Chapter 1775: Demon Lord's Kill Order
The lifespan of the Dragon Clan far exceeds that of humanity. The Ashen Dragon God had already experienced three generations of the Fantian Shendi, so he recognized Qianye Bingzhu and Qianye Wugu at a single glance.
But the two of them were clearly already dead men!
A human's lifespan, even with peak Divine Lord realm cultivation, would not exceed fifty thousand years. Fifty thousand years—for humans, it was like the Divine Lord realm of the Xuan path: an unbreakable boundary.
Qianye Bingzhu's lifespan had long since exceeded that boundary; dying of old age was the most natural thing in the world, to say nothing of Qianye Wugu.
Yet now, not only did they appear before him alive and well, but their auras were even heavier, faintly surpassing those of their younger days.
Apart from Nanming Shendi, everyone who heard the names "Qianye Bingzhu" and "Qianye Wugu" was shocked to their feet. In particular, Cang Shitian, Emperor Xuanyuan, and Emperor Ziwei—they had all seen Qianye Bingzhu in their youth. And the man beside him was identical to the Qianye Wugu in their inherited memories.
In the face of everyone's horror, Qianye Bingzhu and Qianye Wugu remained utterly expressionless. Qianye Wugu spoke, his voice as faint as mist and smoke: "We are both men of the outer world who should have died long ago. Now, our time is also short. Existing in this world is merely to protect the last journey of the Brahma Emperor. There is no need for you all to be concerned."
The Ashen Dragon God's pupils flickered with strange light, and his entire aura surged unsteadily. He immediately realized his own improper loss of composure, and with a dark expression, slowly suppressed his restless aura, speaking coldly: "It seems that rumor from many years ago was actually true. That thing you in the Fan Di God Realm found at the border of the Southern Domain back then… was indeed the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal!"
The five words "Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal" were undoubtedly thunderclaps that shook everyone present, leaving them dizzy and disoriented.
"As expected of the Long Shen Realm." Qianye Bingzhu spoke, his voice equally calm and unruffled: "In this world, it is difficult for anything to escape the eyes of the Dragon Clan."
"The Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal is no longer in the Brahma Emperor's possession. There is no need for you to concern yourselves with us any longer." Qianye Wugu said: "Everything in the Brahma Emperor's realm is decided by the new emperor."
"Shut up." Qianye Ying'er spoke coldly: "You dead men, what are you blabbering so much for?"
Qianye Wugu and Qianye Bingzhu both fell silent instantly.
"Dead men?" The Ashen Dragon God was momentarily stunned. Then, realizing it seemed to be referring to himself, his body tilted slightly as he burst into unrestrained laughter: "Hahahahaha—"
Amidst the loud laughter, Qianye Ying'er didn't even glance at him, walking straight toward Yun Che.
It was at this moment that Nanming Shendi also rose and stepped forward, smiling as he said: "Ying'er, it's been many years. Now that—"
"Nan Wansheng," Qianye Ying'er called him by his name directly, a smile on her lips that was both mocking and contemptuous: "Guess what? Am I here today to offer my congratulations, or to collect a debt!"
Though she had only been in the Northern Domain for a few years, Qianye Ying'er's state of mind and what she sought had undergone earth-shattering changes. Combined with inheriting demon blood, being stained by darkness, and the various subtle influences from Yun Che's demonic arts and his physique, Qianye Ying'er's entire temperament and aura had undergone an immensely great transformation.
Nanming Shendi's obsession with the Fandi Shennü was something everyone in the entire God Realm knew.
As the first Divine Emperor of the Southern Domain, there was almost nothing in this world he could not obtain. But the one thing he wanted most—Qianye Ying'er—had always eluded him.
In those years, to win her favor, Nan Wansheng had spared no expense. Whatever Qianye Ying'er asked for, even if he knew she was using him, he would never refuse, and he would always handle matters personally, without regard for the consequences.
Unfortunately, for several hundred years, he had never been able to touch Qianye Ying'er even for a moment. Rather than resentment, this only made his desire burn more fiercely, driving him to obsession.
Now, Qianye Ying'er's temperament had changed drastically. The charm nurtured by darkness and nurtured by Yun Che made Nanming Shendi feel, the moment he saw her again, as if he had taken a poison that erupted instantly—every drop of blood in his veins was restless.
But…
Facing Qianye Ying'er's cold words, Nanming Shendi forced himself to pause for two breaths before quickly composing his features, smiling as he said: "Even if you've come to collect a debt, this king welcomes you wholeheartedly, Ying'er. Now that you are honored as the new Fantian Shendi, you have fulfilled your father's lifelong wish. It seems he can die with his eyes closed."
"Only, I wonder if there is a set date for the enthronement ceremony? This king cannot wait to witness it with his own eyes!"
"Ha," Qianye Ying'er gave a faint, cold laugh, slowing her steps: "Nan Wansheng, you're really regressing as you get older. It seems that over the years, not only your body but also your brain has been drained by women?"
