Chapter 1849: Fairness
"Heh heh heh heh." Facing Yun Che's suddenly chilling words, Long Bai also smiled faintly: "Yun Che, I heard that when you led the Northern Domain demonic invaders a few months ago, your cultivation was already at the peak of the Divine Sovereign Realm. You single-handedly defeated the severely injured Taiyu Venerable, and together with Qianye's daughter, you defeated Yue Shen Di."
"I originally thought that since you emerged from the Zhou Tian Pearl, your cultivation should have progressed. But unfortunately..." Long Bai's eyelids drooped slightly, adopting a posture of judgment as he revealed a faint disappointment: "Bearing the power of both the Evil God and Jie Tian Mo Di, you still haven't been able to break through the Divine Sovereign Realm. How boring, and how disappointing."
"After all, attacking a Divine Sovereign—I'm afraid even my dragon claws would disdain to agree."
Yun Che's expression did not change. Without any emotion, he said: "You want to duel me one-on-one?"
"Although it's somewhat boring and ridiculous, still..." Long Bai raised his hand. His dragon aura did not leak out at all, yet inexplicably, a terrifying pressure descended: "You must die by my hand!"
"Ptooey!" Yan San fiercely spat out a mouthful of blood, stepping forward and cursing: "Want to harm my master? Over my—"
"Get back." Yun Che said in a flat tone.
Yan San's neck and feet immediately shrank back again.
"Very good." Yun Che's five fingers slowly curled inward. His expression remained cold and calm, but only he himself knew that the fury in his heart and soul was already like thousands of ferocious, howling demons, on the verge of completely losing control at any moment.
"Indeed, there are some things in this world that are boring and ridiculous, yet must be done."
Yun Che stepped forward, walking slowly toward Long Bai under the frightened and worried gazes of the Northern Domain profound practitioners: "Since you want to fight me alone so badly, I, the Northern Domain Demon Lord Yun Che, will grant you this opportunity!"
"Grant... grant? Hahahahaha..." All the Dragon Gods, Dragon Lords, and Western Domain Divine Emperors were stunned at first, then burst into wild laughter.
Although he was the Northern Domain Demon Lord whom the Northern Domain demonic practitioners were willing to die to protect, with a cultivation base at the tenth level of the Divine Sovereign Realm, leading a ragged and broken group of demons behind him, he actually dared to speak such words to Long Bai?
This wasn't even just ridiculous; they had to suspect whether Yun Che, crushed by the miserable and hopeless situation, had completely lost his mind from the unbearable pressure.
"Hmph." Long Bai exhaled blandly: "This is the favor I am bestowing upon you. The longer you can hold out, the more time your underlings can breathe. Consider this a small reward for your past achievements."
As he spoke, he stepped forward, releasing his full dragon might. Instantly, both the Northern Domain camp and the Western Domain formation were shaken violently. Many profound practitioners involuntarily retreated a step, while some of the severely wounded were knocked to the ground, their internal organs bleeding.
"Listen," Long Bai said flatly: "During my battle with Yun Che, no matter what happens, none of you are to interfere..."
The Northern Domain and Western Domain profound practitioners were all stunned. Bihuo Dragon God blurted out: "Your Majesty Dragon Emperor, a mere stray dog like him is not worthy of your personal—"
Before he could finish, his arm was fiercely grabbed by Su Xin Dragon God: "Shut up."
"Whoever dares to intervene, no matter who they are, don't... blame... me... for... being... ruthless!"
Every word Long Bai spoke was slow and chilling. Each word warned all the Western Domain profound practitioners that this seemingly absurd and ridiculous command was actually a supreme imperial decree that no one could defy in the slightest!
Bihuo Dragon God immediately shut his mouth tightly, cold sweat pouring all over his body.
At this point, even the most slow-witted person would clearly realize that Long Bai's animosity toward Yun Che was not just that of a Dragon Emperor toward a Demon Lord, but involved heavy personal enmity.
Coupled with the Demon Empress's earlier words...
A guess that made everyone's hearts race flashed through their minds... but they immediately suppressed it firmly, not daring to utter even half a word, or even show the slightest unusual expression.
Long Bai wanted to personally attack Yun Che. Yun Che, as well as Chi Wuyue and Qianye Ying'er who knew the inside story, were not at all surprised.
