# Chapter 1562: Beihan Chu
Upon hearing Nanhuang Chanyi's words, the crowd was only slightly startled, but when Nanhuang Mofeng uttered "fifth-level Divine King," their stunned expressions instantly turned into looks of surprise and awkwardness.
A fifth-level Divine King… joining the Middle Ruins battle formation?! What kind of joke was this? And it was personally invited by Nanhuang Chanyi no less!
"It's you two?" The former Nanhuang Crown Prince, Nanhuang Jian, immediately recognized Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er. He furrowed his brows and said, "Chanyi, the Middle Ruins battle is no laughing matter. You can't be joking."
"I am not joking."
Yun Che had never told Nanhuang Chanyi his profound strength level, and with her cultivation, she couldn't accurately sense it either. But after personally hearing Nanhuang Mofeng say "fifth-level Divine King," her reaction was unusually calm: "This gentleman is named Yun Che. I encountered him by chance in the Middle Ruins realm, so I invited him to join our formation for the Middle Ruins battle."
"By chance?" Nanhuang Mofeng's brows sank even deeper. "The Middle Ruins battle is no small matter. Every external reinforcement must be handled with extreme caution. How can you be so hasty?!"
"If his strength were sufficient, we might be able to accommodate him. But he's just a fifth-level Divine King—no matter what, he doesn't qualify to enter the formation!"
After all, Nanhuang Mofeng was of the elder generation. In the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, his strength, status, and prestige were second only to the Nanhuang Shenjun himself. Moreover, this matter was simply too outrageous—he was right to reprimand her somewhat.
"Uncle Feng," Nanhuang Jian said, "I've seen these two before. They were being harassed by the Eastern Ruins Crown Prince Dong Xueci, and Chanyi spoke up to help them out. They were clearly strangers before this. I just don't understand why Chanyi would suddenly make such a decision. Unless…"
Nanhuang Jian's gaze suddenly turned cold: "Are you two lying about your cultivation levels?!"
On the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's side, there were only four tenth-level Divine Kings—a rather poor showing compared to the other three realms. If Yun Che had falsely claimed to be a tenth-level Divine King, he might indeed have fooled Nanhuang Chanyi into accepting him directly.
And it seemed that was the only explanation that made sense.
"…" Yun Che showed no reaction at all.
Nanhuang Chanyi did not explain either. Her eyes, hidden behind the beaded curtain, cast a faint, enigmatic glance at Yun Che before she turned around and said to the Nanhuang Shenjun, "Father, what do you think?"
The Nanhuang Shenjun cast his gaze downward, letting it fall upon Yun Che. After a brief pause, he said, "How much do you know about him?"
"Nothing at all," was Nanhuang Chanyi's answer.
The Nanhuang Shenjun's brows twitched slightly, but his tone remained gentle: "In that case, I want to hear your reasoning, my daughter."
"To answer you, Father, there is no reasoning," Nanhuang Chanyi said softly. "I simply felt that he must be extraordinary, so I extended the invitation."
"Just that?" The Nanhuang Shenjun showed a hint of surprise.
"Just that." Nanhuang Chanyi nodded. "Only ten people can enter the battlefield. Adding one more is optional—it does no harm."
"That's not how it is!" Nanhuang Mofeng said in a deep voice. "The battle formation in the Middle Ruins represents the face of our Nanhuang Divine Kingdom! We have always been weak, and our formation has always been criticized. Last time, because we had two eighth-level Divine Kings in our formation, do you know how much ridicule we endured?!"
"This time, to avoid repeating that mistake, we've assembled this lineup of four tenth-level Divine Kings and eight ninth-level Divine Kings, and we've paid a tremendous price in effort and resources. If a fifth-level Divine King enters the formation…"
"Soon the entire world will know that even a fifth-level Divine King can enter the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's Middle Ruins battle formation! What a joke that would be!"
"Absolutely not!"
Nanhuang Mofeng's voice grew heavier, and every word he spoke was perfectly reasonable. Everyone agreed with him.
"The Middle Ruins battle is imminent. Chanyi must have been too eager, which led her to be deceived and make this decision under a lapse of judgment. We can't blame her." Nanhuang Jian quickly defended Nanhuang Chanyi, then turned his gaze and said to Yun Che, "You two, leave the Nanhuang Order and go now. I don't know what means you used to deceive Chanyi, but since today's important matters take precedence, we won't pursue this further. In the future, if you wish to enter our Southern Ruins, you are still welcome."
After all, they were two fifth-level Divine Kings—if they could be recruited, that would be a good thing.
Nanhuang Chanyi, however, ignored Nanhuang Jian's words. With a wave of her jade hand, she said, "Please, take your seats."
The seats she indicated were right beside her!
"This…" Nanhuang Jian looked up in shock, his face full of confusion.
"Very well." Yun Che nodded slightly and walked forward with Qianye Ying'er, directly taking their seats beside Nanhuang Chanyi, paying no heed to the strange looks from those around them.
