# Chapter 1556: The Central Wasteland Battle?
"its name is 'Void'." Yun Che said in a low voice.
"Void...?" Qianye Ying'er's golden brows furrowed.
"It is a special law, and perhaps even the 'Origin Force' of the Profound Dao. It can 'return all things to nothing' and transform them into its own power." Yun Che slowly narrated a principle that no one could possibly understand, and even he had only barely grasped the edges of the Void principle: "However, I am currently only at the initial stage of exploring it. The only things I can 'return to nothing' are these types of profound crystals that are easiest to 'return to nothing'."
"Only?" Being able to absorb the spiritual energy within magic crystals without any obstruction, not even detecting the process, and convert it into one's own cultivation—in his mouth, it was merely "initial exploration"? Merely "only"?
"Is this also the power that Jie Tian Mo Di left for you?"
As someone who once stood at the pinnacle of the current Profound Dao, Qianye Ying'er had never heard of any "Void Law". Yun Che's words were like a celestial scripture to her. But if this was a special power left by Jie Tian Mo Di, it was only natural that she couldn't understand it.
"..." Yun Che closed his eyes and did not answer.
Qianye Ying'er's gaze swept over the black magic crystals spread out by Yun Che, lost in thought: "So, you caused such a huge commotion here just to create a reason for plundering?"
The words Qianye Ying'er used were "plundering".
"That's right." Yun Che answered without any hesitation. "To advance quickly, I need an enormous amount of resources. But unfortunately, my current strength can only allow me to mingle among mid-level star realms."
"Heh..." Qianye Ying'er looked at Yun Che and suddenly let out a rather sardonic laugh. "It's often said that the hardest thing to change is human nature. But you have changed completely. Clearly, you want to plunder, yet you still want to have a righteous cause, making others willingly give you a reason. It's despicable enough to make one look at you in a new light."
Yun Che opened his eyes and shifted his gaze slightly.
At that moment, Qianye Ying'er's golden brows also moved sharply, and her voice lowered: "Divine Sovereign!"
"Divine Sovereign?" Yun Che stood up, his gaze hardening slightly. "This reception is beyond my expectations."
He was very certain that his actions in the Eastern Border Region would inevitably alarm the realm king sect of the East Wasteland Realm, and they would surely send people. He just hadn't expected them to send a Divine Sovereign in person.
But he was not panicked. He pushed his hand forward: "Wear this."
Qianye Ying'er took it: "What is this?"
"It's called a Reverse Abyss Stone." Yun Che said. What he handed to Qianye Ying'er was exactly the Reverse Abyss Stone that Jie Yuan had left for him, though he no longer needed it for now. "It can alter your aura. Inject your profound power into it, and you'll know how to use it."
Qianye Ying'er tentatively injected her profound energy into it. Immediately, a hint of surprise appeared on her face, and she whispered, "No wonder you managed to escape to the Northern Divine Region without a sound or trace."
As she spoke, her aura began to undergo subtle changes, her profound energy eerily transforming from the third level of the Divine Sovereign Realm to the first level of the Divine King Realm, matching Yun Che's.
A layer of pitch-black mask also covered her jade-like visage.
Just then, Dongfang Hanwei's sound transmission came through the barrier urgently: "Senior Yun! It's the Great Realm King... this time, it's really the Great Realm King's people! You... ah!"
Before she could finish her urgent transmission, it turned into a cry of surprise, followed by her voice outside, tinged with obvious panic: "Fath... Father."
"This is my daughter, Hanwei. Hanwei, quickly greet Princess Yan and Senior Jiu!"
"No need!" A rather cold and imposing female voice approached: "Where is Yun Che?"
"Yes... this king will lead the way immediately."
The voice of the Donghan Kingdom Lord was many times more humble and cowering than when he had faced the Nine Great Sects. Before he could arrive, Yun Che had already pushed open the large door and walked out of the barrier. Immediately, two sharp gazes fell upon him.
Behind Yun Che, Qianye Ying'er followed silently.
"Venerable Yun!" Seeing Yun Che emerge, the Donghan Kingdom Lord immediately stepped forward, suppressing a clearly complex expression, and said solemnly, "These two are distinguished guests from the East Wasteland Sect. This is Princess Yan, daughter of the Great Realm King..."
