# Chapter 1539: The Five Wasteland Realms
At that moment, the black-robed elder Qin Jian and Princess Hanwei led Yun Che as they flew toward the royal city they had barely escaped from.
Qin Jian did not try to dissuade. Once Dongfang Hanwei had seized upon a lifeline, her nature would never allow her to heed his advice... He also hoped that this person of unknown identity, whose entire being radiated a dangerous aura, could truly rescue the nation lord couple who were in peril.
In the past, Yun Che had never relied on his strength to bully or look down on others. When others treated him with courtesy, he never failed to return the same, especially having been deeply instructed by the Yun Valley and Xiao Lie; he always showed great respect toward unfamiliar elders. But now... Qin Jian and Dongfang Hanwei, who were at his side, remained in a state of heavy oppression the entire time, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Throughout the journey, whether it was the elder or the princess, he did not even give them a single direct glance.
As for why he had changed his mind and decided to lend a hand...
"Senior..." Princess Hanwei finally spoke timidly, carefully asking, "May I ask... how this senior should be addressed?"
"Yun Che."
Seeing that he had not ignored her but instead answered directly, the tension in Princess Hanwei's heart eased slightly. Qin Jian frowned and also ventured to ask, "With a venerable's abilities, you must surely be a great figure renowned across the region, yet I have never heard of you... Could it be that this venerable comes from another star region?"
Yun Che still stared straight ahead and spoke coldly, "What is the name of this star realm?"
Qin Jian paused, then said in sudden realization, "So that's it! This venerable is indeed... Ah, to answer your question, venerable, this realm is called the Eastern Wasteland Realm, one of the Five Wasteland Realms. The name of the Five Wasteland Realms—has this venerable ever heard of it?"
"No."
The cold, impatient two-word reply made Qin Jian's heart skip a beat... Not even knowing the Five Wasteland Realms? With his terrifying strength, he certainly could not be an ignorant and uninformed person. Therefore, it was highly likely that this person came from a higher plane—that is, an upper star realm! Hence, he had little understanding of mid-level star realms, or rather, he deemed them unworthy of his attention.
His posture and words immediately grew more respectful, and he hastened to explain in detail: "The Five Wasteland Realms are the five main star realms of this star region. They are: the Eastern Wasteland Realm where we are, the Western Wasteland Realm to the west, the Southern Wasteland Realm to the south, the Northern Wasteland Realm to the north, and the Central Wasteland Realm at the center."
"The Eastern Wasteland Realm is divided into three domains, and where we are is the Eastern Domain of the Eastern Wasteland Realm."
"The Eastern Domain has thirty-six kingdoms, and the Donghan Kingdom where this old man and her highness belong is one of those thirty-six. However, the strongest forces are the 'Nine Great Sects,'" Qin Jian subtly glanced at Yun Che's expression, then continued, "The person you killed earlier, venerable, came from Mingpeng Mountain, which is one of those Nine Great Sects."
"So, the one who has driven your Donghan Kingdom to the brink of destruction is this so-called Mingpeng clan?" Yun Che said with a blank expression, no one able to guess what was going through his mind.
"No," Princess Hanwei shook her head and said softly, "It is the Tianwu Kingdom. The Tianwu Kingdom borders our Donghan Kingdom and for many years has revealed its ambition to annex Donghan, with frequent battles. This time, they used some unknown means to gain the assistance of one of the Nine Great Sects, the 'Tai Dong Mansion,' and there are even rumors that the Tai Dong Mysterious Mansion has become the guardian sect of the Tianwu Kingdom."
"This time, they had a Divine King from the Tai Yin Divine Mansion supporting them, and we simply could not resist." Princess Hanwei's voice trembled. "I originally wanted to live and die with the royal city, but my father ordered Grandpa Qin to take me away from the city... and that Mingyang was clearly taking advantage of the chaos to loot, intending to kidnap me. As soon as we left the royal city, we encountered him. Grandpa Qin risked his life to shake him off, but then we ran into..."
Yun Che finally showed an expression—a faint trace of mockery on his face. "At least you are the imperial clan of a mid-level star realm, yet you don't even have a single Divine King. No wonder you are about to be destroyed!"
At his sarcasm, how could Princess Hanwei and Qin Jian dare to feel anger? Qin Jian sighed softly and said, "To be honest with you, venerable, our Donghan Kingdom actually did have a guardian Divine King named Fang Zhou. The nation lord always treated him with courtesy and great respect, honoring him as the Guardian National Teacher of Donghan, and the annual tribute was an enormous sum."
He paused, seeming somewhat hesitant, but then continued, "Although his temperament was extremely arrogant, his strength was unmatched. If he had been here, we would never have reached such a state. However, this time, when the Tianwu Kingdom suddenly launched a massive invasion with the support of the Tai Yin Divine Mansion, Fang Zhou happened to leave the city a few days ago on some business, and his whereabouts are unknown... Sigh."
