Chapter 1624: The Head of the Heavenly Lords
Qianye Ying'er also stopped, her eyelids slightly lowered as she looked at him with a lazy, languid gaze.
He shifted his eyes sideways, glancing at the man in green. His eyes were as clear as his voice, and his aura was utterly transcendent. Even if people from the three divine realms saw him, they would find it hard to believe that he was a demon from the Northern Divine Realm.
After a single sweep, Yun Che suddenly said, "Follow them."
"Can't wait anymore?" Qianye Ying'er turned her slender waist slightly.
"Waiting passively is still too slow in the end." Yun Che said slowly. "That 'Heavenly Lord Gathering' he mentioned sounds quite interesting."
"It is indeed interesting." Qianye Ying'er gave a faint, ambiguous smile. "If my guess is correct, the Heavenly Lord Gathering he spoke of is probably that Divine Lord gathering held once every hundred years, with only Divine Lords under ten jiazi eligible to participate."
Divine Lords under ten jiazi... that is, only those extremely young Divine Lords who are listed on the "Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking" are eligible to participate. Clearly, it is a stage belonging to those dazzling "Heavenly Lords."
"Also," Qianye Ying'er gently pursed her pink, alluring lips and murmured, "I've heard of that person's name."
"...Is that so." Yun Che glanced sideways, taking another look at the man in green.
Given Qianye Ying'er's former personality of looking down on everything, the fact that she would know the name of someone from the Northern Divine Realm... it goes without saying that his status is far from ordinary.
"There's no need to be too surprised. No matter how isolated the three divine realms and the Northern Divine Realm are from each other, they will always know a little about some figures who have stirred up too much commotion."
Qianye Ying'er said indifferently, "Although he is only a member of the younger generation, all the major king realms in the Eastern Divine Realm, Southern Divine Realm, and Western Divine Realm should know his name. In the same way, the three king realms of the Northern Divine Realm must know your name."
"You're comparing me to him?" Yun Che spat out a few words with an expressionless face.
"You really can't compare to him." Qianye Ying'er slanted her phoenix eyes. "His reputation in the Northern Divine Realm is far greater than yours in the Eastern Divine Realm."
Yun Che: "..."
"Especially three years ago, apart from the fact that he wasn't as miserable or as wretched as you, he surpassed you by who knows how many times in every aspect. He even had more women than you."
"Is that so?" Yun Che suddenly reached out and pinched her flawless chin. "Are his playthings as useful as you?"
"No, they are not." Qianye Ying'er used one of her jade fingers to slowly push his hand away, her long lashes slightly closing as she spoke with a hint of mockery and self-deprecation. "In this regard, a man who turns Dragon Queens and Divine Maidens into playthings beneath his crotch is truly unparalleled in the world. The fate he has suffered today is still too merciful for him."
Yun Che's voice turned cold. "Shen Xi is not the Dragon Queen, and even less a plaything. Only you are!"
"Aren't you going to follow those people? They've already gone far."
"Hmph!" Yun Che turned and flew up, completely concealing his aura as he silently departed.
The Luo siblings had expended a great deal of energy, but because the profound art they cultivated was extremely adept at defense, their injuries were not too severe. The man in green might have been heading to the same place, and after saving them, he traveled with them.
"I, Luo Ying of the Tian Luo Realm, and my younger sister, Luo Yun, truly don't know how to repay this great life-saving grace." Luo Ying repeatedly expressed his thanks, but his words were filled more with excitement and awe than gratitude.
"You... are you really... Sir Guhu?" Luo Yun's eyes were misty, and even though a long time had passed, it was as if she still hadn't woken from a dream. Even the fear and despair from before had been forgotten somewhere.
The man in green smiled and said, "It is indeed this one. Enduring such a calamity in my Huang Tian Realm while you two honored guests of the Tian Luo Realm had come to witness the Heavenly Lord Gathering is the fault of my Huang Tian Realm. It is already a great kindness that you do not blame us; there is no need to thank me."
"No, no," said Luo Ying. Although he was the son of a higher realm king, he was so excited in front of the man in green that he was almost incoherent, completely lacking his usual imposing majesty. "To be rescued by Sir Guhu is not a calamity but a blessing from heaven. Our brother and sister have admired Sir Guhu our entire lives. The greatest wish in coming to this Heavenly Lord Gathering was to behold Sir Guhu's elegance with our own eyes. We never imagined... we could be so fortunate."