"My name is Dong Xueyan." The woman coldly cut off the Donghan Kingdom Lord's words, sizing up Yun Che several times. His overly calm and indifferent gaze made her very uncomfortable: "You are Yun Che?"
The old man behind Dong Xueyan had a noticeable flicker in his brow for an instant, then returned to normal.
"What business do you have with me?" Yun Che said coldly.
Not only was his voice cold, but he also showed no trace of awe or reverence for her status. Dong Xueyan frowned deeply, then let out a low laugh: "You are even more arrogant than the rumors suggest."
"Yun Che, do you know whose land this East Wasteland Realm is?" Dong Xueyan stepped forward, exuding a terrifying authority befitting a "Princess Yan": "The land here, along with the Nine Great Sects, are all under the protection of my East Wasteland Sect! You, an outsider, have trampled wantonly over this Eastern Border Region, forcibly subjugating these Nine Great Sects... That could be overlooked, given that your strength indeed qualifies you to be the overlord of this land. But after so many days, you have not gone to pay respects to my father, nor even sent the simplest message or visiting card! You simply hold my East Wasteland Sect in contempt!"
"Princess Yan!" The Donghan Kingdom Lord said urgently, "Venerable Yun absolutely has no such intention. He had long planned to visit the Great Realm King, but was recently tied up by matters..."
"Silence!" Dong Xueyan snapped coldly, her gaze towards Yun Che gradually turning icy... Because faced with her words, Yun Che's eyes showed not even a flicker, which undoubtedly angered her: "When did it become your turn to speak?"
The Donghan Kingdom Lord quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.
"Hehe," the old man suddenly spoke, but his tone was exceptionally gentle: "Her Highness is quick-tempered and not well-versed in etiquette. If her words are too harsh and cause offense, I hope you will forgive us, esteemed guest."
"...?" The old man's words made Dong Xueyan turn her head in astonishment, but she did not speak.
"And who are you?" Yun Che glanced sideways.
"This old man is Dong Jiukui. If you don't mind, esteemed guest, you may call me Old Jiu." The old man said with a genial smile. "Your esteemed self, single-handedly defeating the combined forces of the Yunyang Sword Master and the Mingpeng Ancestor—such strength is truly admirable. And a strong person has the right to be arrogant. The Great Realm King holds no grudge; on the contrary, he greatly admires you. Otherwise, why would he send Her Highness here in person?"
Dong Xueyan knew Dong Jiukui's status very well. Watching him treat Yun Che with such deference, she was inwardly astonished.
"Is that so?" Yun Che narrowed his eyes. "Then what do you want from me? Don't waste my time!"
Facing the daughter of the Great Realm King, he spoke with such harsh and rude words. The Donghan Kingdom Lord and Dongfang Hanwei both felt their hearts tighten with shock.
Dong Jiukui's attitude made Dong Xueyan forcefully suppress the anger in her heart. Remembering the purpose of her visit today, she finally managed to make her expression and voice relatively calm: "I have come today on behalf of my father to invite you to participate in the 'Central Wasteland Battle' one month from now!"
The Donghan Kingdom Lord and Dongfang Hanwei both looked up simultaneously. They clearly knew what the "Central Wasteland Battle" was.
Qianye Ying'er, who had been silent and indifferent, also had a strange glint flash in her eyes.
This star region consisted of five star realms: the East Wasteland Realm, West Wasteland Realm, South Wasteland Realm, North Wasteland Realm, and Central Wasteland Realm. The "Central Wasteland Battle" was clearly related to the Central Wasteland Realm.
However, Yun Che couldn't even be bothered to ask. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he was about to respond when behind him, Qianye Ying'er's cold voice suddenly rang out: "Fine, we accept."
"..." Yun Che's brow moved slightly, but he said nothing.
Qianye Ying'er's face was masked, her aura concealed, and she stood a step behind Yun Che. Dong Xueyan and Dong Jiukui had their attention focused on Yun Che and hadn't paid much attention to her. Now, she had spoken before Yun Che, causing both of them to turn their gazes and look deeply at her.
"And who are you?" Dong Xueyan asked.