Because only with Yun Che could he release the extreme jealousy, resentment, and hatred that had been pent up in his heart for years. Only by personally... completely and thoroughly crushing Yun Che in every aspect could he find a trace of pitiful dignity and psychological balance.
Earlier, when the Western Divine Domain was completely overwhelming the Northern Divine Domain, Long Bai had remained indifferent the entire time... At that time, there was no pleasure in his heart, only dissatisfaction and agitation.
Now, finally... finally...
His expression was calm, and there was no turbulence in his dragon aura. But his seemingly naturally drooping hand had every finger tensed to the point of snapping.
"Everyone, fall back!" Yun Che also spoke coldly at this moment: "This Demon Lord's battle with Long Bai—no one is to interfere, or face severe punishment!"
Yun Che's words naturally startled all the Northern Domain profound practitioners. Except for the Three Yan Mo Ancestors, who would never defy orders, everyone else was full of hesitation... After all, at this moment, their greatest desire, perhaps even the last purpose of their survival, was to do everything possible to protect Yun Che and escape from this place.
How could they let him face the terrifying Long Bai alone?
Chi Wuyue gazed deeply at Yun Che. She did not dissuade him, nor did she ask any questions. Instead, she raised her hand and gently pushed out a dark energy wave: "The Demon Lord's orders cannot be disobeyed. This battle belongs to the Demon Lord himself. We cannot interfere. Fall back."
Qianye Ying'er staggered and lunged to Chi Wuyue's side. Her weak snow-white hand tightly grabbed Chi Wuyue's arm, and she said hoarsely: "What are you... doing..."
"Trust him." Chi Wuyue said.
"This is not a matter of trust..." Qianye Ying'er's expression was pained, her teeth clenched almost to the point of breaking: "With you and Mu Xuanyin here, he can definitely... escape... You can't let him take any more risks!"
"Even if not for him... do you want everyone's deaths... to be in vain!"
"..." Chi Wuyue opened her lips, her ten fingers unconsciously tightening. She, who was usually decisive, now wavered painfully.
She had never seen such an expression in Yun Che's eyes before. But she couldn't confirm how much rationality and how much irrationality lay beneath Yun Che's seemingly determined appearance. However, the fact that his profound strength was at the tenth level of the Divine Sovereign Realm was an unimaginable reality.
"It won't happen..."
A very soft, girl's voice came. Shui Meiyin used her own profound energy to protect her sister, who could no longer stand, and murmured: "Yun Che gege will definitely not let them die in vain... definitely not."
With that, she lifted Shui Yingyue, moved lightly, and retreated far away.
Chi Wuyue hesitated no longer. Her dark profound energy lifted some of the severely wounded Northern Domain profound practitioners, and she said solemnly: "Obey the Demon Lord's command! Everyone, fall back!"
Both sides retreated, leaving only Yun Che and Long Bai facing each other from a distance in the center of the ruined Canglan Divine Domain.
"Make your move." Facing Yun Che, Long Bai actually clasped his hands behind his back.
In Long Bai's heart, it was as if malignant ghosts were howling ferociously, eager to tear Yun Che to shreds immediately. But his dignity, his arrogance, his resentment, and his status and prestige as Dragon Emperor all forbade him from striking first.
A black light flashed in front of Yun Che, and the Heaven's Calamity Demon Emperor Sword appeared. He touched the sword's body and said: "Bring out your weapon."
"I have never deigned to use weapons." Long Bai said coldly.
"Is that so?" Yun Che waved his hand and actually put away the Heaven's Calamity Demon Emperor Sword directly. Then, his gaze fell on Long Bai's chest: "Oh? You're injured?"
As soon as he spoke, Yun Che's eyes suddenly turned dark. His profound energy erupted, and he swung his right arm, condensing a terrifying flame light on his fist. Then, to everyone's suddenly widened pupils...
He fiercely slammed his fist into his own chest!
Boom!!
The force released by this strike was terrifying beyond measure. It struck the center of his chest, piercing straight through his internal organs. A massive spray of blood gushed from Yun Che's chest, back, and mouth simultaneously, a shocking sight.
"De... Demon Lord!?"
