# Chapter 1572: Forcibly Courting Death
"Not using one?" Bei Hanchu smiled faintly. "Yun Che, I am here today on behalf of my master, and also representing the Nine Yao Celestial Palace to supervise and witness the Central Ruins Battle. The battle just now also falls within the scope of the Central Ruins Battle."
"As a supervisor and witness, I will not allow any violation of the rules to occur!" Bei Hanchu's tone remained unchanged, but his gaze sank slightly. "Especially in front of me, it's better not to lie."
"Is that so?" Yun Che gave a half-smile. "Then tell me, what kind of demonic artifact did I use?"
"Heh heh," knowing that Yun Che would say exactly this, Bei Hanchu chuckled. "The demonic artifact you used should be a 'container-type' artifact, capable of releasing a large amount of sealed darkforce in an instant. When released, darkness spreads, cutting off both sight and spiritual perception, so naturally no one could see it."
"To be able to suppress and ravage peak Divine Kings to such a degree with darkforce, given your cultivation level, the only type of artifact at that level you could control would be a 'container-type.' Am I right?"
Bei Hanchu spoke slowly and deliberately, and the thoughts of the surrounding profound practitioners were drawn along by his words, their hearts gradually filling with understanding and admiration.
On the Nanhuang side, no one spoke, their expressions conflicted... Clearly, even they fully believed that Yun Che must have relied on some extremely powerful demonic artifact. That darkness that sealed everything was released by the artifact... Otherwise, how could Yun Che alone have defeated ten peak Divine Kings!
And all heavily injured within just a few breaths!
Furthermore, even if one were to concede a billion times over that he truly had the strength to defeat ten Divine Kings, why would he need to suddenly unleash that dark profound energy that isolated the entire world at the start... That was obviously to hide something.
"In other words, all of this is just your speculation." Yun Che still wore that cold, detached expression that would irritate anyone who saw it. "Does your Nine Yao Celestial Palace act based on conjecture?"
"You insolent brat!" At Yun Che's words, Bei Han Divine Lord flew into a rage. "How dare you speak such disrespectful words to the Nine Yao Celestial Palace! Are you tired of living?!"
"Father, please don't be angry." Bei Hanchu raised a hand, showing no anger at all, and instead his smile deepened. "It's true that no one saw Yun Che use a demonic artifact with their own eyes, so his words are understandable. Anyone who had finally achieved this result would cling to it tightly."
"But," Bei Hanchu's eyes took on a strange glint, "as the supervisor and witness, it is my duty to determine the fairest outcome."
He rose from his seat of honor and slowly descended, releasing a faint, intangible Divine Lord pressure that enveloped the entire battlefield. His voice also gained a hint of intimidating authority. "Since you insist so adamantly that you didn't use a forbidden demonic artifact beyond the battlefield level, then that means you relied on your own strength to defeat and heavily injure these ten peak Divine Kings within three breaths."
"Although no one in the world would believe something so absurd, I will give you a chance to prove yourself... and you must prove yourself!"
His steps landed on the Central Ruins battlefield, standing before Yun Che, hands clasped behind his back, speaking calmly. "As the supervisor, I will personally spar with you. If you can prove, through my hands, that you possess such strength, then no one will have anything more to say. The battle just now will count as your victory. For the next five hundred years, the Central Ruins Realm will belong entirely to the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom."
Buzzzz—
The battlefield suddenly seemed to be swarming with hornets, buzzing with noise.
The Central Ruins Battle was a battle for mid-level star realms. And who was Bei Hanchu? Extremely young, yet already one of the Young Palace Masters of the Nine Yao Celestial Palace, and also listed on the Northern Domain Heavenly Sovereign Ranking. Even among upper-level star realms, he was a transcendent existence that drew the world's attention!
And such a Bei Hanchu, for the sake of "proof," was personally sparring with Yun Che!?
Western Ruins Divine Lord quickly spoke up: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! For such a trivial matter, proof can be obtained much more simply. Young Palace Master, with your status, how could you stoop to such a level?"
"Indeed! A minor Nanhuang profound practitioner playing tricks is not worthy of the Young Palace Master's personal intervention! If the Young Palace Master fears a lack of fairness, I can take your place. The Young Palace Master need only supervise." Eastern Ruins Divine Lord followed closely.
