# Chapter 1496: Useless Bargaining Chip
After spending five days together with Mo Li in the Tai Chu Divine Realm, Yun Che finally left with reluctant attachment.
During these five days, Yun Che and Mo Li had been glued together almost every moment.
The relationship between them had always been exceptionally subtle. Even Yun Che, who had multiple wives and concubines, found it difficult to articulate the special feelings he had for Mo Li.
Even during that month of their time together in the Xing Shen Realm, that subtlety had persisted... and for most of that time, Mo Li had forcibly pushed him toward Cai Zhi.
Now, without the constraints of the Xing Shen Realm, Mo Li, isolated from the world, could instead be free of all worries and lean on Yun Che as much as she pleased—like a lover, like family... however it might be.
In the past, she had endlessly scorned those women who were infatuated with Yun Che, who had been "tricked into his hands" using various "despicable, shameless, and lowly means." But now, she realized that she herself had already become... and had long since become one of them.
Yun Che left with Qianye Ying'er. Mo Li watched his departing figure, silently gazing for a long, long time.
*Yun Che... back then, I awakened the Xie Ying because of you, and because of you, I completely suppressed that terrifyingly extreme hatred and killing intent...*
*When did you become so important in my life... even far surpassing the vengeance that I once regarded as the entirety of my life?*
*Yun Che picking the Brahma Flower for her... Yun Che abandoning everything to travel to the Shen Realm for her... Yun Che refusing to fall on the Feng Shen Platform even at death's door for her... Yun Che risking his life to go to the Xing Shen Realm for her...*
Although she had transformed into the Xie Ying that the world feared, Mo Li was infinitely gratified by Yun Che's current situation.
Among the Four Supreme Realms of the Eastern Domain, the Yue Shen Realm and the Zhou Tian God Realm were both on Yun Che's side, the Xing Shen Realm was too preoccupied to care for itself, and within the Fan Di God Realm, the most dangerous Fandi Shennü had become his most loyal servant.
In the Yin Xue Realm where he resided, he also had an unfathomably deep and protective master.
Moreover, he had calmed the crisis of Jie Tian Mo Di's return to the world, was favored by Jie Tian Mo Di, and was connected to Hong'er by life itself.
Those high-level star realms who knew the truth were scrambling to get close and curry favor with him.
The Yun Che of today was no longer the person from the lower realm who had to tread carefully in the Shen Realm back then.
These factors, combined with her own power, meant that even if Yun Che were a waste, in the current Shen Realm, he would wield enormous influence, not inferior to any Divine Emperor. As long as Jie Tian Mo Di existed, unless forced to mutual destruction, no one would dare to offend or harm him.
He had said with great confidence that her identity as the Xie Ying would surely be accepted by the world... and even if not, with a single word from Jie Tian Mo Di, the world would have no choice but to accept.
Everything seemed to be developing in the best possible direction, no longer requiring Yun Che's own growth.
"Yun Che, you will surely win that 'wager,' won't you..."
Gazing into the distance, Mo Li spoke softly, her lips curving unconsciously, her eyes hazy as if in a dream.
---
"Master, where are we going now? To find Jie Tian Mo Di?" He Ling asked as they left the Tai Chu Divine Realm.
The time of the Demon God's return to the world was gradually approaching, and Yun Che had been reluctant to leave the Tai Chu Divine Realm, delaying for quite some time.
"Mm, back to Lan Ji Star. Let's go!"
Summoning the Dun Yue Immortal Palace, Yun Che grabbed Qianye Ying'er and sped back toward Lan Ji Star at top speed.
In the past, what Yun Che had feared most was exposing the place of his birth. Because the anomalies about him were too conspicuous, they would undoubtedly arouse curiosity in the Shen Realm about his birthplace, potentially bringing disaster there.
So when Qianye Ying'er had targeted him in the Shen Realm back then, he could only hide in the Reincarnation Forbidden Land, unable to return.
And now, the world's attention on him far exceeded that of the past. Unless he never returned, no matter how careful he was, it would inevitably be exposed.
But fortunately, in this world, there was no place safer or less feared of being coveted than Lan Ji Star.
Because it was the first star created by the Xie Shen and Jie Tian Mo Di, and Jie Tian Mo Di's greatest attachment in this world. Anyone who dared to trespass on Lan Ji Star would undoubtedly be digging their own grave.
And the humans of Lan Ji Star, along with all living beings, did not know just how special a existence their star was, how it was receiving the greatest protection in this world.
In the future, even if the Demon God returned to the world, disasters arose, and countless stars, star realms, and star domains collapsed, Lan Ji Star would surely remain safe and sound.
If the origin of Lan Ji Star were made public, there was no doubt that this humble lower realm star, once unknown to anyone, would overnight transform into the most sacred place in the world, to be looked up to and worshipped by all living beings.
The Dun Yue Immortal Palace was extraordinarily fast. Three days later, the dazzlingly bright blue star in the vast sea of stars came into view.
Returning to Lan Ji Star, the Dun Yue Immortal Palace landed atop the Jueyun Cliff on the Cang Yun Continent. Yun Che ordered Qianye Ying'er to wait at the cliff's edge, then leaped down from the Jueyun Cliff, all the way to the bottom.
The dark world, the Netherworld Brahma Flower Sea.