"..." Yun Che narrowed his eyes.
Qin Jian said, "This venerable's strength is unfathomable. That we could obtain your assistance this time is surely the blessing of heaven upon our Donghan Kingdom. If... if this venerable is unwilling to involve himself too much, simply rescuing the nation lord would already be a heavenly grace. This old man is of little consequence but is willing to repay this favor for the rest of his life."
For a stranger of high standing to lend a hand, a great price had to be paid. He hoped that he himself, not Princess Hanwei, would be the one to pay that price.
At that moment, a faint fluctuation of profound energy suddenly came from Qin Jian's body. He paused momentarily, quickly took out a sound transmission jade that emitted a black, ghostly light.
After listening to the message, Qin Jian's expression shifted several times before finally revealing great joy. He lifted his head sharply and said excitedly to Princess Hanwei, "Highness! A message from the nation lord... The crisis at the royal city has been temporarily resolved! The crisis at the royal city has been temporarily resolved!"
"Ah!?" Princess Hanwei turned her head, her eyes trembling, hardly daring to believe her ears. "Is it... true? How can that be..."
"It is the National Teacher! The National Teacher returned just in time!" Qin Jian said, barely containing his excitement. "The Tianwu Kingdom feared that a battle between Divine Kings would cause massive casualties, so they had to temporarily withdraw their forces... Excellent! Thanks to the National Teacher's timely return, the nation lord is safe and sound."
Just a moment ago, when Qin Jian spoke of Fang Zhou, his words clearly carried dissatisfaction, even a trace of disgust, and he had addressed him by his full name. But now, not only did he respectfully call him "National Teacher," but his words were also filled with gratitude and relief.
"That's wonderful... wonderful." The gloom and fear that had been pressing down on Princess Hanwei's heart instantly dissipated like clouds, and tears shimmered in her eyes—this time, tears of joy.
The return of the Guardian Divine King Fang Zhou not only lifted the threat of the royal city falling but also brought a sense of reassurance for the future.
Amid her joy, she did not forget the matter of Yun Che. She quickly blinked away the watery light in her eyes and curtsied gracefully to Yun Che. "Senior Yun, the crisis at the royal city has been resolved, and there is no need to trouble you any further. However, senior saved my life, a great kindness that I cannot fail to repay. Please allow me to welcome you as a guest in our Donghan royal city, so that I may have the opportunity to repay this debt."
Repaying the life-saving grace was one reason, but if she could find a way to keep him in Donghan Kingdom, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous boon... Qin Jian had clearly said that he was a Divine King!
If, aside from the Guardian National Teacher Fang Zhou, Donghan Kingdom could gain another Divine King, then even the Tianwu Kingdom, with the support of the Tai Yin Divine Mansion, would have to think twice.
She then quickly added, "As for the matter of the Mingpeng young master, no one else was present, and we will certainly not breathe a word of it. Please rest assured, senior."
In the face of this sudden change, Yun Che seemed completely unfazed. Hearing Princess Hanwei's words, his reaction remained as calm as still water. "In that case, I shall see just how you plan to repay me. Lead the way!"
The Donghan royal city was shrouded in the smoke of war, but it still retained considerable grandeur.
The crisis had indeed been resolved; no soldiers or profound practitioners from the Tianwu Kingdom were in sight.
This was the first time Yun Che had truly entered a human city of the Northern Divine Region... or rather, a city of the demon people.
But if one forgot that they all cultivated dark profound force, what difference was there between the people and city before him and those of any other divine realm?
No sooner had the three entered the city than several heavily armored city-guarding profound practitioners came from afar, bowed low, and said, "Nineteenth Princess, Grandpa Qin, the nation lord ordered us to await your arrival."
"Where are my father and the others?" Dongfang Hanwei asked urgently.
"Reporting to the Nineteenth Princess, the nation lord is hosting a grand celebratory feast for the Guardian National Teacher. The nation lord said that once the Nineteenth Princess and Grandpa Qin returned safely, they should proceed directly to the hall."
"Good!" Dongfang Hanwei turned and said to Yun Che, "Senior, please follow me. My father has always respected the strong. When he meets you, he will surely be overjoyed."
She had thought that, given Yun Che's cold and aloof demeanor, he would most likely refuse. To her surprise, he simply uttered a flat "Mm" in response.
Dongfang Hanwei led the way, hurrying into the main hall of the royal city. Inside, a great feast was already laid out. The guests were either nobles of the royal family or important figures from various territories and sects across Donghan Kingdom, all possessing extraordinary auras and profound paths.