Bei Han Divine Lord did not stop them. A father knows his son best. For Bei Hanchu to suddenly do this, there must be a purpose.
"Alas," Nanhuang Chanyi sighed softly. She glanced back slightly and said to Qianye Ying'er, "Your young master is truly wicked."
She knew that this was Yun Che's way of retaliating against her... provoking Bei Hanchu would touch upon the Nine Yao Celestial Palace. And Yun Che was currently standing on Nanhuang's side. If there were any consequences, Nanhuang would have to bear them. If they couldn't bear them, the consequence could even be the annihilation of the nation.
This was retaliation, and also... a test of her.
"It was you who took the initiative first." Qianye Ying'er finally spoke to Nanhuang Chanyi, but when she spoke, her gaze did not turn toward her at all. "In this world, not everyone is worthy of your scheming!"
"..." Nanhuang Chanyi was neither anxious nor angry. Instead, the jewel-like lips beneath her colorful veil gently curled into a radiant arc. "Interesting."
Even more interesting than the rumors.
"No need," Bei Hanchu flatly refused the flattery of the two Divine Lords, his eyes fixed on Yun Che. "Today, since I am the supervisor, it is only proper that I handle matters personally."
"And if you cannot prove it," Bei Hanchu continued, "then I will have no choice but to pursue the matter of you maliciously deceiving the supervisor and insulting my Nine Yao Celestial Palace. The consequences will not be as simple as losing... I will have to take you back to the Nine Yao Celestial Palace and hand you over to my master for judgment!"
"Furthermore, this matter concerns the final result of the Central Ruins Battle. You have no right to refuse!"
The atmosphere grew slightly tense. Then, the gazes of the crowd toward Yun Che began to carry deeper and deeper pity.
This was the consequence of overplaying one's hand and being stubborn and deceitful in front of the Nine Yao Celestial Palace.
Of course, there were also a few who saw through it at a glance... Bei Hanchu's move was very likely motivated by an interest in the mysterious demonic artifact Yun Che had used earlier.
The sin of possessing a treasure was well known. And for the weak to possess a treasure was an even greater sin!
Bei Hanchu personally entered the battlefield. The might of the Nine Yao Celestial Palace loomed large. Yun Che had no choice but to accept, whether he wanted to or not.
As for outsiders, not to mention stopping or dissuading, they didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.
"...Fine." After a moment of silence, Yun Che spoke. "Then, if I prove that I did not use a demonic artifact?"
"Oh?" Bei Hanchu's lips curled slightly.
"The battle just now has already produced a result. This so-called 'proof' is nothing but an arbitrary addition. If I cannot prove it, I will not only be judged defeated, but also fall into the hands of the Nine Yao Celestial Palace. But if I can prove it... am I supposed to just accept this baseless slander for nothing!?"
"Hahahaha!" Bei Hanchu threw his head back and laughed. "Well said. Those are the words of an intelligent man. If you hadn't said that, I might have been disappointed."
Bei Hanchu flicked his finger, and with a flash of white light, a sword nearly eight feet long appeared in his hand. The blade was long, straight, and grayish-white, but strangely, a faint black aura swirled around it.
"Zangtian Sword!"
As soon as the sword appeared, Bei Han Divine Lord let out an involuntary cry of astonishment.
The mere three-character name of the sword made everyone's heart leap violently. Those who used swords had eyes that blazed with extreme fervor.
"This sword is called Zangtian. My Zangjian Palace is named after it. Three months ago, my master bestowed it upon me as a gift."
He rotated his palm, and the Zangtian Sword vanished. The world suddenly lost a dazzling sword light. Bei Hanchu said leisurely, "This sword, which guards my Nine Yao Celestial Palace, is worth a hundred Nanhuangs! If you can prove yourself, I will not only personally apologize to you, but I will also gift you this Zangtian Sword to compensate for the grievance you have suffered."
"So, do you have anything else to say?"
Everyone stared wide-eyed, holding their breath for a long time.
The Zangtian Sword! That was the Zangtian Sword! Even within the Nine Yao Celestial Palace, it was a treasure that guarded the palace! That it was bestowed upon Bei Hanchu so early surprised no one, after all, Bei Hanchu was the first person in the history of the Nine Yao Celestial Palace to enter the Northern Domain Heavenly Sovereign Ranking.
