# Chapter 1777: Cruel
Among the ancient divine clans, below the four Creation Gods, it was universally acknowledged that the Dragon God stood supreme.
Inheriting the diluted bloodline of the Dragon God, it was only natural that the Dragon God Clan could become the strongest race of the present age.
But the title "Dragon God" was once a divine name belonging solely to the Primordial Azure Dragon. Yun Che bore a great debt of gratitude from the Primordial Azure Dragon, and these so-called "Dragon Gods" were, in his eyes, nothing but a desecration of the Primordial Azure Dragon.
And if a true Dragon God truly existed in the present age, the one worthy of that title was not these "Dragon Gods," nor the Dragon Emperor, nor anyone from the Dragon God Realm... but him, Yun Che!
Because what he carried within him was the original bloodline, the original soul, and the original dragon marrow from the Primordial Azure Dragon.
When Yun Che approached the Ashen Dragon God, bringing with him an external release of draconic might, it gave the Ashen Dragon God a sense of suppression unlike any before—a pressure bearing down on both bloodline and soul.
At this most untimely moment, he suddenly understood why the Dragon Emperor, back when he was in the Eastern Divine Region, had publicly adopted a human man whose lifespan was not yet half a Jiazi and whose cultivation had just reached the Divine Spirit Realm as his righteous son.
That incident had caused a hundred times more upheaval in the Dragon God Realm than in the Eastern Divine Region, yet the Dragon Emperor had never explained the reason to anyone, not even the Nine Dragon Gods.
"The analogy you used just now was quite good," Yun Che said calmly, as if praising. "This Demon Lord is a butcher, and the Eastern Divine Region is a sleeping pig accustomed to comfort. So..."
He stepped closer, his voice slow and deep: "Guess, in the eyes of this Demon Lord the butcher, what is your Dragon God Realm?"
The Ashen Dragon God's draconic pupils trembled. Using almost all the force of his will, he slowly emitted a hoarse voice: "You... better... let go... of... this... Venerable... now..."
Even at this moment, even unto death, he would not set aside the pride he had carried throughout his life.
At this time, the Nanming Divine Emperor stepped forward slowly and said in a conciliatory tone: "Northern Domain Demon Lord, we have already witnessed the style of those under your command and are deeply amazed. As things stand, why doesn't the Demon Lord first release..."
"Nanming Divine Emperor," Yun Che spoke directly, but did not turn to look at the Nanming Divine Emperor. He said coldly: "This base dragon was arrogant and rude before this Demon Lord, speaking disrespectfully. I believe you all witnessed it as well. I do not understand the rules of your Southern Divine Region, but according to the Northern Divine Region, according to my rules, this is a capital crime that cannot be pardoned."
"In other words, this is my personal matter and has nothing to do with any of you. I trust that none of you wish to be drawn into it."
None of the Southern Domain Divine Emperors spoke.
Three Yan Ancestors, two Fan Ancestors—five terrifying old monsters that had almost appeared out of thin air. And there were also Qianye Ying'er and Gu Zhu. Yun Che himself was an even more terrifying and malicious freak than those old monsters. Although this was the territory of the Southern Divine Region, since it had nothing to do with them, who would dare to get involved? Who would want to get involved!?
Moreover, if the Northern Divine Region and the Western Divine Region tore into each other, it would be extremely beneficial and harmless to the already uneasy Southern Divine Region... The more terrifying Yun Che appeared, the more so.
The Nanming Divine Emperor smiled: "Of course, I should not interfere in the Demon Lord's personal affairs. However, this place is after all my Nanming territory. The Ashen Dragon God is a distinguished guest I personally invited, and my Nanming has been on good terms with the Dragon God Realm for generations. If I were to stand by and do nothing, it would truly be too heartless."
"Therefore, I humbly ask the Demon Lord, on my account, to spare the Ashen Dragon God."
Although it was a plea, the Nanming Divine Emperor's tone was very light, with neither obvious threat nor obvious sincerity.
A plea? He, the Ashen Dragon God, had never in his life needed others to plead for him!
"This Venerable... does not need... you to plead!" He gnashed his teeth, his eyes showing bloodshot veins: "Yun Che... do you dare... kill me!?"
"You have already made your plea, which can be considered as doing your utmost. But this Demon Lord does not accept your plea." Yun Che still did not turn around: "Is that enough?"
"Of course." The Nanming Divine Emperor smiled, stepped back, and said no more.
The Ziwei Divine Emperor moved forward to stand beside the Nanming Divine Emperor: "Nanming, are we really going to let this..."
