# Chapter 1574: Mysterious Girl
"Senior Uncle..." Bei Hanchu thought he had misheard. "What did you say?"
"Give it to him!" Lu Bubai's voice became heavier, and the look he cast was also full of cold severity.
It wasn't just Bei Hanchu; everyone found it hard to believe their ears.
Although the Cangtian Sword was Bei Hanchu's own proposal as compensation for the slander he had suffered, that was entirely under the premise that both Bei Hanchu and Lu Bubai were absolutely certain that Yun Che had not defeated the ten Divine Kings with his own strength — a way to completely seal off Yun Che's retreat.
Otherwise, even with the slightest risk or possibility, Bei Hanchu would not have staked the Cangtian Sword.
Now, Bei Hanchu had suffered a complete defeat, utterly disgraced... Was the Cangtian Sword, which was originally just a feint, really going to be handed over to Yun Che?
The Cangtian Sword was no ordinary profound sword. The name of the Cangjian Palace itself originated from the Cangtian Sword, and its importance to the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace was self-evident.
It was the sect's founding treasure, as well as its face and symbol!
Handing over the Cangtian Sword meant losing not just a sword, but the entire dignity of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace!
"No... impossible!" Bei Hanchu shook his head, his whole body trembling. "The Cangtian Sword cannot fall into the hands of an outsider!"
As an arrogant Divine Lord on the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking and the young palace master of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, to protect the Cangtian Sword, he was willing to renege in public.
But on second thought, his face had already been completely trampled under Yun Che's feet. Might as well go all the way... If he lost the Cangtian Sword like this, even if he was highly valued at the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, he would still face severe punishment.
Lu Bubai's face sank, and a hint of anger emerged: "The Cangtian Sword is indeed our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace's founding sword. But a loss is a loss. The Cangtian Sword can be lost, but the dignity of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace cannot."
"..." Bei Hanchu was even more stunned.
Because the Cangtian Sword was too important — more important than so-called dignity.
At that moment, a hurried voice transmission reached his ear from Lu Bubai: "Say no more. Hand over the Cangtian Sword to him immediately! This person named Yun Che... his strength is likely not inferior to mine!"
The next sentence made Bei Hanchu's expression drastically change:
"Moreover... he might be from a King Realm!"
Although Bei Hanchu was a newly ascended Divine Lord, he was still a true Divine Lord, yet he had been utterly helpless against Yun Che. And when Lu Bubai had struck Yun Che just now, Yun Che had shown no sign of injury. All of this told Lu Bubai that Yun Che's strength was likely on par with his own!
A level five Divine King comparable to a mid-stage Divine Lord — if such an absurd thing truly existed, it could only come from a King Realm!
Yun Che knew they were from the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, and that Bei Hanchu was one of their most cultivated figures, yet he had struck with ruthless cruelty without any hesitation, clearly showing no regard for the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace at all... All of this supported the notion that Yun Che was likely a junior from some King Realm!
The words "King Realm" shattered Bei Hanchu's last conviction. Even the hatred and murderous intent in his heart seemed to be stomped down, wilting all at once. He narrowed his eyes and forced a semblance of toughness onto his face: "Fine! I, Bei Hanchu... keep my word!"
He turned his palm, pushed forward, and the Cangtian Sword appeared, then he pushed it toward Yun Che.
Yun Che reached out, grabbed it without even glancing, and directly stored it away, as casually as picking up a stone on the roadside.
Watching the Cangtian Sword disappear into Yun Che's hand, both Bei Hanchu and Lu Bubai's faces twitched violently.
"Don't worry. I will explain to the head palace master and your master," Lu Bubai transmitted to Bei Hanchu again. "The Cangtian Sword has the most primal soul connection with our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace. If he is not from a King Realm, he won't escape."
If Yun Che truly came from a King Realm, they could not afford to continue offending him.