"Oh?" Nanming Shendi smiled coyly.
"My name is Yun Qianying," she shifted her gaze away, no longer looking at Nanming Shendi: "As for that 'Qianye Ying'er' you're calling, she died long ago. That dead Qianye Fantian is not my father either—just an old dog that should have been dead long ago."
"The Fan Di God Realm now has me as its master and emperor. There is no need for any ritual or grand ceremony, and it is certainly not your place to witness it… Do you understand!"
Her words sent a shock through everyone present. And the three behind her—Qianye Wugu, Qianye Bingzhu, and Gu Zhu—showed absolutely no reaction to this?
"Also, 'Ying'er' was once my given name," Qianye Ying'er lowered her brows, her eyes subdued: "To me, it is a name of shame belonging to a dead person. But my man has a very narrow mind—whether he will be pleased to hear it or not is not for me to say."
Nan Wansheng's expression stiffened for an instant.
Qianye Ying'er arrived at the seat beside Yun Che, then said to Yan San: "Get to the back."
Under the eyes of the crowd, Yan San, whose ominous aura made even the Divine Emperors' hearts tremble, quickly rose and retreated behind Yun Che without uttering a single sound.
Qianye Ying'er sat down beside Yun Che. Behind her, Gu Zhu, Qianye Wugu, and Qianye Bingzhu stood silently.
The space seemed to contract silently. All the gazes cast toward them twisted slightly… because within that small expanse of the king's hall, there existed seven Tenth-rank Divine Lords!
And among these seven, aside from Gu Zhu and Qianye Ying'er, the Three Yan Mo Ancestors and the Two Qianye Ancestors were all at the very pinnacle of the Tenth-rank Divine Lord realm. Any one of them would be enough to defeat all the Divine Emperors of the Southern Domain except Nan Wansheng.
What a terrifying lineup this was.
The Southern Domain crowd had just been reeling from the shock of the Fan Di Ancestor appearing and the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal. When they suddenly realized this point, their barely settled horror magnified several dozen times in an instant.
Even the Ashen Dragon God, who had been angered by Qianye Ying'er and should have immediately retaliated, suddenly fell silent, his expression as grim as never before.
Seven Tenth-rank Divine Lords, five ancient monsters… and this was not even counting the unfathomable and underestimated Yun Che, nor the most fearsome Demon Queen and Yan Tianxiao, the "First Emperor of the Northern Domain," who had not yet arrived.
When the Eastern Domain was routed, the world had mostly seen the various cunning tricks and unconventional tactics from the Northern Domain. Especially in the battle of the King Realms, the only one that had been taken by frontal assault was the Zhou Tian Realm.
Now, they suddenly realized that it seemed everyone… knew absolutely nothing about the true power of the Northern Domain!
The surroundings became utterly silent and oppressive. For a long time, no one spoke. Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Ziwei, who had stood up earlier, forgot to sit back down, their expressions undergoing violent fluctuations.
"What are you doing here?" Yun Che glanced at her sidelong, his tone heavy.
"You can come, so why can't I?" Qianye Ying'er turned her face slightly away, apparently quite displeased that Yun Che had deliberately avoided her before leaving.
"Presumptuous!" Yun Che's voice deepened by another degree.
"Even if it is presumptuous," Qianye Ying'er sniffed lightly, "with me and Uncle Gu, plus these two old fellows, at the very least, I won't hold you back, will I?"
"Besides, when it comes to grudges and debts, I am now the master of the Fan Di God Realm. I have far more reason to be here than you do."
"…" Yun Che said nothing more. Since things had come to this, he couldn't very well force Qianye Ying'er to leave.
In the last period of time in the Northern Domain, she had become quite obedient. But as soon as she took over the Fan Di God Realm and gained power far beyond before, she was indeed starting to get "arrogant" again.
"Heh heh heh," a low laugh sounded as the Ashen Dragon God slowly stood: "New emperor of the Brahma Emperor's realm? Surnamed Yun? Qianye Wugu, tell me—does the current Fan Di God Realm belong to the Qianye Clan, or the Yun Clan?"
Qianye Wugu slightly closed his eyes and said nothing.
He had not yet settled accounts with Qianye Ying'er for scolding him as "a dog at the feet of the Dragon Emperor Long Huang," and now his question was being ignored by Qianye Wugu!?
As a Dragon God beneath the Dragon Emperor and above all living beings, who had ever dared to treat him like this? Even Qianye Fantian had never shown him any neglect or discourtesy.
"Qianye Wugu, you've been keeping your old life alive with the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal, but have you gone deaf?"
Under such circumstances, no Dragon God could tolerate it—let alone the Ashen Dragon God.
"Heh heh," Qianye Wugu gave a faint laugh, but still maintained his calm, downcast posture: "My master is right here. If you have doubts in your heart, you may directly ask my master."
