# Chapter 1790: The Divine Emperor's Choice
"Cai Zhi, why did you come to the Southern Divine Realm so early?" Yun Che asked. He already knew the answer, but still wanted to hear Cai Zhi say it herself.
Cai Zhi spoke lightly and faintly: "The Eastern Divine Realm was caught off guard by your attack there, and combined with their enormous cognitive bias toward the Northern Divine Realm, they shouldn't need my help for the Eastern Divine Realm battle. And after the Eastern Divine Realm, the next target would surely be the Southern Divine Realm."
"But... I didn't expect it would be this fast." Cai Zhi glanced at Yun Che, her still-young face carrying an unprecedented indifference and decisiveness: "I had planned to gradually incite internal chaos in the Southern Divine Realm from the shadows... but you've already come in person, impatiently."
The Eastern Divine Realm had not yet stabilized, and the Western Divine Realm's movements were even harder to predict. His arrival at the Nanming Divine Realm was indeed "impatient."
"You also cracked the Illusion Nanming Xuanji Array of Nanming a long time ago?" Yun Che asked... Suddenly, as if thinking of something, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Using the Cosmic Thorn power imprinted on the Celestial Wolf Holy Sword, it's very easy to track down another array eye of the Illusion Nanming Xuanji Array," Cai Zhi said coldly. "If Nanming is pushed to a dead end, the one most likely to use the Illusion Nanming Xuanji Array is Nan Wansheng. If he escapes into it, the place he reaches will be his true burial ground."
"The one waiting outside the array to kill Nan Wansheng—who was it?" Yun Che suddenly asked.
"Of course it was the Taichu..." Cai Zhi spoke halfway, then suddenly sensed the distinctly unusual look in Yun Che's eyes, unable to continue the rest of her sentence.
"The Primordial Dragon's aura is special. If it appeared in the Divine Realm too early, it would easily be detected," Yun Che said slowly. "After all, Nan Wansheng was the number one person of the Southern Divine Realm. Even if severely injured and on the verge of death, to kill him in such a short time, among the Primordial Dragon Clan, the only one who could guarantee success was probably the Primordial Dragon Emperor."
"And the Primordial Dragon Emperor has always been beneath your feet." He looked at Cai Zhi, pondering in his heart: "Who could it be?"
"Hmph." Cai Zhi turned her face away: "You don't need to know."
"Uh..." Yun Che squeezed Cai Zhi's palm and smiled: "Alright, fine, I won't ask."
After Nan Wansheng fled, Nan Guizhong's expression changed drastically within three breaths...
To kill a severely injured Nan Wansheng within three breaths... How many people in heaven and earth could accomplish this?
Cai Zhi didn't want to say, and Yun Che certainly wouldn't force her, but inwardly he kept silently pondering and eliminating possibilities.
Returning to the sky above Nanming King City, the black smoke and dust still churned and rose, devouring the sea of blood and scattered corpses that stretched across the horizon.
Yan Tianxiao had already returned. He quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Reporting to the Demon Lord, the remaining Nanming forces have all scattered beyond the realm. We followed the Demon Lord's orders and did not pursue further."
"Mm." Yun Che nodded.
Yan Tianxiao glanced at Cai Zhi beside Yun Che, his lips moving slightly, but he held back from asking more.
Seeing Yun Che and Cai Zhi's tightly clasped hands, the Three Yan Ancestors inwardly groaned.
Another master that needed to be carefully attended to...
Qianye Ying'er slightly pursed her lips, but didn't say anything to provoke Cai Zhi.
Nan Qianqiu was still being held by Yan Yi, grasped by the head.
He had never completely lost consciousness. He watched Nan Guizhong's suicide with his own eyes, watched the Abyss Gods die one by one, watched the King City collapse in a sea of blood... It was a kind of coldness, despair, and terror that no words could describe.
The killing aura from Yan Yi pierced every corner of his body like ten thousand steel needles. Every moment was worse than death, but he couldn't struggle, couldn't even let out a desperate groan. Only the pores all over his body spasmed and contracted violently.
He didn't know why he was still alive... He who clearly feared death now only wished to die a quick, clean death, to end this dark nightmare.
