# Chapter 1598: One Finger Breaks the Realm
Venerable Cangyu's startled cry alarmed the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, causing an uproar immediately.
In particular, the various Palace Masters almost burst through the rooftops in an instant, but then immediately froze in midair, none of them daring to move forward.
For an existence like the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, how could its core be so easily approached? And the two figures in the air—their positions were precisely above the nine palaces, at the very heart of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace's core—yet no one had noticed how they arrived.
In an instant, alarm bells rang throughout the Nine Radiance Heaven, and the figures rushing out filled the sky like a swarm of locusts. Having someone silently intrude into the core of the nine palaces was an event that hadn't occurred in the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace for many years.
The Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, from Palace Masters to disciples, numbered in the millions, not counting the numerous outer palaces spread across the Thousand Wasteland Realm. For two people to just barge in like this was basically no different from seeking death—even a mouthful of spit from each person could drown them.
But those Palace Masters, Hall Masters, and disciples who had fled for their lives from the Tiangang Cloud Clan instantly turned pale as death.
How could these two fiends, who had nearly scared them out of their wits, suddenly appear here!?
"Yun Che? So he's the one who killed the Chief Palace Master!" Palace Master Cangjing said in a deep voice, a black sword appearing in his hand. "Perfect! That saves us the trouble of hunting them down. Today, we shall offer their blood to the spirit of the Chief Palace Master!"
"Cangjing, stop!"
As soon as he spoke, several shouts rang out simultaneously, all tinged with varying degrees of terror. Palace Master Cangyu even lunged forward directly, forcibly suppressing the Xuan Qi and sword aura he had just released: "Don't attack!"
Palace Master Cangjing's gaze swept quickly over the faces of several people, and he said grimly, "This is the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace! Even if their power is truly close to half-step Divine Lord, what is there to fear!"
"I said, no attacking!" Palace Master Cangyu's tone grew heavier... Palace Master Cangjing hadn't gone to the Tiangang Cloud Clan, hadn't witnessed the fields of dragon corpses in an instant at the Primordial Azure Dragon Clan, hadn't seen the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sovereign sliced into eight pieces in a single moment.
That horrifying, unparalleled scene had nearly shattered the souls of all their Divine Sovereigns. Faced with such terrifying figures, if they truly clashed head-on, even if they could rely on numbers to win, the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace would be drenched in blood, and the losses unimaginable.
Having just lost the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sovereign and Venerable Cangjian, the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace could no longer afford any further injury.
"Cangyu is right," said another Palace Master. "You didn't see it with your own eyes. Their terror far exceeds your imagination! And since they dare to appear like this today, they naturally have something to rely on. We will avenge the Chief Palace Master's death... but not today, and certainly not here."
Palace Master Cangjing's hand tightened, and his aura weakened. The returning Palace Masters were not weaker than him, but their fear was no lie. Moreover, if they fought here, no matter the outcome, the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace would surely run with rivers of blood.
Venerable Cangyu stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "So it's Venerable Yun and... Fairy. May I ask what brings you two to our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace?"
Despite the hatred and terror in his heart, he had to force a humiliating smile on his face.
"What brings us?" Yun Che's low voice pierced through almost the entire Nine Radiance Heaven. "We just killed your Chief Sect Master, and instead of swarming up to avenge him, you grovel and bow? Ha... so the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace raises nothing but a pack of spineless wretches?"
These words were utterly humiliating and venomous, enough to enrage anyone. The Nine Radiance Heaven's atmosphere exploded with fury, but Palace Master Cangyu let out a loud laugh, quickly suppressing the rising tide of noise: "Venerable Yun, your words are mistaken. The Chief Palace Master did indeed die at your hands, but your strength is heaven-defying, comparable to a Divine Lord. The Chief Palace Master offended you, albeit unintentionally, but his death was not unjust. Though we are deeply grieved, we have never intended to pursue the matter."
"On the contrary, our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace has always revered the strong. Since you two have come, you are honored guests. If you have any requests, we would gladly assist. And if you could offer even a little guidance, that would be the greatest fortune of our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace."
Though Palace Master Cangyu's words were humiliating and submissive, he spoke them with grand dignity, while simultaneously telling everyone throughout the palace that these were two absolutely unprovokable figures, and no one should act rashly.
