Chapter 1640: Nine Demonesses (Part 1)
This was the Holy Domain of the Jiehun Realm. No one had ever dared to cause the slightest disturbance here. Such a commotion instantly alarmed countless experts within the Holy Domain, and waves of terrifying dark aura probed toward this direction.
Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er slowly descended. Ahead of them was the main gate of the Holy Domain. The four who had attacked them moments ago were all sprawled on the ground, their faces contorted in pain, their bodies twitching, unable to stand for a long time.
Although they were merely gatekeepers, this was the main gate of the Jiehun Holy Domain. These four were no ordinary guards as the world understood—they were four early-stage Divine Sovereigns, powerful existences that could rule over the lower-ranked mid-tier star realms.
Possessing the strength of Divine Sovereigns and the pride of guarding the main gate of the Holy Domain, yet being instantly defeated, all four were terrified in their hearts, but none would show any fear on their faces. The one in the middle said in a deep voice, "No matter who you are, daring to attack in the Holy Domain... you are already beyond redemption and will face endless calamity!"
Boom! As his voice fell, a simultaneous eruption of profound energy caused a thunderous roar. Three hundred pitch-black figures appeared ahead, their auras locking tightly onto Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er, sealing both air and space.
Half of these figures were Divine Sovereigns, and the weakest among them were at least mid-stage Divine Kings. In just a few breaths, such a formation had been assembled. Hundreds of miles away, even Xuan Adepts who were relatively close felt chills running down their spines and fled in panic.
"What is happening?" Amidst the tense standoff, a voice that was eerily calm and out of place reached them. In just four words, the first syllable was still quite distant, but by the fourth, it was right at their ears.
A figure materialized from emptiness within the barrier, then slowly stepped out beyond it.
This was a tall and handsome man, appearing quite young, looking only about eighteen or nineteen years old. The aura he emitted was not overwhelming, yet it was like a silent ocean—vast and boundless.
Sixth-level Divine Lord! Both Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er's brows twitched slightly.
This man's identity was undoubtedly extraordinary. No matter where he appeared, he would immediately draw all eyes to him... not because of his mid-stage Divine Lord aura, but because of his appearance.
He had the appearance of a youth, with features as delicate as jade carvings, fair and flawless skin. His cold and majestic eyes held an autumnal depth, his lips were a perfect vermilion-pink rarely seen even on women, and even his fingers were noticeably slender at a glance.
Combined, they presented a beauty that could make women jealous... even driven mad with envy.
Beauty was usually not a term used for men, but applied to the man before them, it felt entirely natural. Or rather, at first glance, people would think he was a beautiful woman disguised as a man.
Upon seeing this man, all the guards changed expression, their eyes gleaming with strange light. The tense atmosphere dissipated almost instantly. The four who had collapsed struggled to sit up and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Spirit Lord! These two suddenly barged into the Holy Domain and directly attacked and injured people. We... will capture them immediately."
"No need, you may withdraw," the man said calmly. "Since I, the Spirit Lord, am already here, you are no longer needed."
All the guards were greatly alarmed. The four in front hurriedly said, "Your status as Spirit Lord is as exalted as the heavens. How could two mere scoundrels trouble you to act?"
"Scoundrels?" The man glanced at Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er. "To dare to attack and injure people before our Holy Domain, they are either ignorant and foolish beyond measure, or they have something to rely on. And two seventh-level Divine Sovereigns hardly seem like the former."
"The Demon Empress has just ordered that something major will occur in the Holy Domain soon. At a time like this, there must be no disturbances or waves. I will personally deal with these two. Withdraw."
As his voice fell, he casually pushed his hand backward. Instantly, all those behind him were swept into the barrier, leaving a wide open space around him.
The man clasped his hands behind his back, looking at the two. His eyes narrowed, and he gave a faint smile that carried a hint of dazzling charm. "Two seventh-level Divine Sovereigns are enough to run rampant in over ninety percent of the star regions, but not foolish enough to come here seeking death. Speak, what is your purpose?"
"Or else..." His brows suddenly darkened, and his eyes shot out a gaze that could pierce souls. "Who sent you here?"
Qianye Ying'er said quietly, "That woman hasn't returned yet? Hah, is she doing this on purpose?" Yun Che showed no reaction.