Cang Shitian, who had been left aside for a long time, suddenly stepped forward. Then, to everyone's shock, he knelt on one knee before Yun Che, his head that bore the fame of a Divine Emperor hung low, and he shouted loudly: "Demon Lord above, Ten Directions Canglan Realm's Realm King Cang Shitian, congratulates the Demon Lord on breaking through Nanming and descending upon the Southern Divine Realm! Cang Shitian is willing, in the posture of a Southern Domain Divine Emperor, to welcome the Demon Lord's arrival, and from now on pledge loyalty under the Demon Lord's command, to be at your disposal. I beg the Demon Lord to grant this."
If not heard with one's own ears, no one would believe these words came from the mouth of a Southern Domain Divine Emperor.
The Xuanyuan Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor both widened their eyes, their fingers trembling. As fellow Southern Domain Divine Emperors, they felt an extreme sense of shame.
"Mm?" Yun Che's gaze slanted, faintly glancing at Cang Shitian, then suddenly stomped his foot.
This kick aimed straight for Cang Shitian's face... a place that no one should ever have trampled, the bottom line of dignity, let alone for a Divine Emperor who looked down upon all living beings.
The corner of Cang Shitian's mouth twitched slightly, but he did not dodge, even forcibly suppressing the aura on his body.
*Bang!*
This kick heavily struck Cang Shitian's face. Instantly, Cang Shitian's nose bridge collapsed, his front teeth broke, and two streams of blood spurted from his nostrils.
The body of the Shitian Divine Emperor tumbled several times in the air. When he landed, he still maintained the same kneeling posture. He let his face bleed profusely and lowered his head: "Thank you for the Demon Lord's grace."
"Ca... Cang Shitian!" The Xuanyuan Emperor pointed at Cang Shitian, his face muscles twitching, unable to speak for a long time.
For an ordinary mortal to debase themselves like this to survive was contemptible but understandable. But he, Cang Shitian, the world-shaking Shitian Divine Emperor, had debased himself to such a degree... This could no longer be described by the word "shame."
"Heh," Yun Che sneered: "Isn't this the Shitian Divine Emperor of the Southern Divine Realm? Why has he suddenly become like a dog?"
Faced with such humiliating words, Cang Shitian's expression did not change. He said heavily: "Since I have resolved to submit to the Demon Lord, I should serve with the loyalty of a dog or horse."
"Alas." A soft sigh came faintly, from Qianye Wugu.
Even he, who had seen through life and death, could not accept that a dignified Divine Emperor would suddenly kneel and lose his honor. He closed his eyes and said: "Fearing death is human nature. But with your status as a Divine Emperor, bearing the honor and disgrace of Ten Directions Canglan, how could you sink to this?"
"Hehe," facing Qianye Wugu's words, Cang Shitian let out an eerie faint laugh. He raised his head, his gaze quite calm: "It's better to live a dog's life than to die a pointless death. And besides... how do you know that I'm not truly willing to submit to the Demon Lord's command?"
"..." Qianye Wugu slightly frowned, and Yun Che also narrowed his eyes.
"Cang Shitian!" The Ziwei Emperor could no longer hold back and roared: "You who fear death so much and lose your honor, willing to be a dog to others—you are no longer worthy of being the Canglan Emperor, and even less worthy of being the Emperor of my Southern Domain... Ptooey!"
The Xuanyuan Emperor quickly raised his hand to stop the Ziwei Emperor's words.
"Heh, heheheh." Cang Shitian laughed lowly, unhurriedly saying: "Life... is really too boring and tedious. A hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years... I haven't found any decent amusement for who knows how many years."
"But now, heaven and earth have changed color." Cang Shitian was smiling, and in his smile there was no fear or humiliation, but instead a twisted pleasure: "Following the Demon Lord, perhaps we can overturn heaven and earth, create a new, completely different world!"
"Is there anything more interesting than this in the world?" He suddenly turned his head, his gaze burning as he stared at the Xuanyuan Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor: "An era like this, an opportunity like this—never before seen in the history of the Divine Realm! This is a gift from heaven! How could I miss it! Only then would I not have wasted my time walking through this boring world, heh... heheheh!"
"You..." The Xuanyuan Emperor pointed at Cang Shitian, his voice trembling: "You truly... are a madman!"