Luo Yun nodded like a chick pecking at rice, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the man in green. "The Huang Tian Realm. Just as I thought." Qianye Ying'er said. "It is undoubtedly him."
"The top higher star realm of the Northern Divine Realm, the first star realm under the king realms?" Yun Che narrowed his eyes slightly.
In the past few years, Qianye Ying'er had not told him much about the Northern Divine Realm—because she herself did not know much—but she had once mentioned the name "Huang Tian Realm."
Under the king realms, Huang Tian is first.
He hadn't expected that by choosing a random direction, he would have set foot in this, the first star realm of the Northern Divine Realm.
"His name is Tian Guhu," Qianye Ying'er said. "The youngest son of the Huang Tian Realm King. If that were all, he wouldn't be worthy of my knowledge."
All the world are sparrows; only I am the swan... Yun Che let out a disdainful laugh. This name carried a kind of arrogance that looked down upon the world, quite different from his outward appearance.
"You rose to fame in the Eastern Divine Realm's Xuan God Gathering; he did the same." Qianye Ying'er continued. "About five hundred years ago, during the Northern Divine Realm's 'Xuan God Gathering,' he achieved perfect victory all the way. In the final battle, he was at a disadvantage of two minor cultivation levels, yet he crushed his opponent overwhelmingly, becoming a legend in one battle."
"Stepping onto the Divine Way with profound power, achieving suppression at the same level is one in a hundred million. To be able to crush an opponent while being two minor levels weaker can only be a miracle of the profound way. In the current Northern Divine Realm, the only one capable of such an achievement is Tian Guhu alone."
"Ironically, in this era when such a figure has emerged in the Northern Divine Realm, in this generation of the Eastern Divine Realm, even Luo Changsheng and Jun Xilei probably cannot do it."
Qianye Ying'er fixed her gaze on Yun Che. "You and Shui Meiyin are exceptions. Hmph. The Evil God's inheritance and the Stainless Divine Soul are heresies that should not exist in this era."
"A mere seventh-level Divine Lord," Yun Che said coldly.
"Mere?" Qianye Ying'er said. "He is a seventh-level Divine Lord under ten jiazi, the current head of the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking. Although he cannot compare to me back in the day, compared to you three years ago, who also made a name for yourself... you are not even worthy of comparing to a single toe of his."
"Heh," Yun Che gave a cold sneer. "Yun Che three years ago? That was nothing more than a naive fool who saved the undeserving and caused the death of his loved ones. Why compare that worthless piece of trash who is already dead?"
"... " Qianye Ying'er glanced at him and said, "Tian Guhu is absolutely invincible among those of the same level. It is said that even within the realm of Divine Lord, he can crush opponents two minor levels above him and contend with opponents three minor levels above him."
"In other words, if the legends are true, he, as a current seventh-level Divine Lord, might be able to rival a tenth-level Divine Lord. Compared to his cultivation, this is his most astonishing aspect. Even that old dog Qianye Fantian has mentioned Tian Guhu of the Northern Divine Realm more than once, saying that if he can still achieve same-level suppression after becoming a Divine Lord, then in the future, he is very likely to become the most dangerous figure in the Northern Divine Realm."
Yun Che showed no reaction.
"Unfortunately," Qianye Ying'er said softly, "after spending three years with you, now when I look at this Tian Guhu, he is nothing more than this."
A seventh-level Divine Lord in ten jiazi—and a seventh-level Divine Lord capable of rivaling a tenth-level Divine Lord.
The top of the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking, and the undisputed number one of this generation in the Northern Divine Realm.
A figure whose name is deeply known even in the king realms of the three divine realms.
Every single one of these halos is blindingly dazzling, making it almost impossible to look directly at them.
"Very good." Yun Che nodded.
Yes, this person's identity and achievements pleased him greatly.
"Now that this land has Yun Che, there is no longer any need for a Tian Guhu."
Hearing these words by her ear, Qianye Ying'er silently glanced at Yun Che.
Three years ago, he could never have said such a thing.
"Sir Guhu, were those two people from earlier really Divine Lords?" Luo Ying asked the man in green. After traveling together for a while, the excitement in his heart had finally calmed somewhat. Facing this legendary figure who was so close and yet so free of arrogance, he had begun to feel more at ease.
"Yes." Tian Guhu said. "Both are seventh-level Divine Lords."
"Ah!" Luo Ying and Luo Yun were both startled at the same time.