"Good, I like clever people like you." Yun Che seemed to reveal a faint smile. "In that case, I'll ask your Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace for a small favor. Since you revere the strong so much, I trust you won't refuse?"
"Please speak, Venerable," said Palace Master Cangyu. "As long as our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace can do it, we will not disappoint you."
"It's simple," Yun Che said. "Your Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace seems to have existed in this Thousand Wasteland Realm for hundreds of thousands of years. Even if you're not very competent, you should have some stockpile. I happen to be a bit short on demon crystals and demon jades..."
Palace Master Cangyu's heart suddenly relaxed, and he quickly said, "I see. May I ask how much you need, Venerable? As long as it is within our palace's capacity, we will present it immediately."
"Not necessary," Yun Che said, his gaze shifting sideways. "Just take me to your sect's treasure vault for a visit."
"What!" Palace Master Cangyu's head shot up, and everyone's expressions changed drastically.
The sect's treasure vault—the repository of the sect's accumulated heritage—was a forbidden ground that absolutely... absolutely could not be entered by outsiders!
Even in the vast Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace, no more than five people were allowed entry.
"What? Is there a problem?" Yun Che said coldly.
"Venerable, this..." Palace Master Cangyu struggled to maintain his composure, saying, "The treasure vault is the greatest forbidden ground of a sect. The sect's accumulated wealth and secrets are all within. Outsiders must never enter. Surely, Venerable, you understand..."
"I don't want to hear nonsense." Yun Che cut him off. "Either you take us in, or I kill you and go in myself. There is no third choice... Don't say I didn't give you a chance!"
Every word was icy and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Venerable Yun, this matter..."
"Bastard!" Palace Master Cangjing had completely lost his temper, cutting off Palace Master Cangyu before he could say more. "Cangyu! They've already spat on our heads, and you're still cowering like a dog! Are you ready to throw away all the face of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace!"
Black sword appeared, Xuan Qi erupted, and Palace Master Cangjing soared into the air, charging straight at Yun Che: "Everyone attack! Even if we stain the nine palaces with blood today, we will keep them here forever!"
"Wait!" Palace Master Cangyu reached out quickly but failed to grab Palace Master Cangjing. He gritted his teeth and chased after him, grabbing hold of Palace Master Cangjing tightly. When he faced Yun Che again, his expression had sunk like water: "Yun Che, we have made concessions many times. Do not push your luck!"
"Our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace has stood in the Thousand Wasteland Realm for tens of thousands of years. Its foundation is far greater than you can imagine! If we deploy our trump cards, destroying just the two of you would not be difficult! If you are willing to resolve the grievance, our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace is willing to take a step back. But if you want a fight to the death... our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace will oblige!"
"No, you're wrong," Yun Che said faintly. "Only the fish will die, the net will not break."
Palace Master Cangyu's face completely darkened. He let out a roar: "Form the formation!"
At his command, the eight Palace Masters of the Nine Radiance, who had already been communicating through sound transmission and were poised to strike, all soared into the air and drew their swords. In an instant, eight black sword arrays blossomed above the Nine Radiance Heaven. As soon as they formed, the arrays connected with each other, merging into a massive eight-radiance sword formation.
The Nine Radiance Sword Formation, formed by the joint power of the nine Palace Masters, could completely defeat the Chief Palace Master, the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sovereign. Though one radiance was now missing, its power was still immense. The terrifying sword might and dark spiritual pressure instantly engulfed the entire Nine Radiance Heaven.
In that moment, the mountains hummed, the galaxy trembled, and all those floating in the air below were pressed down instantly, as if under the might of heaven, all living things were nothing but ants.
"Yun Che, accept your death!" Since they had struck, there would be no holding back.
Yun Che stood motionless. With his left hand pressing heavily on Qianye Ying'er's waist, he pushed her aside, while his right hand grabbed the Heaven's Calamity Demon Emperor Sword and casually swung it down, releasing a pitch-black sword beam.
The sword beam was only eight feet long, seemingly ordinary and unremarkable. Before the eight-radiance sword formation, it was as humble and dim as a firefly beneath the bright moon.
The eight Palace Masters completely disregarded the clearly casual sword beam. Their faces twisted, they fiercely activated the eight-radiance sword formation, shrouding it directly toward Yun Che... And in that instant, the sword beam collided with the formation.