Cang Shitian had always acted maniacally, never following reason or human norms. The title "Madman" had circulated in the Divine Realm for ten thousand years. But only today did everyone truly understand just how mad he was.
No one knew if this was Cang Shitian's true thoughts. But, after today's overnight destruction of Nanming, anyone—especially the Southern Domain Divine Emperors who had witnessed everything—could no longer deny that the Northern Divine Realm, led by the Demon Lord Yun Che, indeed had the potential to overturn heaven and earth.
Even with the Dragon God Realm's existence!
"Heh, submitting to this Demon Lord just because it's interesting? What a shoddy answer." Yun Che's cold smile was faint. "Cang Shitian, back then outside the Lan Ji Star, you were also one of those who attacked me and my master. Do you think this Demon Lord will let you off today?"
Cang Shitian met Yun Che's gaze and said in a low voice: "I have never had any enmity with the Demon Lord. My actions back then and today were merely making the most correct choices and trade-offs."
"After the Demon Lord crushes the Southern Domain, the next to face will be the Western Divine Realm. Even if the Demon Lord's might covers the heavens, I'm afraid he cannot underestimate the Western Divine Realm. Under such circumstances, between a Divine Emperor who fights to the death and a Divine Emperor willing to be a loyal dog, along with the entire Ten Directions Canglan Realm... a great Demon Lord like yourself, even if you bear resentment toward me, will surely make the wisest choice."
Yun Che raised his proud head, his cold eyes looking down: "Are you teaching this Demon Lord how to act?"
"How would I dare?" Cang Shitian said. He raised his palm, grinning slightly: "I just kicked a man when he was down, severely injuring Nan Wansheng, witnessed by ten thousand eyes. I've already cut off my own retreat. If the Demon Lord is determined to kill me, why not wait until after the war with the Western Divine Realm, when you've squeezed all my usefulness dry, then kill me!"
Yun Che's gaze narrowed another degree.
"The Demon Lord rarely sets foot in the Southern Domain, and the Northern Divine Realm's understanding of the Southern Divine Realm must also be very limited. Now that the Demon Lord has defeated Nanming, sweeping across the vast Southern Divine Realm will likely take a long time. But if you have me to guide you from the front, it will surely be twice the result with half the effort. Even if the Western Divine Realm suddenly makes a move, you can respond calmly."
"..." After this speech, everyone's gaze toward this mad Divine Emperor subtly changed once more.
"Alas." Qianye Wugu sighed again, then muttered to himself: "The younger generation of Canglan... perhaps this old man really did underestimate them."
A half-smile played on Yun Che's lips, but everyone could clearly perceive that his killing intent toward Cang Shitian had suddenly vanished.
He did not respond to Cang Shitian, but suddenly turned his head, his dark gaze piercing straight at the distant Xuanyuan Emperor and Ziwei Emperor: "And what about you two?"
The two Divine Emperors' expressions darkened uncertainly. The Xuanyuan Emperor stepped forward and said heavily: "The Demon Lord's divine might humbles Xuanyuan."
He took a light breath and continued: "As long as the Demon Lord does not invade my Xuanyuan Realm, Xuanyuan will absolutely not be the Demon Lord's enemy. This statement, Xuanyuan can swear by his sword."
With the Xuanyuan Emperor taking the lead, the Ziwei Emperor's pressure greatly decreased, and he also said: "My Ziwei Realm also guarantees that it will not take a single step to actively offend the Northern Divine Realm!"
With darkness descending upon the sky, they had no choice but to retreat. For the two Divine Emperors, this was already a choice made under extreme helplessness and humiliation... But at least, they still held onto the final dignity of a King Realm and a Divine Emperor, not groveling like Cang Shitian.
"Heh..." Facing the words of the Xuanyuan and Ziwei Emperors, Yun Che let out a piercing cold laugh.
Demonic wind swirled, and in the low laugh was endless mockery. His gaze shifted slightly, clearly looking at the two Divine Emperors, yet it felt like looking down upon two utterly despicable and laughable ants: "Are you... negotiating with this Demon Lord?"
Yun Che's aura and gaze made the two Divine Emperors extremely uncomfortable. The Xuanyuan Emperor said deeply: "Demon Lord, the Southern Divine Realm is the root of our Xuanyuan and Ziwei Realms, and also the land we must protect. Now that the Demon Lord has arrived, making such a vow is already an unprecedented concession."