"My name is Yun Qianying. I am merely a maidservant by Yun Che's side." Qianye Ying'er said lightly.
"A maidservant?" Dong Xueyan squinted her beautiful eyes: "A maidservant who directly calls her master by his given name is quite rare!"
"There is a special way of getting along between us. It's only natural that you find it hard to understand, Princess Yan." Compared to Yun Che's harsh tone, Qianye Ying'er's words were much gentler. She looked at Yun Che, seemingly seeking his opinion: "Yun Che, this is, after all, the territory of the East Wasteland Realm. We have stirred up such a storm here yet have not visited the Great Realm King for so long. It is indeed improper on our part."
Yun Che: "..."
"Now that the Great Realm King has sent Princess Yan here in person, it shows his sincerity in inviting us. It is also a perfect opportunity to pay our respects to the Great Realm King. If we can serve the Great Realm King from now on, it would be both an honor and an opportunity. There is no reason to refuse. What do you think?"
"When the Great Realm King personally invites us, and the esteemed Princess Yan herself delivers the invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"
Yun Che's face was still as stiff and cold as ever, making Dong Xueyan want to punch him. But his tone had softened considerably, and he showed no intention of refusing Dong Xueyan's invitation.
"Good." Dong Xueyan nodded. As the Yan Princess, she held an extremely high status in the East Wasteland Realm. No one had ever dared to show her the slightest disrespect. She had never met someone with a face like Yun Che's. If it weren't for this critical period, and if her father hadn't developed a great interest in this suddenly appearing figure, she might have had Dong Jiukui kill this arrogant and reckless brat right here.
Her objective achieved and the other party not refusing, Dong Xueyan really didn't want to look at him any longer. She turned around, and with a backhanded motion, pushed a token entwined with blue-green light towards Yun Che, saying coldly: "This token already has your name engraved on it. Within thirty days, bring this token to the East Wasteland Sect. If you're late, the consequences are your own!"
"Ninth Elder, let's go." Dong Xueyan walked away directly, not even bothering to ask about Yun Che's background.
Dong Jiukui nodded slightly to Yun Che, said with a smile, "I believe that you will surely shine brilliantly in this Central Wasteland Battle. This old man greatly anticipates it. Farewell."
As he left, his gaze seemed to casually glance at Qianye Ying'er.
"This king sees you off..."
"No need!" Dong Xueyan said coldly, freezing the Donghan Kingdom Lord in place.
Once outside the Donghan Royal City, Dong Xueyan's face suddenly sank. She stopped in her tracks, causing the ground beneath her to tremble violently. She said hatefully, "I have never seen such an arrogant and rude scoundrel. He simply holds my East Wasteland Sect in contempt!"
"Hehe." Dong Jiukui chuckled. "No need to be angry. He indeed has the right to be arrogant."
Dong Xueyan said, "Ninth Elder, why were you so courteous to him? Could it be..."
She suddenly thought of something, and her expression changed.
"No," Dong Jiukui knew what she was thinking and shook his head: "Rest assured, his cultivation is indeed at the Divine King Realm, without a doubt. He is not a Divine Sovereign, and his lifespan will not exceed fifty Jiazi. He is qualified to participate in the Central Wasteland Battle. However..."
"However what?"
"However..." Dong Jiukui paused, his face turning solemn: "That rumor I initially thought was nonsense turned out to be true. His cultivation is indeed only at the first level of the Divine King Realm."
"..." Dong Xueyan was stunned, then exclaimed: "Impossible! How could a first level Divine King Realm defeat the Yunyang Sword Master and the Mingpeng Ancestor!? Did... did he use some kind of illusion technique?"
Dong Jiukui did not explain, continuing: "I was previously worried that with his cultivation, his lifespan might exceed the limit. But... another rumor is also true. His life aura is shockingly young."
"How young?"
Dong Jiukui slowly extended three fingers.
"Does that mean... his age has not exceeded thirty Jiazi?" As she spoke, a look of astonishment appeared on Dong Xueyan's face. Under thirty Jiazi, at most a little over a thousand years old, yet he possessed the strength of a peak Divine King?
"No," Dong Jiukui shook his head again: "I sense that his age is likely... under three Jiazi!"