"Yun Che!!"
Chaotic, involuntary cries of alarm came from behind. Yun Che's action left all the profound practitioners utterly horrified. In their wildest dreams, they couldn't imagine... much less understand why Yun Che, facing Long Bai alone, would suddenly commit such an act of self-harm.
And such a vicious self-harm at that!
Long Bai's piercing heart wound had a very small opening and had healed nearly halfway over this long time.
But Yun Che's self-inflicted injury was clearly more severe than Long Bai's... and it was a fresh wound created just now, which would undoubtedly heavily damage his vitality and profound energy.
"Mad... mad, right?" Wanxiang Divine Emperor said.
"Heh, indeed crazy." Huilong Emperor sneered: "Or perhaps, knowing he's going to lose badly, he's using this method to forcibly salvage some dignity? Heh heh heh, the so-called Demon Lord, after all, is just a half-century-old whelp. Truly childish and laughable."
But the five Withered Dragon Venerables all furrowed their brows at this moment.
When Yun Che struck himself, his Divine Sovereign Realm tenth-level profound strength actually released the might of a Divine Lord Realm tenth-level!
Although they had heard Long Bai and the Dragon Gods mention it, witnessing this scene that completely surpassed their understanding with their own eyes, their souls, which had been still for countless years, could not help but stir up towering waves.
"..." Long Bai was silent, a hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth.
The pain of a fist piercing the heart was unimaginable. But Yun Che's face showed not even a trace of distortion. He straightened his bloodstained chest directly, looked calmly at Long Bai, and said slowly: "Now it's about fair... Let's begin."
Boom!
Yun Che's body erupted, his profound energy surging into his right fist, and he charged straight at Long Bai with a storm around him.
The Dragon God bloodline possessed power and a physique that were overwhelmingly strong and domineering, so they disdained weapons and had no need for them... Or rather, their dragon claws were the most suitable powerful weapons for them. Using external objects would only be a burden.
But Yun Che not only severely injured himself but also abandoned his weapon.
Even more absurd, his attack against Long Bai was not his most adept darkness and flame, but a straightforward, unadorned frontal punch.
All his actions were nothing short of digging his own grave.
The seven Dragon Gods all showed mockery on their faces.
The profound energy Yun Che carried was as powerful as the rumors said, definitely entering the Divine Lord Realm tenth level. But to use such pure force to strike the Dragon Emperor's body directly... The subsequent scene was already pre-visualized in their minds.
Facing Yun Che's violent charge, Long Bai did not move at all, his hands still clasped behind his back.
He let Yun Che's fist strike his face.
Boom————
Yun Che's fist heavily slammed into Long Bai's forehead.
There was no darkness, no flames. But this was still peak Divine Lord power. The moment the force erupted, heaven and earth trembled.
But as the dust flew and space shattered, Long Bai's body did not move an inch. Only his head tilted back less than three inches.
A faint layer of white light silently floated on Long Bai's body, between his forehead and Yun Che's fist.
The Western Domain profound practitioners showed mockery and pity. The Northern Domain profound practitioners' hearts almost stopped... This was an utterly despairing scene for them.
"It's that abnormal white light again!" Chi Wuyue murmured.
Long Bai's expression did not change at all, as if the blow to his forehead was not from the Northern Domain Demon Lord but from a powerless child.
His eyes were deep, the cold light indifferent as if looking down on a struggling larva: "Now do you know how ridiculous you are?"
As he spoke, he did not see surprise or panic on Yun Che's face. Instead, an eerie cold smile slowly spread from the corner of Yun Che's mouth.
"Good question."
BOOM!!!
Amid the eerie cold smile, Yun Che's seemingly exhausted power suddenly erupted again, against all logic, and with even greater intensity than before. A slightly pale profound light exploded on Long Bai's forehead!
In that instant, the white light around Long Bai suddenly dissipated. Then, even his protective dragon aura inexplicably shrank.
KABOOM!
With a thunderous roar, Long Bai's forehead caved in like a balloon under the terrifying, overwhelming force. His body was sent spinning backward, crashing into the ground...
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...
As the earth split and shattered, sand and stones flew everywhere, carving a deep trench over thirty miles long in the ground before Long Bai's body finally came to a stop.