To refer to Qianye Ying'er as "my master" despite his status as her great-grandfather, and even after she had abandoned the Qianye surname and taken the Yun surname… The Ashen Dragon God frowned deeply, and every one of the Southern Domain crowd's expressions changed repeatedly, unable to understand.
"Does that mean," the Ashen Dragon God said with a half-smile, "the ancestors of the Brahma Emperor have willingly become… the dogs of a demon?"
"Ashen, you go too far," Qianye Bingzhu spoke: "My master carries the future of the Fan Di in her heart, and the blood flowing in her veins is still the blood of the Brahma Emperor. What does the surname matter?"
"Moreover, without my master, the Fan Di would have already followed the fate of the Yue Shen. We two have observed everything and are willing to accept this. We even wish to witness with our own eyes where the destiny of the Fan Di ultimately leads under this choice."
Both Qianye Bingzhu and Qianye Wugu had once been Fantian Shendi. Their experience and insight were vast. And beyond that, they had even crossed the boundary of life and death. During those years when they existed as "the departed," what they immersed themselves in and comprehended was perhaps a realm that ordinary mortals could never touch.
Every syllable of their words seemed to contain a vast expanse of heaven and earth, an infinite weight of time and vicissitude.
And men such as these had actually made such a "choice"?
In the silence, everyone present—from the Abyss Guards to the Divine Emperors—felt an immense, intangible shock to their hearts.
"Shut up!" Qianye Ying'er scolded coldly: "I already told you, don't waste words on dead men. Are you really deaf?"
"…" Qianye Wugu and Qianye Bingzhu fell completely silent.
"Dead men?" Ashen gave a contemptuous laugh: "Qianye… oh no, Yun Qianying, could it be that you're actually talking about me?"
"Oh?" Qianye Ying'er raised her eyes, seeming to smile very lightly, and said languidly: "Could it be that you actually think you can leave here alive today?"
At these words, aside from Yun Che's party, everyone in the king's hall changed color dramatically.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!!"
The Ashen Dragon God laughed wildly, completely without dignity: "Excellent, very excellent. This is truly the most ridiculous joke this venerable one has ever heard… hahahaha!"
Nanming Shendi immediately stepped in with a smile: "Hahaha, Ying'er has always liked to joke around. I'm sure the Ashen Dragon God won't take it seriously. Please, be seated. Before the grand ceremony, this king has prepared quite a few entertainments that will surely not disappoint you all."
But the Ashen Dragon God ignored Nanming Shendi's placating words. His laughter suddenly stopped, and he glared coldly at Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er: "In just one month, you managed to make the Eastern Domain flee in defeat. You do have some skill. But don't think that with just this, you have the right to make noise at my Long Shen Realm!"
"Tsk," the Ashen Dragon God shook his head, his lips carrying three parts mockery and seven parts pity: "Originally, I kindly pointed out a retreat for you. What a pity, though—the most incurable things in this world are naivety and stupidity."
Nanming Shendi did not speak again. On one side was the Demon Lord of the Northern Domain, on the other the Dragon God of the Western Region… from the Southern Domain's standpoint, no one dared to lightly interject.
And with such a perfect situation, as a Southern Domain Divine Emperor, how could he actually mediate!
The Ashen Dragon God's temperament was violent and arrogant. But the might of the Long Shen Realm and of the Western God Domain had never been doubted by anyone since ancient times. And standing at the supreme peak, their power was far more exaggerated than what was shown on the surface.
"Ha," Yun Che gave a low laugh, speaking unhurriedly: "Anyone who dares to be arrogant before this Demon Lord, even speak insultingly of him, either becomes a sufficiently useful loyal dog and keeps his life, or… dies!"
"As for you," he raised his head, his gaze indifferent and murky, as if he weren't facing a Dragon God but looking upon a pitiful man about to die: "There is only death."
Under Yun Che's cold words, the already oppressive atmosphere suddenly became several times heavier and colder.
Death… kill a Dragon God here?
Just because of the Ashen Dragon God's earlier rude and arrogant words—words that were actually perfectly normal given his temperament?
They couldn't believe it. Even less could they accept it.
"With you?" Facing Yun Che's gaze, the Ashen Dragon God suddenly felt that he might not be joking. This only made him feel even more ridiculed and laughable.
His gaze slowly swept across Yun Che's back, and he said darkly: "Those monsters behind you—I am indeed no match for them. But if I want to leave, can you stop me? As for the consequences… Heh, you can't possibly be stupid enough to not see them, can you?"
If Yun Che were to actually lay hands on the Ashen Dragon God today in this Nanming King's Hall, the most direct consequence would be to thoroughly offend the Long Shen Realm!
And all for a reason that others would consider no reason at all.
This was far beyond the description of "madness" or "loss of reason."
Yun Che's expression did not change in the slightest. His fingers seemed to tap unconsciously on the table, and he said soft and weakly: "When killing a chicken, one still worries about it flying off. But killing a dragon… Ha, it's no different from slaughtering a dog."