And with the Zangtian Sword as a "stake," what could Yun Che possibly say? What retreat could he have?
This was undoubtedly sealing off all of Yun Che's avenues of retreat... At the same time, it was obviously because he was certain that Yun Che could never truly "prove" himself.
"..." Nanhuang Chanyi's eyes rippled. She, who had previously held the power of speech for Nanhuang, said not a single word after Bei Hanchu stepped down from his seat of honor and stood before Yun Che.
Bei Hanchu was a true unparalleled genius. Born in a mid-level star realm, yet able to enter the Northern Domain Heavenly Sovereign Ranking—this was the best proof. Such a Bei Hanchu, in any realm, was worthy of praise and adoration, and had the capital to be arrogant before any peer.
But... while everyone else was pitying Yun Che with their eyes, Nanhuang Chanyi was pitying Bei Hanchu with hers... Right now, he had no idea what kind of monster he was facing.
"Fine! Just don't regret it." Yun Che nodded. There was no tension, no fear, not a single expression on his face.
He had been like this ever since he entered the battlefield, giving the impression that he would never show any emotional fluctuation.
"In my life, I have never had the word 'regret.' Keep such useless advice for yourself."
Finding Yun Che's bluster and forced calm laughable, Bei Hanchu narrowed his eyes and walked forward slowly, stopping only when he was less than ten zhang away from Yun Che.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't stoop to bullying a mid-stage Divine King." Bei Hanchu wore a faint smile, his voice casual. His hands remained loosely behind his back, and there was no sign of profound energy stirring on his body. "I'll let you have three moves... ah, no, let's make it seven moves. Within seven moves, I won't strike back, I won't dodge, I won't even counter-shock. I'll give you more than enough space to show your skills. How about that? Are you satisfied?"
"Satisfied, very satisfied!" Yun Che nodded, raising his arm and casually flexing his wrist.
"Then, make your move." Bei Hanchu still stood with his hands behind his back, his posture casual. "Let me, and everyone else here, get a good look at the strength that defeated ten peak Divine Kings!"
Yun Che said nothing more. With a shift of his foot and a flicker of his form, he dashed straight toward Bei Hanchu, a clump of faint black aura gathering on his raised right hand.
His speed was not fast, and the black aura on his hand appeared exceptionally thin. He charged to within reach of Bei Hanchu and threw a straight punch at his heart.
Until he was right in front of him, Bei Hanchu did not move a muscle... Ridiculous! As a Divine Lord, how could he possibly care about the power of a Divine King?
In Yun Che's previous two battles, he had briefly released power close to a Half-step Divine Lord. Although the Half-step Divine Lord realm was the closest to a true Divine Lord, the gap between them was still an insurmountable chasm! Even if Yun Che were to unleash Half-step Divine Lord power again, he wouldn't even raise an eyebrow.
As for this soft, limp attack before him, it only made him feel laughable.
Boom!
Yun Che's right hand, wrapped in black light, struck Bei Hanchu directly in the chest, producing a not-so-loud impact.
Bei Han Divine Lord, Eastern Ruins Divine Lord, Western Ruins Divine Lord, and the Venerable Bubai—at this moment, a sneer and cold laughter flashed across their faces simultaneously. Such power, before a true Divine Lord, wasn't even worth a joke.
If he hadn't been interested in the mysterious demonic artifact on Yun Che, he would never have deigned to personally spar with him.
But... the judgmental faint smile on Bei Hanchu's face froze in an instant.
The moment Yun Che's palm touched his chest, within his mind, and inside his body, it felt as if a thousand, ten thousand volcanoes had simultaneously collapsed and erupted.
BOOM—
"AHHH!"
A scream that seemed to tear through his throat erupted. In the blink of an eye, Bei Hanchu, who had been standing proudly like a mountain a moment before, was sent rolling like a kicked leather ball... shooting out, flying several li before crashing heavily to the ground.
Whether by accident or design, Bei Hanchu's body, driven by that terrifying force, slammed face-first into the ground upon impact. His face plowed through the earth for another thousand zhang before finally coming to a stop, while a spray of broken teeth and bloody spittle flew through the air behind him.