Nanhuang Mofeng's brows furrowed sharply, and his face showed anger: "Chanyi, you…"
"Uncle Feng," two soft, faint words carried an almost imperceptible chill and authority, directly cutting off Nanhuang Mofeng's impending words, "I am now the Crown Princess. Since you care so much about our royal family's face, you should address me by my title. Why do you keep calling me by my name?!"
"…" Nanhuang Mofeng's expression froze, and he was momentarily dumbfounded.
"This Middle Ruins battle has been entrusted to me by Father to lead entirely! My decision is the final decision—no one is allowed to question or interfere!"
"The Nanhuang battle formation will add Yun Che as one more member. This matter is decided—no one is to speak further!"
The Nanhuang battle formation fell silent, and everyone exchanged glances.
Nanhuang Chanyi had a gentle and mild temperament, yet with an innate coolness and aloofness. Although her beauty was renowned far and wide, she rarely appeared in public. Even the Middle Ruins battle was her first time participating—and that was due to reasons everyone already knew.
Her words, plain as they were, carried an undeniable authority and finality. Not only the others present, but even Nanhuang Jian and Nanhuang Mofeng were seeing Nanhuang Chanyi in such a state for the first time.
"Withdraw." Amid everyone's bewilderment, the Nanhuang Shenjun spoke. His tone was calm and unreadable: "Chanyi is right. Since the Middle Ruins battle formation has been entrusted to her, she should decide everything. But you must bear the consequences of today—and the future—yourself."
"I understand." Nanhuang Chanyi nodded slightly.
"But…" Nanhuang Jian wanted to say something, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he met the Nanhuang Shenjun's gaze and had to forcefully swallow them back. He could only glare fiercely at Yun Che.
In this Nanhuang battle formation, he was the strongest. Aside from him, the weakest was at the ninth-level Divine King. But now a fifth-level Divine King had suddenly been mixed in… The original twelve participants all frowned deeply, looking at Yun Che with extremely hostile eyes.
Because Yun Che's joining had practically dragged down the caliber of all of them! It had stripped away the last shred of face from the Nanhuang battle formation.
They couldn't understand what Nanhuang Chanyi was thinking! If she had been deceived earlier, then after Nanhuang Mofeng exposed that he was only a fifth-level Divine King, why was she still so stubborn?
And the Nanhuang Shenjun was actually allowing it!
Nanhuang Mofeng gave a heavy snort and said nothing more, but his expression was extremely unpleasant.
Amid the crowd's strange gazes, Nanhuang Chanyi sat down gracefully. Then she sent a voice transmission to Yun Che: "Don't disappoint me too much."
"You won't regret it," Yun Che replied. "But… you heard it—I'm just a fifth-level Divine King. I'm honestly curious: where does your confidence in me come from?"
Nanhuang Chanyi turned her head slightly: "Confidence? How do you know I have any confidence in you? I'm merely protecting my authority as the Crown Princess. This is the first time I've been in charge since inheriting the title. If I were to change my decision because of others' words, what authority would I have left?"
"You can also think of it as sheer willfulness."
Yun Che: "…"
On the other side of the Middle Ruins battlefield, a few gazes fell upon the southern direction, and then turned playful.
"Big brother, it's Yun Che!" Dong Xueyan said. "He went over to the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom?"
"Heh heh," Dong Xueci laughed. "Interesting, interesting. It seems he roughly understood the consequences of offending me, so he's seeking shelter from the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom. A fifth-level Divine King… heh, to the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, that's a rare and precious asset."
Every word he spoke was dripping with contempt.
"The position he's in… could it be that he's entered the Nanhuang battle formation?" Dong Xueyan raised an eyebrow.
"Impossible," Dong Xueci said leisurely. "Letting a fifth-level Divine King enter the Middle Ruins battle? Although the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom doesn't have much face to begin with, they wouldn't throw away their last scrap of dignity."
On the Eastern Ruins Sect side, Dong Jiukui had also arrived, but he didn't notice Yun Che on the Nanhuang side. His attention, along with that of the Eastern Ruins Shenjun, was focused on the Northern Cold City area.
Because what was about to happen today would, to a great extent, determine the Eastern Ruins Sect's future status among the Five Realms of the Dark Ruins.
The closer the start of the Middle Ruins battle drew, the more the four Shenjun looked up toward the west… Finally, from the western sky, an aura rapidly approached. Then a cheerful voice pierced through layers of space and crowd, sounding in everyone's ears:
"Beihan Chu, a disciple of the Cangjian Palace of the Jiuyao Tiangong, has come specially to attend the Middle Ruins battle."
The Beihan Shenjun instantly stood up, a smile on his face. Then the other three Realm Kings, and even all the profound practitioners from the four sects, rose to their feet. The observing profound practitioners held their breath, craning their necks to gaze into the distance, their faces full of excitement and reverence.