But the Nanming Divine Emperor raised a hand to stop his words, staring straight at Yun Che. His peculiar gaze seemed very interested in what Yun Che would do next.
"It seems that even now, you don't believe that this Demon Lord dares to kill you?" Yun Che looked askance at the Ashen Dragon God, his words very light, as if he couldn't even be bothered to mock him.
The Ashen Dragon God's pupils dilated as if about to burst, but he still released a majesty sufficient to shock all living beings: "Heh... hehe..."
He actually laughed again. Although the laughter was extremely pained and forced, it carried deep contempt: "So this is... the Northern Domain Demon Lord... hehe... what a huge joke. So naive and stupid... With you... worthy of invading my Dragon God..."
"With you... worthy of aspiring to rule the Divine Realm..."
"Rule the Divine Realm?" Yun Che laughed lightly. He slightly raised his head, looking upward, as if speaking to the Ashen Dragon God, or as if talking to himself: "If I wished to rule the Divine Realm, back then I would only have needed to detain the Calamity Demon Emperor. Then, in this vast world, among the countless stars and all beings, who would dare to disobey my commands! Even if the Demon God returned to the world, with all calamities between heaven and earth, only I could enjoy eternal peace. If you wanted to survive in peace, even your Dragon God Realm would have to kneel and beg for my protection."
These words caused everyone's minds to tighten instantly.
Especially those Divine Emperors who had experienced the Demon Emperor's return back then—none of them had a single word to refute.
"If this Demon Lord wished to rule, what place would there be in this world for the name of Dragon Emperor!" Yun Che's voice turned cold: "This Demon Lord kills whoever deserves death. Do you understand?"
The Ashen Dragon God spoke with difficulty: "Fine. Then do it! Kill me, and you... will surely face the full fury of my Dragon God Realm! At that time, even if you can escape, the base demonfolk of the Northern Divine Region who follow you... will all be buried with me!"
"Heh," Yun Che revealed a rather eerie smile and said slowly: "This Demon Lord brought them out of the Northern Divine Region not to grant them new life, but to make them tools to stain this filthy world with blood!"
"Death is their greatest meaning in my hands. I can't wait to see, the moment they all die, what your Dragon God Realm will become then."
The air suddenly froze.
An invisible chill, like the claws of countless demons, deeply stabbed into everyone's heart and soul.
Standing at the highest level of the present age, each person possessed extremely profound experience and cunning, and each had a large amount of blood and sin on their hands.
But what they heard in their ears was the darkest, most deranged words they had ever heard in their lives.
Everyone's expressions changed drastically. Looking at Yun Che's back, the cold in their hearts could not be dispelled no matter what. Even the Nanming Divine Emperor, who had originally been watching with amusement, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
He had long told all the Nanming Kings and Abyss Gods that Yun Che was a madman, and his return this time was not for conquest, but for revenge.
That was also the biggest reason why he, as the most unrestrained Divine Emperor, chose to "back down."
Because the most terrifying thing in this world is not a strong person, but a madman.
But at this moment, he suddenly realized that he had still completely underestimated the extent of Yun Che's madness.
"..." Qianye Ying'er slightly furrowed her brow.
The Ashen Dragon God's originally enlarged draconic pupils rapidly contracted... The Dragon Clan's strength made no one dare to offend them, and their pride made them disdain bullying others. Thus, the Dragon God Realm had been revered as the supreme divine realm for a million years, admired by all beings, never facing external calamity.
If the demons of the Northern Divine Region were truly willing to dye the Dragon God Realm with their blood under Yun Che's command... although he absolutely did not believe that the Northern Domain demons were a match for the Dragon God Realm, with the strength the Northern Divine Region had displayed so far, while the Northern Domain demons would all be buried, the Dragon God Realm would undoubtedly suffer an unprecedented heavy blow.
A brief silence. He suddenly turned his draconic eyes and let out a laughing hiss: "Haha... hahahaha... Do you hear that, you old demons of the Northern Domain! He uses you, yet sees you as tools for burying your lives... hahahaha... Don't you still... ugh!"
Crack!
The sound of several dragon bones breaking rang out, heavy as a collapsing mountain.
Yan Yi raised his old eyes, demonic light gripping the heart: "To die for our master is our greatest glory!"
Yan Er raised his withered hand that had torn off the dragon bone: "I only seek to die ten thousand times for my master!"
Yan San grinned, revealing his dark gray teeth: "Hehe, our master's will is the reason we live! What bullshit is this base dragon spouting!"
The Ashen Dragon God was stunned. Everyone's throat felt as if something heavy was stuck, unable to make a sound.