The handsome man frowned deeply. The aura and soul pressure he emitted should have been enough to shatter their minds. Yet, the two before him were completely ignoring his words and continuing their own private communication.
"However, this person is quite good-looking, much more beautiful than you," Qianye Ying'er's gaze wandered, as if she were seriously comparing their appearances.
The handsome man's brows slightly lowered. He had deigned to personally handle these two, firstly because it was convenient, and secondly because he didn't want any incidents after the Demon Empress's recent order. But as the Jiehun Spirit Lord, no one had ever dared to show him the slightest disrespect, and he had never been so disregarded.
And the other party were merely two Divine Sovereigns! He smiled, his voice becoming drawn out: "Do you know... who you are speaking to?"
This time, Qianye Ying'er turned her gaze to him, scanning him from head to toe, and said: "The Jiehun Realm has nine Demonesses, twenty-seven Soul Spirits, and three thousand six hundred Soul Servants. You are called 'Spirit Lord' by them, so you must be the head of these twenty-seven Soul Spirits. Unfortunately..."
"Unfortunately?" The handsome man's eyes narrowed.
"Unfortunately," Qianye Ying'er turned her eyes, speaking with contempt to Yun Che, "This Chi Wuyue is truly remarkable for creating the nine Demonesses. But her taste in choosing male favorites is far too poor—she actually likes this kind of red-lipped, white-toothed, effeminate pretty boy."
The already quiet space fell into dead silence. All the attendants behind the barrier changed color in fury. The man, who had been calm and composed, his demonic aura overflowing face froze instantly, then as if pulled by a thousand threads, twisted violently, releasing terrifying rage and murderous intent.
"You... seek... death!!" Boom! He released his profound energy and instantly went berserk. Darkness descended before the Holy Domain, the sun and moon losing their light. "Daring to insult the Demon Empress, ten thousand deaths cannot atone for this crime!"
"Heh." Within the black mist, Qianye Ying'er's golden hair drifted. Looking at the easily provoked man, the sneer on her lips curved higher: "Are you sure you want to make a move here?"
To the handsome man, Qianye Ying'er's words had touched his greatest taboo. Without another word, he gathered the darkness around him, ready to directly devour the two into ashes.
But at that moment, a clear, cold woman's voice came from afar.
"Stop." Just two short words, clear as the water of a heavenly lake, but they caused both the handsome man's body and power to freeze simultaneously.
A flash of emerald green light shone from somewhere, piercing through the thick darkness, and silently, it slowly dispelled the darkness and oppressive might.
Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er both looked up... High above, specks of cyan light appeared, like countless fireflies dancing silently.
Within the fireflies was a somewhat delicate female figure. She wore a green dress, bathed in the swirling and enveloping fireflies, hazy and dreamlike.
Under the cyan light, the handsome man withdrew all his aura, then without a hint of hesitation, knelt on one knee, bowing his head. All the attendants behind also knelt, lowering their heads deeply, not daring to let their gaze wander even a little. Their posture was one of awe and reverence, as if seeing a deity.
"Shiyan greets Lady Qingying!" The handsome man's reverent posture and respectful words fully revealed this woman's identity.
"Another Demoness," Qianye Ying'er said quietly.
After Chan Yi, Hua Jin, and Yao Die, this was the fourth Demoness they had seen.
Yun Che's spiritual perception pierced through her cyan light, silently observing for a moment.
None of the nine Demonesses ever revealed their true faces, and the "Qingying" before them was no exception. Her face was not covered, but the dancing fireflies around her, as if alive, shrouded her features in a mysterious cyan light, allowing only a faint glimpse of a beautifully dreamlike haze.
The woman in green descended, releasing her divine sense, and immediately understood everything that had happened. She looked at Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er. Although it was their first meeting, she undoubtedly discerned their identities at a glance. After all, the reason she had returned to the Holy Domain this time was because of these two.
"You come and immediately injure my Holy Domain's Soul Servants. Hmph, just as the legends say—wild and arrogant," Qingying spoke, her tone icy cold, not hiding the anger she was barely suppressing.
"They attacked first," Qianye Ying'er replied coldly. "Could this be the hospitality of your Jiehun Realm?"