Even in a higher star realm, a Divine Lord is an existence second only to the great realm king. For both of them to be Divine Lords, and moreover, seventh-level Divine Lords approaching the late stage!
In their entire Tian Luo Realm, seventh-level Divine Lords and above number fewer than the fingers on two hands.
"Then... does Sir Guhu recognize them?" Luo Ying asked.
Tian Guhu shook his head. "I do not. Perhaps they are realm masters of some middle star realm."
Seventh-level Divine Lords—figures of this level, if they came from a higher star realm, he would certainly know them. But two completely unfamiliar Divine Lords could only come from a middle star realm.
And in a middle star realm, a Divine Lord is unquestionably the king.
The moment the words "middle star realm" were spoken, the awe in the Luo siblings' eyes toward the title "Divine Lord" instantly dissipated by more than half.
They were the descendants of a higher star realm king; their father was a proud Divine Lord. Therefore, if it were Divine Lords from a higher star realm, they would never fail to show proper courtesy, nor would they dare to make any rash comments.
But if they were Divine Lords from a middle star realm—even late-stage Divine Lords—they could look down upon them with pride.
Such is the gap in hierarchy.
"I see." Luo Ying nodded.
"Hmph! Being Divine Lords yet standing by and doing nothing—that's too infuriating." Luo Yun said hatefully.
"Those who become Divine Lords are also blessed by heaven." Tian Guhu said slowly. "They had the power to save a life with a flick of the hand, yet they turned away coldly. This act is no different from murder."
He sighed softly. "Regardless of their identities, the two of them have greatly defiled the name of Divine Lord."
"Well said, Sir Guhu." Luo Ying furrowed his brow and nodded. "Such figures, even if they become Divine Lords, are despicable and unworthy of respect!"
Tian Guhu's words made Luo Yun's eyes sparkle like stars, and she said with an adoring face, "A figure like Sir Guhu, who is like a heavenly star, not only saved our lives but is also personally escorting us. It feels like a dream. Compared to you, those other Divine Lords are worlds apart."
"Little Yun, that's quite wrong." Luo Ying said with a smile. "Those people are not worthy of being called Divine Lords at all. They don't even have the qualification to be compared with Sir Guhu."
"Mm, thirty-eighth brother is right." Luo Yun quickly nodded, then asked, "Those two Divine Lords, are they also on the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking?"
"Of course not." Luo Ying said directly. "The Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking mostly consists of early-stage Divine Lords. To reach the seventh level of Divine Lord at an age under ten jiazi, only Sir Guhu in the entire world can do it. Since those two are both seventh-level Divine Lords, how could they possibly be on the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord Ranking? Obviously, they came to spectate the gathering."
Tian Guhu raised his eyes slightly and looked ahead as he said, "The Northern Domain is barren and fraught with calamities. At every moment, countless living beings perish in the struggle for survival or for profit. The future will only grow darker. Those of us who are favored by destiny must do our utmost to seek a ray of light for the future of the Northern Domain, so as not to betray the power bestowed by heaven."
"But to have the power to save a life with a simple raise of the hand, yet turn a blind eye—such people, who harbor no kindness in their hearts and have lost their humanity, even if they are Divine Lords, are not worthy of setting foot in my Huang Tian Watchtower!"
As his words fell, his calm gaze turned slightly cold.
"As expected of Sir Guhu." Luo Ying praised effusively. "Such an admonition can only be spoken by a man of excellence like Sir Guhu. Having Sir Guhu in the world is the fortune of our Northern Domain."
Tian Guhu smiled and shook his head, then sighed softly. Although he walked side by side with the Luo siblings, only a foot apart, it was as if they existed in two completely different worlds.
Luo Yun had been staring at Tian Guhu the whole time, then she silently lowered her head, her eyes full of dejection.
Though she was the daughter of the Tian Luo Realm King, she knew that a figure like Tian Guhu was only worthy of the proud daughters of the world. Other than her birth, she had no qualifications to even catch his eye.
Far behind them, Qianye Ying'er shifted her beautiful eyes slightly and said softly, "So this Tian Guhu is actually someone who cares about the future fate of the Northern Divine Realm. This image of him is quite similar to you back when you were trying to save the divine realm..."
"Shut up!" Yun Che scolded coldly, his brows also sinking slightly.
Qianye Ying'er gave a light snort, and her voice then became lazy again. "Every time you force me to kneel before you, you never say those two words."
Yun Che: "..."
"The Huang Tian Watchtower," she murmured, as if talking to herself. "That is a place worth looking forward to."