When the Three Yan Mo Ancestors said these words, they showed not the slightest reluctance or strain, but instead carried a sense of honor that seemed to come from the very marrow and depths of their souls!
The Nanming Divine Emperor's scalp went numb.
These three terrifying old monsters who should not exist in this world being extremely respectful to Yun Che was already somewhat hard for him to understand. Their words now left him not only baffled but also... envious and jealous to the point of madness.
A Divine Emperor exists to command all beings, and will not submit to any living creature. Every Divine Emperor must give great importance, kindness, and favor to the inheritors of their divine power under their command, as well as various balances and adjustments.
Even then, one could never hope that they would be loyal unto death.
Because no matter how powerful they were, they would be the foundation of a realm, but never faithful dogs.
But by Yun Che's side, there were actually beings at the Divine Emperor level who were willing to die ten thousand times for him!
Three of them!
He couldn't understand it, and even more, he couldn't accept it.
"Good... methods..." the Ashen Dragon God murmured: "Truly good methods... To think that the Yan Mo ancestors would willingly be the faithful dogs of a fool... ugh!"
Yan San's eyes flashed with demonic light, clearly angered, but he dared not act rashly. He reported to Yun Che: "Master, shall we butcher this base dragon now?"
The grim tone did not instill any fear in the Ashen Dragon God. Pressed down by the five ancestors, he still released each word with fierce pride: "Come... kill me... Yun Che... if you have the guts... do it now—"
Yun Che stared at him, then suddenly gave a cold smile: "Among the people I have encountered in my life, most fear death. The higher one's status, the more they fear death. Someone like you who is not afraid of death is truly rare."
"Since you are not afraid of death, how could this Demon Lord be so ungracious as to grant you death?"
The Ashen Dragon God's draconic pupils widened, and he let out a wild, mocking laugh: "Haha... hahahaha... So you really don't dare kill me after all! Where did that courage go just now? Hmm!? Hahahaha..."
"If you want to die, that's fine," Yun Che said unhurriedly. "Come and beg this Demon Lord. Only when you learn how to kneel before this Demon Lord will you be qualified to receive death from him. Do you understand?"
"Heh... haha... hahahaha..." The Ashen Dragon God's face was pained, but his mouth was full of wild laughter: "A base demon... wants this Venerable to submit... dream on!"
"Yan Yi, Yan Er, Yan San," Yun Che turned around, no longer looking at the Ashen Dragon God. "How to make a base dragon beg for death—such a simple thing, you can't fail to do it, can you?"
The low command deeply ignited the darkness and ferocity in the Three Yan Ancestors' bones. Their old eyes released excited black light, and even their speech gained some heat: "As you command, master!"
"Ahhh—"
As soon as the Three Yan Ancestors' words fell, a soul-piercing scream of agony nearly shattered the sky above the Nanming King City.
Centered on the ghost claws of the Three Yan Ancestors piercing into the dragon's body, countless black marks suddenly radiated and spread across the Ashen Dragon God's body, like millions of dark demon blades, cruelly slicing, piercing, and devouring every corner of the massive dragon body.
The devouring of darkness was itself a form of torture.
Let alone the Yan Mo ghost claws of the Three Yan Ancestors.
Every single one of those countless black marks, even every trace of black light, was enough to make any living being instantly and clearly understand what it meant to wish for death but be unable to achieve it.
But the Ashen Dragon God's scream lasted only a moment before he suppressed it completely. Not only did he not beg for mercy or death, he didn't even let out another cry of agony. Only his dragon teeth, under extreme pain, continuously emitted horrifying cracking sounds.
"Hmm?"
Such a simple task, yet the cruelest Yan Mo power had failed to make this dragon submit. This undoubtedly angered the Three Yan Ancestors. They changed their gestures simultaneously. Instantly, the black marks on the Ashen Dragon God's body multiplied, dragon bones shattered one by one, and the originally indestructible dragon body directly split open with thousands of cracks.
The dragon blood that spurted out at that moment was like a torrential rain.
"Crack—"
The Ashen Dragon God's entire body convulsed, his dragon teeth crushed piece by piece. In the king's hall, a large number of powerful individuals were shocked into silence, but still, no sound of the Ashen Dragon God's screams was heard.
"Heh... hehe..."
The torment was no less than purgatory, the pain of all dragon bones breaking, yet it could not shatter his pride as a Dragon God. Instead, he laughed, even though his entire face was twisted and contorted beyond recognition.
"You... want... this... Venerable... to beg for mercy... are you worthy..."
"Your fate... will be a thousand, ten thousand times... more miserable than mine... hehe... ha... haha..."
