# Chapter 1497: Jie Yuan's Choice
"Why?" Yun Che asked. "Could it be that Senior has completely lost interest in the Ancestral Divine Art?"
Jie Yuan gave a cold snort and said indifferently, "Back then, it was because of this Heaven-Defying World Scripture that I was ambushed by that old dog Mo E. It was also because of my curiosity and greed for the Heaven-Defying World Scripture that I violated Ni Xuan's warnings for the first time... and I never even had the chance to be scolded by him again."
Yun Che: "..."
"The Heaven-Defying World Scripture in your hands — one part came from that old dog Mo E. Looking at it would dirty my eyes, touching it would dirty my hands! You keep it for yourself! Don't even let me see it!"
"...Very well." Yun Che's mood was quite complicated.
He had thought that the Ancestral Divine Art in his hands would be the thing most capable of moving Jie Yuan. He never expected that not only did she have no desire to covet it, but her words were filled with deep disgust.
But thinking about it, as the only Demon Emperor of this era, there was no power in the world that could pose even the slightest threat to her. What need did she have for the Ancestral Divine Art? And the tragedy of her and her people — the Ancestral Divine Art was the greatest catalyst. Her reaction like this... upon deeper reflection, it wasn't too abrupt.
But this meant that even the only bargaining chip he had to offer was now completely useless.
"I might as well tell you," Jie Yuan suddenly said. "I did indeed abandon the Heaven-Defying World Scripture, but not outside the Chaos. After all, I was born because of the Primordial Divine, and that was the Primordial Divine's greatest gift — how could I leave it in the Outer Chaos?"
"If you have any interest in this Heaven-Defying World Scripture," Jie Yuan's lips twitched, seemingly a cold smile, yet also seemingly sarcastic — an indescribable expression — "you might as well try to search for it. However, during my years in the Outer Chaos, I did come to understand one thing."
"This Heaven-Defying World Scripture is the origin of the Xuan Path. The Primordial Divine left it behind simply because He didn't want it to return to nothingness, and perhaps as a test for future generations. But even if one could gather it in its entirety and fully interpret it, there is absolutely no one in this world who could cultivate it!"
"Why does Senior think so?" Yun Che asked subconsciously.
"Because the laws contained in the Heaven-Defying World Scripture are a special existence called 'Void' — 'All things and all beings arise from the Void, and will eventually return to the Void.' This is the only divine incantation I have comprehended from the Heaven-Defying World Scripture in my hands, but the principle of Void within it is something I cannot touch no matter what."
Yun Che: "..."
"Except for the Primordial Divine, who was truly born from the 'Void,' no living being could ever truly touch the laws of 'Void' — not even a Demon Emperor or a Creation God! Even gathering the complete Heaven-Defying World Scripture... hah, how laughable I was back then!"
"..." Yun Che steadied himself for a moment before saying, "This junior is enlightened. There is another matter I wish to discuss with Senior, and I hope Senior might grant it."
"Concerning the 'Evil Infant,' is it?" Jie Yuan said flatly.
Yun Che's head shot up, stunned speechless.
"Hmph, haven't you been with her these past few days?"
"~！#￥%..." The hairs on Yun Che's body stood on end. Was this Jie Tian Mo Di... a peeping tom!?
Although his brows were twitching wildly, Jie Yuan's words actually put Yun Che's originally nervous heart at ease: "Since Senior knows of the 'Evil Infant's' existence and current state, that means Senior has no intention of sealing the Evil Infant?"
"Seal? Why would I?" Jie Yuan countered. "What the Evil Infant is now has nothing to do with me."
These words left Yun Che stunned, momentarily unable to understand.
Regardless of other gods and demons, the Evil God had also died under the Evil Infant's "Myriad Tribulations of Oblivion."
"The Evil Infant acknowledging a master — this is indeed an interesting matter, but e~v~e~r~y~t~h~i~n~g has nothing to do with me." Jie Yuan's words carried a special, profound meaning that only she understood at that moment. "You need not mention it to me again."
"Also, regarding the matter of my people, do not bring it up again. No matter what reasons, bargaining chips, or other tricks you think of that you find interesting or useful, do not mention them to me again. I don't want to hear a single word."
Yun Che's lips moved, wanting to say something, but he heard her voice deepen as she said faintly, "Come find me here again in one month. I will give you my answer then."
"...Yes." Yun Che could not refuse, and from Jie Yuan's words, he vaguely sensed that she seemed to have come to some decision.
"Mmm..." Among the Netherworld Flower Sea, You Er slowly opened her four-colored eyes, looking over this way dazedly.
Jie Yuan turned her gaze sideways, and her expression instantly became as gentle as a light breeze. She said softly, "Call Hong'er out, then go keep You Er company for a while."
"Alright..."
...
Yun Che stayed at the base of Jueyun Cliff for a day. It wasn't until Hong'er grew thoroughly drowsy, flopping onto Yun Che and falling asleep with her head tilted, that he was finally allowed to leave.