"Lady Qingying!" The handsome man rose, his brows deeply furrowed, his jade-like features filled with anger. "No matter who these two are or what their purpose, they are already beyond redemption! Allow Shiyan to capture them first!"
"Capture them?" Qingying gave a light snort. "One of them killed Yan San'geng, and the other injured Yao Die. Are you sure you can 'capture' them?"
"Wh... what!?" All the anger on his face and in his heart turned into shock. The handsome man's gaze toward Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er changed sharply, and then he suddenly realized: "Could it be... they are..."
"Everyone, withdraw," Qingying said. "This is not something you should interfere with."
"But..." The handsome man's heart trembled, but then his gaze turned cold again, anger rekindling: "They actually spoke insults against the Demon Empress! All the attendants present can testify!"
"..." Under the cyan light, Qingying's slender brows sank sharply. After half a breath of silence, she said coldly: "Withdraw."
The words of a Demoness must not be disobeyed. Moreover, everyone could feel the surging anger within Qingying, yet she never let it erupt. The only possibility was that it was the Demon Empress's will.
"Yes." The handsome man could only obey. He stepped back a few paces, gritted his teeth, and then turned away, not looking at Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er again, fearing he would be unable to suppress his anger.
"The Fifth Demoness of Jiehun, Qingying." She spoke her name indifferently. Although her gaze was invisible, the aversion in her eyes could be clearly felt. "Yun Che, Fandi Shennü, although I greatly dislike you, since you are invited by my master, I have nothing to say. Enter."
They had deceived Demoness Chan Yi, injured Demoness Yao Die, and immediately upon arrival had attacked and wounded Soul Servants. Naturally, the people of the Jiehun Realm could not have any favorable impression of them.
But Qianye Ying'er had never been someone who treated others with courtesy.
"My name is Yun Qianying," she corrected flatly. "Don't make the mistake next time."
"Hmph!" Qingying turned and walked toward the Holy Domain's gate. As she approached, she waved her hand, and the barrier automatically opened.
Qianye Ying'er gave Yun Che a glance and followed unhurriedly behind Qingying, passing through the barrier that, to them, could be broken at will, stepping into the dark Holy Domain of the Jiehun Realm.
"Where is your master?" Qianye Ying'er spoke.
"..." Qingying ignored her. But her lips kept moving slightly, as if she was sending a voice transmission to someone.
"That pretty boy just now was called 'Spirit Lord.' Could it be that he is the head of your Jiehun Realm's twenty-seven Soul Spirits?" Qianye Ying'er continued to ask, a hint of mockery at the corner of her mouth.
Qingying's expression was blank, but thinking of Chi Wuyue's instructions, she took a deep breath. Without turning back, she finally responded: "His name is Sheng Shiyan, the head of the twenty-seven Soul Spirits of Jiehun, the general master of the twenty-seven Soul Halls."
"Just as I thought," Qianye Ying'er laughed. "It sounds like this is the highest position in the entire Jiehun Realm, second only to the Demon Empress and Demonesses. With a face that could 'topple kingdoms,' it's no wonder your master values him so much."
Qingying frowned deeply, her voice icy. "Sheng Shiyan achieved his current position and our master's esteem solely because of his extraordinary aptitude and loyalty. What does his appearance have to do with it!"
Yun Che slightly glanced sideways at Qianye Ying'er. He knew what she was thinking.
As Qianye Ying'er had guessed, Sheng Shiyan was indeed the head of the twenty-seven Soul Spirits, the foremost person below the Demonesses, controlling the twenty-seven Soul Halls.
The structure of the Jiehun Realm was vastly different from other king realms. Each of the twenty-seven Soul Halls governed and controlled different Jiehun territories and affiliated star realms. The leaders of each Soul Hall were the twenty-seven Soul Spirits who shook the Northern God Region.
As for the Demonesses, they were directly under the Demon Empress and had no clear scope of duties. Yet they could mobilize the power and resources of any Soul Hall and the territories under its control.
In other words, any Demoness held unlimited power, able to command all forces and mobilize all resources of the Jiehun Realm. Apart from obeying the Demon Empress, their authority was essentially identical to hers.
This was something impossible in other king realms, or even in any ordinary star realm.
This was only because the Demon Empress never needed to worry about the Demonesses developing treacherous intentions.