Probably because of her incomplete soul, You Er spent most of her time sleeping. At this moment, she was lying quietly in the Netherworld Brahma Flower Sea. But unlike previous times when Yun Che had visited, her small body was not curled up tightly as before; instead, she lay comfortably on her side, sleeping extraordinarily soundly.
Because beside her, Jie Yuan was quietly accompanying her.
Sensing Yun Che's arrival, Jie Yuan silently rose and in an instant appeared before Yun Che. She reached back with her arm and cast an absolute soundproof barrier, unwilling to let the sleeping You Er be disturbed in any way.
"You've finally come," Jie Yuan said expressionlessly. "A bit later than I expected. But judging by your expression, it seems you've found a sufficiently good reason or 'bargaining chip.'"
"Uh..." Yun Che smiled somewhat awkwardly, then composed his expression and said bluntly, "As a person of this era, whether for the sake of the world or for personal reasons, this junior has an obligation to do so... I beg you to spare some time and listen to what I have to say."
"Go ahead, let me hear your reason or bargaining chip properly." Jie Yuan did not refuse.
Whether it was an illusion, Yun Che felt that Jie Yuan's attitude seemed subtly different from last time?
Yun Che took a light breath and said, "Once your clansmen return to the world, what will happen, you understand better than anyone. I deeply understand why you chose to let them be, and I am well aware that none of the current living beings have the right to make any demands of you or your clansmen. But for your clansmen, is venting their hatred really the best treatment for them?"
"..." Jie Yuan remained completely unresponsive.
"Fate is sometimes unfair and cruel, but it also has moments of extreme beauty. For example... back then, you were burdened by fate, enduring calamities unimaginable to ordinary people. But you did not perish from those calamities; instead, you returned safely. Moreover, because of those calamities, you escaped the world-ending catastrophe. The Divine Clan and the Demon Clan were all annihilated, but your daughter with the Xie Shen remains alive in this world. Is this not fate's compensation to you?"
"Your clansmen are the same. They return with boundless hatred, but those who harmed them in the past are no longer in this world. The current living beings are all innocent. If they vent their hatred on innocent lives, not only will they not truly quench their resentment, but they will increase their sins, further twist their hearts and souls, and turn the world they are about to rule into chaos and fragmentation."
"But if they can suppress their hatred, calm their hearts and souls, and divide the current chaotic world into a hundred star domains for them to lead separately, with mutual competition, then they can find goals and pursuits for the rest of their lives. They might even be revered and respected by all living beings, enjoying a high status and glory that even the ancient era could not provide."
"Most importantly, perhaps through this, they can gradually—eventually completely—change the world's perception of 'demons,' truly fulfilling your and the Xie Shen's greatest wish from back then."
"And if these can be achieved, compared to degenerating into mere devils driven by hatred, it would be far, far better for them, for the world, and for you."
When Yun Che mentioned "completely changing the world's perception of 'demons,' truly fulfilling your and the Xie Shen's greatest wish from back then," Jie Yuan's eyes moved almost imperceptibly. The rest of the time, she remained entirely unmoved.
"Finished? Hmph, well said." Jie Yuan's words seemed like praise, but her face showed no emotion. "Pity, it seems you've completely forgotten what I said to you last time."
"This junior has not forgotten," Yun Che said calmly. "I know it is extremely difficult to suppress the hatred they have accumulated for millions of years. But you are their Demon Emperor, and it is because of you that they have survived until now and are able to return to the world. So it is not entirely impossible for you to do it—only you can do it. Even if it's just trying."
He paused, then continued, "This junior knows he has no right to make this request of you. So, as long as you are willing to try, this junior... will surely give you recompense, or as you put it, a 'bargaining chip.'"
"Oh?" Jie Yuan seemed to take interest. "What bargaining chip? Let's hear it."
"The Ancestral Divine Art!" Yun Che said with utmost seriousness.
"Is that so?" Jie Yuan glanced at him sideways, asking indifferently, "Which one did you find? The one from that old dog Mo E, or the one that has never appeared in the world?"
Jie Yuan's reaction was so indifferent that it surprised Yun Che, completely contrary to his expectations.
Countless thoughts flashed through Yun Che's mind, and finally he said, "Both. Both are in this junior's hands. Add the one in your hands, and the legendary Ancestral Divine Art can be made complete through you!"
The complete Ancestral Divine Art... these words, even in the ancient era, would have caused earth-shattering upheaval, driving every demon and god, including the Creation Gods and Demon Emperors, utterly mad.
Yun Che had thought this statement would surely shake Jie Yuan, after all, it was something she had sought but never obtained back then. But after he finished speaking, Jie Yuan's expression remained utterly unmoved, her dark eyes like a stagnant pool of gray water, not a single ripple of disturbance.
"For someone who has existed for such a short time, to have continuously found two parts... it seems the Heaven-Defying World Scripture has quite a fate with you," Jie Yuan said the name of the Ancestral Divine Art with extreme coldness. "Very well, keep it and play with it."
"..." She didn't even ask to take it for herself, let alone show any interest in looking at it. Yun Che was completely stunned.
"Also," Jie Yuan continued, "the Heaven-Defying World Scripture I obtained back then is no longer on me."
Yun Che's brow twitched. "Could it be that you discarded it in the Outer Chaos?"
"I did indeed discard it."
Jie Yuan said this with a faint smile, her tone exceptionally indifferent, as if she were merely mentioning some trivial matter not worth her concern.