*Tear—*
It was the most horrifying sound of splitting they had ever heard in their lives.
That dark sword beam, no more than a few feet long, was like a demon's blade from the abyss of hell, piercing straight through the eight-radiance sword formation...
The moment the sword beam vanished, the massive sword formation built by the combined power of the eight Nine Radiance Palace Masters was torn in half.
Like torn silk!
Within that seemingly ordinary sword beam lay the power of the early stage of Dark Eternal Calamity!
"Wh... what?!"
At that moment, the pupils of the eight Palace Masters simultaneously dilated to their maximum, as if facing a terrible and absurd nightmare. The power of the sword formation collapsed wildly, and the massive backlash struck them like a heavy blow. Their bodies plummeted, their auras thrown into chaos.
Then, Yun Che swung his second sword. In an instant, golden flames filled the sky, engulfing all eight in a Golden Crow Fire Prison.
A thunderous boom shook the sky. The eight Palace Masters were blasted down, each with golden flames clinging to their bodies. Their screams were so piercing that it was impossible to believe they came from eight powerful Divine Sovereigns.
Everyone in the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace was stunned. When news of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sovereign's death at the Tiangang Cloud Clan had reached them, they had learned the name "Yun Che," and Palace Master Cangyu's attitude made it clear he was an incredibly fearsome figure.
But they had never dreamed he would be this fearsome... The combined sword formation of the eight Palace Masters could defeat the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sovereign, yet he shattered it with a single casual swing. With his second sword, he had gravely wounded them all.
They were eight Palace Masters, considered the highest-level existences in the Thousand Wasteland Realm, yet before him, they were so utterly powerless!?
Was his strength... at the Divine Lord Realm!?
"Open... the barrier!" Palace Master Cangyu roared with all his might, his voice tearing through his throat.
Instantly, thousands of dark light pillars shot up from different directions in the Nine Radiance Heaven, converging at a single point in the sky. In a flash, they spread out into a massive dark barrier, completely enveloping the core nine palaces.
In that moment, the aura was completely sealed off.
The eight Palace Masters were still writhing and howling in the Golden Crow flames. When they finally managed to extinguish the golden flames, they were scorched all over, looking half-human, half-ghost, utterly pathetic. But seeing the barrier that had instantly spread and the figure of Yun Che sealed outside, they all breathed a long sigh of relief.
Under that relief, aside from the pain throughout their bodies, only fear and weakness remained.
"A... Divine Lord?!" Palace Master Cangjing no longer had any of his earlier bravado. He knelt on one knee, barely able to stand.
He finally understood why Cangyu and the other Palace Masters who had gone to the Tiangang Cloud Clan were so terrified of Yun Che.
Just two strikes, and they were reduced to such a miserable state!
This was too insane... too insane!
"Yun... Yun Che!" Venerable Cangyu stood up. Even with the barrier that was absolutely safe between them, he couldn't fully suppress the fear in his heart. He panted heavily, "This is the protective palace formation of our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace. Once deployed, no one can break through it!"
"Our Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace does not wish to be your enemy. If you retreat now, our grievances will be settled, and we will not pursue the matter of the Chief Palace Master's death. But..." Palace Master Cangyu tried to sound tough, "If you press us further, we will immediately send a sound transmission to the Thousand Wilds Divine Cult about your presence here. By then, even if you want to leave, you won't be able to!"
"Heh," Yun Che laughed, his body descending until he was close to the barrier. "Relying on this tortoise shell?"
(Note: "Tortoise shell" is a derogatory metaphor for a defensive barrier, similar to the original.
Palace Master Cangyu said fiercely, "This protective barrier was built by our ancestors, connecting to the dark earth veins of the nine hundred towering mountains below. Even if the Thousand Wilds Cult Leader... even if the entire Thousand Wilds Divine Cult attacked, it would be impossible to break it! If you don't believe me, feel free to try!"
Yun Che squinted his eyes, slowly extending one finger. A black light gleamed at its tip as he gently poked the barrier.
*Bang!*
With a soft sound, Yun Che's finger thrust directly into the barrier.
In an instant, centered on Yun Che's finger, countless cracks spread across the dark barrier, radiating outward to cover the entire barrier in the blink of an eye.
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