The Ziwei Emperor continued: "The Demon Lord will soon face the heavy pressure from the Western Divine Realm at any time. Two King Realms that fight to the death as enemies, versus two King Realms that vow to stay out of the fight... A wise Demon Lord like yourself must know how to choose."
These words were exactly like Cang Shitian's earlier statement. But Cang Shitian curled his lips at this moment, revealing a trace of mockery.
"Such a vast Southern Divine Realm, yet what a despicable land it is, where even its Divine Emperors are such naive and laughable fools."
Yun Che's gaze moved lightly, and instantly heaven and earth darkened. The ghostly shadows of the Three Yan Ancestors had already surrounded the two Divine Emperors, like demonic auras from the depths of hell released simultaneously, instantly piercing their souls and clinging to their bones, causing the two Divine Emperors to tremble uncontrollably, unable to stop.
"Demon Lord, you..." The sword in the Xuanyuan Emperor's hand hummed, but he forcefully held back from drawing it.
"Cang Shitian has cut off his own retreat and is willing to be a loyal dog. Since he has become this Demon Lord's dog, he naturally has the right to ask for a reward." Yun Che narrowed his eyes sideways: "What do the two of you think you are? Worthy of barking at this Demon Lord?"
The Xuanyuan Emperor and Ziwei Emperor both staggered slightly.
"Back then, you repaid my kindness with enmity, kicking me when I was down. Today, you aided Nanming against this Demon Lord. This Demon Lord hasn't touched you until now, leaving your dog lives intact, yet you use them as bargaining chips?"
"You have some nerve."
Clearly expecting Yun Che to react this way, the Xuanyuan Emperor and Ziwei Emperor's eyes instead grew colder and more resolute. The Xuanyuan Emperor said: "Demon Lord, we admit that the Northern Divine Realm's strength far exceeds expectations, enough to make one cautious. But, the Western Divine Realm is not like my Southern Divine Realm. You just killed the Withered Dragon God, and the Dragon God Realm will surely immediately lead the Western Divine Realm to descend upon you!"
"We step back, and the Demon Lord will have no worries in the Southern Domain. Otherwise... being attacked from both front and back will be extremely unfavorable for the Demon Lord."
The Ziwei Emperor looked directly at Yun Che, fully releasing his Divine Emperor's majesty, and said seriously: "Considering the peace of Xuanyuan and Ziwei Realms, we have retreated to this point, which is already an extreme humiliation, and also harmless to the Demon Lord. But if you want us to kneel to you like Cang Shitian..."
His voice paused, the Ziwei Emperor's eyes burst with purple light, and his profound energy slightly swirled around him, as if ready to fight to the death: "Even if we die here today, we will never agree! When the Demon Lord fights the Western Domain, the Ziwei and Xuanyuan Realms will surely be the blades pressed against the Demon Lord's back!"
"Very well." Yun Che responded indifferently, then turned his face away: "Then go die."
"Kill them, then slaughter Xuanyuan and Ziwei."
With Yun Che's single command, the Three Yan Ancestors didn't hesitate for even a moment. Instantly, they charged out like three mad dogs. Three dark ghost claws tore open three pitch-black demon abysses, sealing off every trace of space around the two Divine Emperors.
Never dreaming that Yun Che would directly issue a kill order, the two momentarily stunned Divine Emperors were fiercely crushed into the dark domain torn open by the Three Yan Ancestors. Yan Tianxiao and the other Yan Emperors also moved in response. The violently erupting Yan Ghost power merged into a demonic net that devoured all light, spreading a sealing domain that even Divine Emperors could not escape from.
The sword domain and purple light exploded simultaneously, but these two Divine Emperors faced the power of the Three Yan Ancestors and a host of Yan Emperors and Yan Lords, plus the two unengaged Brahma Ancestors, Qianye Ying'er, Gu Zhu, Yun Che, the Celestial Wolf... and the honor-lost defector Cang Shitian. Having their escape routes sealed from the start, they now faced a true dead end.
They forcefully held up their domains, clenching their teeth. The Xuanyuan Emperor could no longer remain calm. He said deeply: "Demon Lord, we have already retreated ten thousand steps. Do you truly want... a fight to the death?"