But if they later found out he was not from a King Realm, they would have no further concerns. Through the soul connection with the Cangtian Sword, they could easily determine its location. With the power of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, taking it back from Yun Che would be effortless!
Lu Bubai nodded to Yun Che and said, "The young palace master has extraordinary talent, but he is still young. Suffering such a heavy setback will be of great benefit to his future. In this regard, I must thank you... Bei Han, do you all have anything else to say about this outcome?"
With Lu Bubai's status, his attitude hinted at and decided everything. How could Bei Han Divine Lord dare to have any further objections? He immediately straightened his expression and forcefully suppressed all negative emotions toward Yun Che: "That the three sects' ten profound practitioners lost to Nanhuang Yun Che alone was witnessed by all, unquestionable. Our three sects accept defeat as agreed."
"The Middle Ruins Realm, starting tomorrow... for the next five hundred years, belongs to the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom."
With every word he spoke, Bei Han Divine Lord's heart bled. Especially the last sentence — he tried his best to control himself, but his tone still trembled noticeably.
"East Ruins, West Ruins, what about you?" Lu Bubai asked again.
"Of course, no objection." West Ruins Divine Lord was smiling, but his smile was stiff and extremely ugly.
"...Congratulations to Nanhuang." East Ruins Divine Lord closed his eyes and did not open them for a long time, his face a terrifying pale.
Beside him, Dong Xueyan stared blankly at Yun Che... the handprint on her face had not yet faded, but she no longer felt any pain. For the first time in her life, she truly felt how heart-burning regret could be.
Her most revered elder brother, Dong Xueci, had been crippled by Yun Che with a single blow. Bei Hanchu's brilliant halo had been trampled so easily. The Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, an existence of such stature, had willingly yielded before him, even handing over something as sacred as the Cangtian Sword...
Recalling how she and Dong Xueci had jumped and shouted in front of Yun Che earlier, they were like two ignorant, laughable clowns... No, in his eyes, they probably weren't even worth being called clowns.
The battlefield fell silent. Lu Bubai's extreme compromise and obvious goodwill not only deeply shocked the three realm kings but undoubtedly stunned everyone present. Someone who could make a figure like Shangren Lu Bubai act this way — they couldn't imagine what kind of existence he was.
Yun Che, this mysterious figure who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere... just who in the world was he?
Nanhuang Chanyi's decision to let him fight last was not out of rashness; her proposal for him to take on three sects and ten people alone was not a bluff either. She was clearly leading the three sects into a trap.
Even her public rejection of Bei Hanchu — when she thought back now, was it also because of Yun Che?
Behind Yun Che was a backing stronger than the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace?
"Chanyi, who... who is he? Who is he?" Nanhuang Jian asked twice, unable to suppress his excitement. Even now, his mind was still somewhat dizzy.
"Yun Che," Nanhuang Chanyi replied like that.
"..." Nanhuang Mofeng also turned around at this moment, his old head drooping slightly, and said with difficulty, "This old man... had eyes but could not see, repeatedly... overstepping my bounds... offending a superior... I willingly accept any punishment from Your Highness."
"We'll discuss this after returning. Prepare to fully take over the Middle Ruins Realm," Nanhuang Chanyi said.
"Yes." This time, Nanhuang Mofeng bowed deeply, answering with utmost respect.
"Chanyi," Nanhuang Divine Lord transmitted quietly, "Did you plan all this since the Middle Ruins battle?"
"No," Nanhuang Chanyi said. "I just happened to meet an extraordinary person and took advantage of the situation."
Nanhuang Divine Lord: "..."
"Controlling the Middle Ruins Realm for five hundred years, barring other unexpected events, should be enough for the Southern Ruins to grow to a level that barely balances the other three realms." Nanhuang Chanyi lifted her gaze slightly toward Yun Che. "However..."
"This result was not obtained for free. I am very curious what kind of compensation he will ask for."
The core of this Middle Ruins battle had shifted from the Eastern Ruins and the other three realms to Yun Che alone.