"Hanwei!"
As soon as Dongfang Hanwei stepped into the hall, the Donghan Nation Lord rose excitedly and strode quickly to greet her. Looking at his most beloved daughter, his eyes were filled with barely concealed concern. "Are you all right? Were you hurt?"
Dongfang Hanwei shook her head, holding back her tears. "Thanks to Grandpa Qin protecting me with his life, I am unharmed... Seeing that Your Majesty is safe, I can finally be at ease."
Wiping away her tears, she stepped half a pace aside. "Your Majesty, this senior is someone I encountered outside. He is a Divine King Venerable."
At the words "Divine King," countless gazes in the hall shot toward them. The Donghan Nation Lord's expression shifted dramatically. He looked at Qin Jian, who nodded slightly in confirmation. Without any further doubt, he took a hurried step forward. As the ruler of a nation, he actually bowed slightly. "A venerable has graced us with his presence, and I, this humble king, failed to welcome you from afar—most discourteous. At this moment, a celebratory feast is underway in the hall. If the venerable does not disdain this humble setting, may I invite you to join the feast?"
Yun Che responded with an "Mm" and walked straight in.
Under the personal arrangement of the Donghan Nation Lord, Yun Che was seated at a relatively honored position. His arrival caused the entire hall to fall noticeably quieter, with all eyes fixed upon him... Divine King—those two words carried immense intimidating power. Yet his face was far too young and unfamiliar.
"Fellow Daoist," came a calm voice from the main seat, tinged with an elusive air of authority. "May I ask how you are called, and from which sect or school you hail?"
The speaker was a clean-faced middle-aged man dressed in yellow robes. He swirled the wine cup in his hand and glanced sideways at Yun Che... Yun Che was indeed a Divine King; he could clearly sense his profound aura at the first level of the Divine King realm.
But compared to him, a third-level Divine King, he was far inferior—both in level and in the density of his aura.
In this grand feast, his seat was not at any of the regular tables but beside the main seat... He was actually seated level with the Donghan Nation Lord!
Because he was the Guardian Divine King of Donghan Kingdom, the National Teacher Fang Zhou, who had just rendered the great service of saving the city!
Yun Che reached out and picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, not even glancing at Fang Zhou, as if he hadn't heard his question at all.
Fang Zhou's brow furrowed slightly. Dongfang Hanwei quickly interjected, "This senior is named Yun Che. He is not from the Eastern Wasteland Realm."
"Yun Che? Hmph," Fang Zhou chuckled lightly and said leisurely, "This surnamed-Yun fellow Daoist, may I ask which sect you hail from... and what exactly is your intention in approaching the Nineteenth Princess and entering my Donghan royal clan!?"
His voice suddenly grew harsh, startling everyone. The Donghan Nation Lord quickly rose and said, "National Teacher, this venerable is a distinguished guest personally brought back by Hanwei. He surely has no ill intentions... Venerable Yun, the National Teacher is cautious by nature and means no offense. Please do not take it amiss."
"Hmph!" Fang Zhou said coldly, "In my thousands of years of life, not to mention the Eastern Wasteland Realm, throughout the entire Wasteland Star Region, there is no Divine King I cannot name. Yet the name Yun Che is utterly unheard of."
"Although you are merely a first-level Divine King who has just entered the king realm, you should still have the pride befitting a Divine King. How could you so easily accept an invitation... unless you harbor ulterior motives!?"
"..." Yun Che still gave no response, slowly twirling the chopsticks in his fingers.
Dongfang Hanwei stood up and bowed solemnly, saying, "National Teacher, Senior Yun is someone I encountered by chance. It was I who invited him to the royal city. Moreover, Senior Yun saved my life and Grandpa Qin's. Therefore, I can assure the National Teacher that Senior Yun is absolutely not what you fear."
"Is that so?" The Donghan Nation Lord was startled upon hearing this. He quickly bowed to Yun Che. "So the venerable saved my daughter's life. Such a great kindness... Please accept my bow."
"Oh?" Fang Zhou shifted his posture, finally looking at Yun Che straight on instead of from the corner of his eye. He said with a half-smile, "I see. It seems I was overthinking. Our Donghan Kingdom is in troubled times, so I must be extra vigilant. I hope you won't take offense."
"As an apology, if you have the leisure, I wouldn't mind offering you some guidance. What do you think?"
With these words, Fang Zhou showed his devotion to the royal family and his magnanimity. The word "guidance" was meant to tell everyone that this newly arrived Divine King was far beneath him.
In the Donghan Royal City, he was still the one on top.
Yun Che continued twirling his chopsticks. Finally, he spoke, his low, cold voice carrying a chill that reached everyone's ears: "Who do you think you are, to be worthy of guiding me?"