In the Five Realms of the Dark Ruins, who didn't know the names of Beihan Chu and the Jiuyao Tiangong?
Soon, a small profound ark appeared in view. Two people stood on the ark. The one in front was dressed in black, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, an extraordinary aura—he was none other than the former Northern Cold Crown Prince, now the chief disciple of the Cangjian Palace of the Jiuyao Tiangong, Beihan Chu!
The person accompanying him was a stern-looking middle-aged man. He was not the Cangjian Venerable, and his position was clearly behind Beihan Chu.
Behind the two was a square barrier about a person's height. It appeared to be a sealing barrier—the black light swirling around it prevented anyone from clearly seeing or probing what was sealed within.
Amid countless gazes looking up, the profound ark halted directly above the Middle Ruins battlefield. Beihan Chu descended from the ark, followed by the middle-aged man, who remained behind him.
But the profound ark was not retrieved; instead, it carried the dark barrier and floated quietly high in the sky.
"Chu'er, you've arrived." The Beihan Shenjun stepped forward to greet him, his face no longer bearing the authority of a realm's king, but filled with a wide smile.
"Father!" Beihan Chu bowed deeply to the Beihan Shenjun, then greeted all around: "I was delayed by some matters and arrived late. I ask everyone's forgiveness for keeping you waiting."
When his gaze swept over the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, it lingered noticeably on Nanhuang Chanyi, and a smile crossed his face.
"Ha ha ha ha!" The Nanhuang Shenjun let out a loud laugh. "Good nephew, you are too modest. Your presence here today has already added brilliance to this Middle Ruins battle. Jian'er, when it comes to age, Beihan Chu is not even half your age. Yet he is not only extraordinarily talented, but even in the Jiuyao Tiangong, he holds an exalted position, and still he remains so humble and courteous. You should learn from his example."
"Yes," Nanhuang Jian said respectfully. "Your son will heed Father's teachings."
The Nanhuang Shenjun was the first to offer such praise, instantly adding a layer of ambiguity to the pre-battle atmosphere. The rumor that had long been circulating was now one step closer to reality.
"Chu'er, where is your master? Will he arrive a little later?" The Beihan Shenjun took Beihan Chu's hand and asked with a smile.
"In reply to Father, my master was originally traveling with me, but we encountered an unexpected incident midway. Master went to attend to other matters and instructed me to oversee and witness today's Middle Ruins battle on his behalf," Beihan Chu answered.
Beihan Chu's words caused a flicker of surprise in everyone's eyes. The Cangjian Venerable would not be coming today? What could have happened mid-journey that was important enough to divert him?
In front of everyone, the Beihan Shenjun naturally wouldn't ask further. He nodded slowly: "I see. What a pity, but since the Cangjian Venerable has moved, it must be a matter of great importance. The important matters take precedence. Ah, by the way, Chu'er, who is this?"
His gaze shifted to the middle-aged man who had been standing behind Beihan Chu the whole time. As his attention moved, his brows twitched suddenly, because he now noticed that this seemingly unremarkable man, who appeared to be Beihan Chu's attendant, actually possessed an aura… that was not inferior to his own!
And the Beihan Shenjun was the strongest person in the Five Realms of the Dark Ruins.
"Oh!" Beihan Chu quickly introduced him: "Father, this elder is surnamed Lu, named Bubai, with the title of Shangren Bubai. He is the third Palace Master of our Cangjian Palace."
"What—!" Beihan Chu's words made the Beihan Shenjun, as well as everyone else, inwardly shocked.
The third Palace Master of the Cangjian Palace—what an exalted existence!
Because he had always stood behind Beihan Chu, no one could have imagined that this man would have such an astonishing identity.
The Beihan Shenjun's body quickly bent forward, his voice tinged with a hint of trepidation: "This humble king, Beihan Shuo, pays respects to Shangren Bubai. Not knowing of your esteemed presence, I have been remiss in my courtesies…"
"Enough!" Before the Beihan Shenjun could finish, he was coldly cut off by Bubai Shangren: "I am here today only to protect the Young Palace Master's safety. Everything else has nothing to do with me. You may as well act as if I don't exist."
Bubai Shangren's words caused Beihan Chu's head to snap up: "Young… Palace Master?"
Also, the esteemed third Palace Master of the Cangjian Palace… personally protecting Beihan Chu's safety? And his position was even behind him?!
"Hm?" Bubai Shangren cast a sidelong glance. "Have you not yet been informed? The Young Palace Master has now entered the 'Beiyu Tianjun Roster.'"
BOOM—
Beiyu Tianjun Roster—those faint five words were like countless thunderclaps exploding in everyone's hearts.
The Beihan Shenjun… the strongest person in the Five Realms of the Dark Ruins—he stood there dumbfounded on the spot, feeling all the blood in his body frantically rush to his head. His usually dignified face turned bright red, and his words, under extreme excitement, trembled with every syllable: "What… did you… say…?"