Yun Che gently lifted Hong'er, transferring her into the space of the Heavenly Poison Pearl. His movements were extraordinarily tender, and his eyes carried a doting affection as if toward his own daughter.
Watching him, Jie Yuan's gaze shifted slightly, and she suddenly said, "I was once like you."
"Oh?" Yun Che looked up, confused.
"As a Demon Emperor, I once destroyed countless living beings. Even wiping out an entire planet's existence would never stir any feeling in me. But after having a daughter and becoming a mother, I unconsciously grew merciful. I even began to find it unacceptable to take life... because I didn't want to embrace my daughter with bloodstained hands."
Yun Che was stunned.
"Having a daughter, becoming a mother, makes the world seem so much more beautiful than before. After becoming merciful, all the beings in one's eyes also seem to become merciful and kind. The former killing intent, vigilance, and decisiveness all quietly fade away without one even realizing it..."
Jie Yuan let out a soft sigh: "This is also one of the reasons why Mo E was able to scheme against me so easily... Until now, I still don't know whether this is a strength or a flaw in my humanity."
"And during those years in the Outer Chaos, I gradually came to truly understand that, given my level and position, precisely because I have a beautiful family, I need to become even more ruthless. Embracing loved ones with bloodstained hands, or letting loved ones be stained with blood... if it were you, which would you choose?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Under the current Chaos aura, for you to have achieved this realm within half a Jiazi, you must have experienced countless bloody battles and life-and-death trials. But right now, you have a passive pursuit of power, yet lack the matching bloodlust and ferocity, instead being filled with the compassionate thought of 'saving the world'... This might be a good thing for others, but you are different, and you should understand your own difference."
"You who inherit Ni Xuan's power are destined to be a king of this world. But a king must not only be revered, but also feared. You need to consciously resist the softening of your heart."
"And, speaking for myself, I absolutely do not wish to see you, who inherit his power... become as kind and good-natured as he was back then."
Yun Che thought for a moment, then nodded: "Mm, this junior will remember Senior's words."
"By the way," Jie Yuan's gaze shifted sideways as she suddenly said, "That female slave you took in is not bad."
"Eh?" Yun Che had no idea why Jie Yuan would suddenly mention Qianye.
"Just in terms of appearance, she's almost comparable to that so-called 'First Sacred Immortal of the Divine Race,' Li Suo, from back then! Hmph!"
Jie Yuan, who had always been extremely cold, clearly spoke through gritted teeth when she uttered the words "First Sacred Immortal of the Divine Race, Li Suo."
Glancing at Jie Yuan's expression, Yun Che asked apprehensively, "Senior... seems to have had a grievance with the Life Creation God Li Suo?"
Jie Yuan turned her face away, gave a heavy snort, and said coldly, "Back then, Ni Xuan was young and foolish. He pursued Li Suo for a full million years! But was always ruthlessly rejected by Li Suo... In the end, heartbroken, he roamed the Demon Realm, where he met me!"
"Hmph! What 'First Sacred Immortal of the Divine Race'? She's nothing but an ignorant, worthless fool! What part of Ni Xuan wasn't good enough for her!"
"Senior... is correct." Yun Che bowed his head deeply, his face twitching slightly... Sure enough, no matter what level a woman is at, it's exactly the same on this point!
"But unfortunately, Hong'er ended up receiving her blessing anyway." Jie Yuan murmured softly, then turned around: "You may go... Remember what I said. Come find me here again in one month. During this time, no matter the reason, you are not to disturb me!"
...
After Yun Che left, the dark world at the base of Jueyun Cliff returned to calm.
Ever since Jie Yuan arrived, the roars of giant beasts that had once rung out continuously never sounded again. Those dark giant beasts trembled in fear at all times under Jie Yuan's faint, barely perceptible dark aura.
Watching You Er fall asleep peacefully again, Jie Yuan stood amidst the Netherworld Flower Sea. Her eyes, which made all beings tremble, were now shrouded in deep confusion and sorrow.
"Ni Xuan..." she whispered to herself, "Why is it that after so many years, I still can't get used to a world without you..."
"The reason I clung so stubbornly to life, the reason I returned so urgently... what I wanted most was never revenge, but to see you, to see our daughter..."
"All my clansmen, friends, enemies, and rivals are gone. The Chaos has become utterly unfamiliar. But our daughter still remains. Although she changed from our 'Ni Jie' into Hong'er and You Er, at least her existence, though 'split apart,' is not incomplete."
"Hong'er is forever happy and carefree. As long as You Er has someone to accompany her, she is so content. And I have finally found a way to make her whole and ensure she has someone to be with her forever."
"Fate destroyed everything, yet left our daughter behind. Should I resent fate, or be grateful to fate..."
She closed her eyes, murmuring as if in a dream: "Ni Xuan, I know what you want me to do. But forgive me for once again going against your will. Because I have found... a better choice."
She lifted her head. Her face, covered in countless scars, was now rippling with a smile that no living being would believe possible: "Ni Xuan, wait for me... I have found the most suitable, and the most desired, final home for You Er. Finally... I can see you again..."