Not only was he laughing, he could even speak.
Just a moment ago, they had been horrified by the suffering the Ashen Dragon God was enduring; now, they couldn't help but feel deep shock and admiration in their hearts.
This was the will of a dragon, the soul of a dragon, the proud bone of a dragon.
"No need to be so impatient. Save your strength and enjoy it properly," Yun Che said slowly. "This Demon Lord has plenty of time. The scene of torturing a so-called Dragon God is probably rare, and everyone present surely wants to watch a little longer. You must hold on for a long time."
As he finished speaking, the Ashen Dragon God's dragon sinews were torn apart one by one, then gradually devoured into dark dust.
The terrible sound of dragon teeth being crushed continued every second, but still no screams or pleas for mercy were heard.
"Northern Domain Demon Lord," the Nanming Divine Emperor finally spoke. "The crime of the Ashen Dragon God's offense has now been sufficiently punished. Since the Demon Lord and the Dragon Clan have a special connection, and there is no deep hatred between you and the Ashen Dragon God, why not grant grace and forgive him now? What do you say?"
"Offense," "grant grace"... The Nanming Divine Emperor's words did not make the Ashen Dragon God grateful; instead, they made him even angrier. From his throat, he emitted a completely distorted and hoarse roar: "Nanming... this Venerable doesn't need you to plead for me!"
"Yun Che... if you have the guts, kill me... come on!!"
"Want to die? Beg me," Yun Che said with a faint smile.
"I... spit!" The Ashen Dragon God crushed his last dragon tooth with his own mouth, but the arrogance in his voice seemed undiminished: "A gutless waste... a mad dog fallen to demonhood... are you worthy!"
Yun Che glanced sideways, coldly staring at the Ashen Dragon God.
To be honest, the Ashen Dragon God's willpower had exceeded his estimate... and by far.
He knew exactly how cruel the Yan Mo power of the Three Yan Ancestors was. The suffering the Ashen Dragon God was enduring was almost no less than the pain of the Buddhist Soul Death-Pleading Seal.
But not only did he not beg for mercy, he even suppressed his screams with all his might.
The Nine Dragon Gods of the Dragon God Realm truly needed to be re-evaluated.
"There's no need to waste too much time on a mere Dragon God."
Qianye Ying'er suddenly spoke. She said unhurriedly: "Given the will of a Dragon God, even if you tortured him to death, he probably wouldn't really beg for mercy."
She stood up and faced Yun Che's gaze: "If you want to make him submit, just destroy what he values most."
"Speak," Yun Che said. In terms of understanding the Dragon God Realm, he was far inferior to Qianye Ying'er.
"Simple enough." Qianye Ying'er stood up: "To them, the title 'Dragon God' is above all else. Even if they die a thousand, ten thousand deaths, they will never abandon it, let alone trample upon their dignity and pride as Dragon Gods."
"So..." She lightly curled her lips, and between her beautiful lips, she spoke words that were no less than a nightmare from the abyss to the Ashen Dragon God: "Shatter his dragon pill, peel off his dragon skin, carve the most disgraceful dark characters on his dragon body, then hang him above the Zhou Tian Realm and project it before all beings under heaven."
"Let everyone witness his miserable state, let those ants he once disdained to even glance at pity him. In this way, the Ashen Dragon God will become the shame of the Dragon God Realm, an eternal shame."
"In any future era, any race's records of the Ashen Dragon God will forever be imprinted with the word 'shame'."
"You..." The Ashen Dragon God's body suddenly began to tremble chaotically, and his draconic pupils quickly turned from dark gray to blood red.
An invisible chill stabbed everyone's spine.
That already terrifying Fandi Shennü of the past, after returning from the Northern Divine Region, had clearly become even more cruel and ruthless.
"Very good." Yun Che nodded slightly and directly said: "Yan Yi, Yan Er, Yan San, do it as Ying'er said. First shatter his dragon bones and dragon pill, make him unable to die. As for the dark characters... hmph, carve the words 'base dragon'."
"As you command!"
The Three Yan Mo Ancestors replied in unison. The darkness surged, and the destruction of the dragon bones changed from slow devouring to ferocious breaking, the sound of cracking like thunder.
"Ah—"
The pain of forced breaking was far less than the slow dark devouring, but the Dragon God who had refused to utter even a single groan earlier now let out a miserable scream, followed by a distorted roar: "Kill me... kill me!"
This roar no longer had the previous unyielding arrogance. Not only was it extremely urgent, but it clearly carried some fear and a tremor that anyone could hear.