er, it could be no one else."
Qianye Fantian's brows moved slightly, his smile unchanged.
"Now that the Demon Emperor has returned to the world and chaos is in turmoil, everyone is panicked and anxious. If Nanming continues to hesitate and waver, and a calamity suddenly descends one day, I will have no chance in this life—what a lifelong regret that would be! So..." The smile returned to Nanming Divine Emperor's face as he respectfully bowed to Qianye Fantian: "Nanming has come today to discuss the matter of marriage between our two realms. I ask Fantian Shen Di to give Ying'er in marriage to Nanming, to fulfill Nanming's lifelong wish."
"Heh," Qianye Fantian was unmoved: "Nanming Divine Emperor is joking again."
"This time, I am not." Nanming Divine Emperor straightened his back, his smile gradually becoming somewhat piercing. "In the past, our two realms stood as equals. If you, Fantian Shen Di, were unwilling, this king could do nothing. But now, with the Fan Di God Realm having lost its Three Fan Gods, this king's confidence for raising this proposal is quite ample indeed."
One moment he was respectfully bowing with a smiling demeanor, the next moment his face changed—to one that Qianye Fantian had never seen before. Qianye Fantian's brows sank sharply, then he smiled: "Nanming Divine Emperor, this king fails to understand your meaning. Whether or not the Three Fan Gods exist, my Fan Di God Realm is still Fan Di God Realm, unshakable by anyone. What does that have to do with your confidence?"
"Fantian Shen Di is joking," Nanming Divine Emperor said with a beaming smile. "If it were just three Fan Kings that fell, that would be one thing. But for all three Fan Gods to die tragically... tsk tsk, even if your Fan Di God Realm had three heads and six arms, it would be hard to bear. Having lost three arms at once, the Fan Di God Realm, at least in this era, no longer qualifies to stand as equals with my Nanming God Realm. What do you think, Fantian Shen Di?"
Qianye Fantian: "..."
"Oh, by the way," Nanming Divine Emperor continued, "I heard that the new Moon God Emperor has old grievances with Ying'er and is quite unfriendly toward your Fan Di God Realm. And now there's Yun Che, who enjoys Jie Tian Mo Di's special favor... Nanming has some knowledge that back then when he fled to the Dragon God Realm, he couldn't even enter the Zhou Tian Divine Realm, which seemed to be related to your Fan Di God Realm as well... All this combined makes it hard for others not to worry about you."
"And at a time like this, if someone were to cause a few small troubles out of displeasure," Nanming Divine Emperor shook his head, putting on an appearance of worry for the Fan Di God Realm, "I'm afraid the days ahead for this number one King Realm of the Eastern Region will become increasingly difficult. Perhaps it might even lose the chance for the next Fan God to appear."
Qianye Fantian's eyes narrowed sharply: "Nanming, are you threatening me?"
Nanming Divine Emperor did not deny it; instead, he laughed heartily: "Ha ha ha ha! As long as I can welcome Ying'er as my empress, Nanming is willing to pay any price, use any means. If this displeases Fantian Shen Di, once I marry Ying'er, Fantian Shen Di will be Nanming's father-in-law. If my father-in-law wishes to punish or blame me, Nanming will naturally accept it fully, without any resistance."
"Hmph!" Qianye Fantian gave a heavy snort. "You should know Ying'er's nature better than anyone. If she wants to marry you, no one can stop her. If she doesn't want to marry someone, no one can force her."
"No. It is precisely because Nanming understands Ying'er thoroughly that I humbly believe Fantian Shen Di can certainly persuade Ying'er." Nanming Divine Emperor said with a chuckle. "Perhaps not before, but now, as long as Fantian Shen Di is willing, it can definitely be done."
"Fantian Shen Di, don't rush to refuse." Before Qianye Fantian could respond, Nanming Divine Emperor raised his hand and said, "If our two realms form a marriage alliance, Ying'er will be Nanming's empress. From then on, our two realms will be connected like branches on the same tree, and even the Dragon God Realm need not be feared. Moreover, there is one more point I believe Fantian Shen Di won't fail to understand..."
"Under the current circumstances, if Nanming is unwilling, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for Fan Di God Realm to produce another Fan God. But if Nanming is willing and provides full support, the birth of the next Fan God will not be far off."
Every word from Nanming Divine Emperor was gentle and elegant, yet every word was like poison steeped in steel. Enormous threats mixed with enormous temptations.
What was even more terrifying was that his threats were real, but as for his temptations, one could never tell which words were true and which were false.
"Nanming has said all he wished to say. I believe Fantian Shen Di must be very busy recently, so I shall not disturb you further. I will return to the Southern Region to await the good news."
Nanming Divine Emperor smiled lightly, lifted his foot, and walked away. Qianye Fantian did not stop him or speak, but his hands silently clenched.
"Oh, by the way," Nanming Divine Emperor paused slightly, half-turning his pale face: "Fantian Shen Di should be well aware that Nanming's patience has always been poor. Once my patience runs out and I get angry, sometimes even I am afraid of myself."
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly. Nanming Divine Emperor lifted his foot again and unhurriedly walked out of the Fantian King Hall. His aura quickly faded away, soon disappearing from Qianye Fantian's spiritual perception.
Boom!!!
Qianye Fantian punched down, shattering a several-thousand-zhang crack in the great hall.
"Damned bastard!" Qianye Fantian gritted his teeth, his whole body trembling.
When the Three Fan Gods of Fan Di God Realm were casually annihilated by Jie Yuan, Qianye Fantian's demeanor in public was quite calm. His smile didn't diminish in the slightest. No one could see even a hint of pain or regret in him, as if he had only lost three insignificant minor characters.
But over this past month, Qianye Fantian had secretly swallowed who knows how many mouthfuls of rebellious blood.
What Nanming Divine Emperor said was not wrong at all. Losing the Three Fan Gods was equivalent to breaking three arms of Fan Di God Realm!
Though they were only three people, they were three tenth-rank Divine Lords, three God Emperor-level powerhouses! The consequence was that the strength of Fan Di God Realm and Nanming God Realm suddenly developed a gap!
Originally, in the God Realm, under the Dragon God Realm, Nanming God Realm and Fan Di God Realm were the strongest. Neither could shake the other, neither could truly suppress the other.
But with Fan Di God Realm suddenly losing its Three Fan Gods, Nanming God Realm absolutely gained the ability to suppress Fan Di God Realm. And as long as it was willing, it could keep Fan Di God Realm from raising its head for a long time.
Although this would also cost Nanming God Realm dearly, Qianye Fantian knew that Nanming Divine Emperor, that terrifying madman, would definitely do it!
This was the consequence of losing the Three Fan Gods, causing a plunge in core strength... And Qianye Fantian understood that this was only the beginning! The cruel survival laws of the God Realm had always been this way, and the higher the level, the more brutal it often became.