His brutal crushing of Bei Hanchu and the scenes of Lu Bubai bowing his head and yielding were too shocking. At this moment, the gazes cast at him no longer held any trace of the earlier mockery and pity — only profound fear and awe.
"Let's go." Yun Che turned and said to Qianye Ying'er, "After all that work, it's time to collect the payment."
"This is not the time to make enemies. You can't afford to offend the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace either!" Qianye Ying'er said coldly and softly. "Not triggering a major conflict this time is only your luck. If you dare to act on your own like this again..."
She couldn't think of any threat. After all, in their current state, she was completely dependent on Yun Che.
Lu Bubai did not stop him, did not speak, and did not ask about his origins at all.
His hand was pressed on Bei Hanchu's shoulder to prevent any rash moves. While staring at Yun Che's retreating back, he also briefly lingered on Qianye Ying'er... She had the same level five Divine King aura as Yun Che, and her pale golden hair was extremely rare in the Northern Domain.
"Senior Uncle, are we really just..." Watching Yun Che walk away in their line of sight, Bei Hanchu could not truly resign himself no matter what.
"Shut up," Lu Bubai rebuked in a low voice. He greatly admired Bei Hanchu and had even come to the Youxu Five Realms this time to stand behind him and personally ensure his safety. He rarely spoke harshly to him, but at this moment, his mood was at its worst, and merely controlling his emotions was a full effort.
"..." Bei Hanchu's lips trembled.
Drip... drip...
Blood was still falling from his face. He didn't dare to think how ugly his face looked now. But he knew that all his disgraceful behavior had been seen clearly by millions of profound practitioners present. Even these lowly profound practitioners were probably pitying him right now.
Yes, pity...
He had stood out arrogantly, only to be beaten like a dead dog, forfeit the Cangtian Sword, and then watch him leave safely, without even daring to pursue...
Soon, today's disgrace would spread, becoming the joke of the Youxu Five Realms, the joke of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, and the joke of the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking.
Shame — what a terrifying thing. It was countless times more painful than the torment of cultivation. With the earlier scenes chaotically interwoven in his mind, he experienced for the first time in his life the feeling of wishing to die from shame.
Bei Hanchu's body trembled, his pupils rolling white. With extreme rage burning his heart, his whole body shook violently, his blood reversed, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood.
"Chu'er!" Bei Han Divine Lord was greatly alarmed and quickly supported him. Looking at Bei Hanchu's dull eyes, his heart spasmed. Bei Hanchu had grown up in reverence. Even when he went to the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, he still radiated an incomparably brilliant halo. His life had been extremely smooth. How could he bear today's humiliation and blow?
"..." Lu Bubai let out a heavy sigh.
And at that moment, in the distant sky, the mysterious ark that had carried Bei Hanchu and Lu Bubai here, floating above the battlefield, suddenly shattered the dark barrier it carried.
This barrier had been connected to Bei Hanchu's vital energy and should not have been breakable by those inside. But with Bei Hanchu's heart and soul heavily shattered, the barrier also collapsed.
The unusual sound caused everyone's eyes to shift sharply upward. Amidst the dispersing black mist, a small, delicate girl flew out and rapidly fled northward.
"Hmph." Lu Bubai let out a disdainful cold snort, leaped up, and shot toward the fleeing girl like a fierce eagle.
The girl appeared very young, clad in flowing white robes. Her cultivation was only at the late Divine Soul realm. Facing an existence like Lu Bubai, even if she had escaped her cage, there was no possibility of fleeing.
Sensing the rapidly approaching danger behind her, the girl turned her face, but instead of showing fear, it bore a cold resolve completely at odds with her age. She quickly waved her small hand, and a bolt of lightning flashed from the void, stabbing straight at Lu Bubai.
Crack!!
Lu Bubai completely ignored it. The lightning struck his head, but with mere Divine Soul-level power, it couldn't even damage a single hair of his.
"!?" Yun Che suddenly stopped in his tracks, his brow sinking heavily.