The news of the Withered Dragon God's miserable death must have already spread far and wide. The Dragon God Realm's fury and retaliation would undoubtedly come very soon. In such a situation, they were certain that Yun Che absolutely would not want two more powerful enemies. So, in their "negotiation" with Yun Che, they had full confidence.
Yet they never expected...
Before they could receive Yun Che's response, a burst of wild laughter suddenly rang out in their ears.
"Hahahaha... hahahahahaha!"
The one laughing wildly was none other than Cang Shitian. His facial muscles trembled violently as he laughed until he bent over, as if seeing the most ridiculous and absurd scene in the world.
"Cang Shitian!" The endless frustration and anxiety turned into anger. The Ziwei Emperor gnashed his teeth: "You honor-forsaken, principle-abandoning mad dog... you still have the face to laugh!"
"Ha... hahaha... hahahaha!" Cang Shitian pressed his hand to his chest, doubled over with laughter. It took him a long time to finally stop his wild laughter. He unhurriedly turned his gaze, looking at the Xuanyuan and Ziwei Emperors with a gaze approaching pitiful contempt: "Quite the 'rather die than surrender,' quite the 'unyielding integrity,' tsk tsk tsk tsk."
Cang Shitian shook his head, the corner of his mouth slowly curling into an extremely mocking arc: "Xuanyuan and Ziwei, you've been Divine Emperors for over twenty thousand years—your brains shouldn't be so rotten as to have forgotten, should they? Haven't you forgotten so soon who saved this Divine Realm back then, and what kind of faces you showed when the Demon Lord was being hunted by all realms?"
The Xuanyuan Emperor and Ziwei Emperor's expressions both changed slightly.
"Your 'rather die than surrender' and 'unyielding integrity' act might fool those lowly commoners, but before the Demon Lord... you are nothing but the most ridiculous and shameful clowns in the world! Hahahahaha!"
"Oh no no no no!" Cang Shitian laughed wildly, then immediately added: "The truth of how the Demon Lord saved the world back then is now basically known to everyone in the Southern Divine Realm. Perhaps in the eyes of those commoners, your current appearance is nothing but a clown's face! You actually dared to try to negotiate with the Demon Lord—where did you get the nerve? Hahahaha!"
"Cang... Shi... Tian!" The Xuanyuan and Ziwei Emperors' teeth were nearly ground to pieces, their voices trembling, their eyes filled with rage... But there was no doubt that Cang Shitian's words, every single one, pierced their souls like venomous needles.
The truth of that year—all the Divine Emperors had firmly hidden it. After Yun Che exposed his dark power, they all sought to eliminate him for similar reasons... driving the man who had just saved the world to a dead end, destroying the planet he came from, destroying everything he had.
In terms of humanity, ten thousand acts of ingratitude would not suffice to describe such behavior... They knew this themselves. So, tragically, they had no way to refute Cang Shitian's words. Before Yun Che, they indeed had no right to talk about face or dignity.
At this moment, thinking back, their "unyielding spirit" and "rather die than surrender" truly seemed so ridiculously laughable.
Yun Che directly turned his back, unwilling to look at the Xuanyuan Emperor or Ziwei Emperor again, leaving only an ice-cold single word: "Kill!"
With the command, as the Three Yan Ancestors' expressions grew even more ferocious, the pressure on the Xuanyuan Emperor and Ziwei Emperor increased sharply.
At this moment, Cang Shitian spoke again. He admired the two Divine Emperors' unsightly expressions and said slowly: "Xuanyuan Emperor, Ziwei Emperor, you two are old, and your ears are about deaf. I'm afraid you didn't hear my earlier warning clearly. Then I won't mind reminding you once more."
"Making an enemy of the Dragon God Realm—even in the worst outcome, the Dragon God Realm will at most depose your imperial positions and cultivation, leaving a mark of grave sin on your lineage. To maintain their righteous facade, they wouldn't go so far as to annihilate your realms."
"As for shame, there are countless ways and endless time to slowly wash it away. No matter how fallen your bloodline, as long as the power of divine legacy remains, there will always be a time to shine again."
"But if you make an enemy of the Demon Lord..." Cang Shitian raised his hand, his little finger pointing downward: "If your old eyes aren't blind, then take a good look at Nanming's fate."