Chapter 1879: The Coronation Ceremony (Part 2)
Across the various domains of the Divine Realm, the winds and clouds roiled. From the upper star realms to the lower star realms, almost every living being could clearly sense that even the flow of the air had become exceedingly abnormal.
The Coronation Ceremony would only occur upon the succession of a Realm King Divine Emperor, and each time it was a major event that shook the entire Divine Realm, inevitably accompanied by an immense spectacle. After all, the grandeur of a Divine Emperor was meant to tower above the world, matching the heavens.
But this Coronation Ceremony was completely different from any other in the history of the Divine Realm. For it was not the coronation of a Realm King Divine Emperor, but the coronation of an emperor over the entire Divine Realm, over the whole of heaven and earth.
A true unparalleled emperor, truly unprecedented and never to be repeated.
However, this unprecedented Coronation Ceremony issued no invitations whatsoever, nor did it announce it to the world. News of it merely spread by word of mouth between the various star realms.
Yet, the shockwaves it sent through every star realm surpassed all others in history. Especially the upper realm kings, who firmly memorized the time and location of the Coronation Ceremony, and began preparations early on. Almost every realm exerted their utmost mental and physical efforts, not daring the slightest negligence.
Because this Coronation Ceremony would establish not only the first emperor in the history of the Divine Realm but also a great turning point in the fate of the Divine Realm. Although there were no invitations, their attitude toward this ceremony would undoubtedly determine the new emperor's attitude toward them and directly decide their fate under the new order.
As for the middle star realms and the lower star realms... no one truly cared about the attitudes of the weak.
When all the surviving Realm Kings in the Divine Realm had bowed their heads to the Demon Lord, the upper star realms were left with only one choice.
As the time drew near, the turbulence in the Divine Realm's aura intensified. One mystical ship and mystical ark after another sped at full force toward the Southern Divine Realm.
…………
This place was once the heart of the Southern Divine Realm, the location of the Southern Domain's first Realm King realm, the Nanming Divine Realm.
But now, there was no longer any Nanming in the Divine Realm. The former Nanming royal city had been razed to the ground. Apart from the lingering spiritual energy, almost no trace of Nanming remained.
On this former soil of Nanming, countless mystical ships and mystical arks were now scattered like stars on a chessboard, stretching beyond the horizon. Beside each mystical ark or mystical ship stood groups of silhouettes.
They were dressed in various styles, their auras all quite formidable. Each person looked up toward the high sky, their expressions filled with reverence, trepidation, and an indescribable complexity.
The focal point of their gazes was a floating city over three hundred li in size.
Qiankun Dragon City!
But the beings of the Divine Realm knew it as "Emperor Cloud City"!
It was the supreme divine city that would tower at the pinnacle of the Divine Realm from this day's ceremony onward!
Everyone knew that Yun Che's starting point in the Divine Realm was the Eastern Divine Realm, and he undoubtedly had the deepest feelings for it. Yet his imperial city and imperial palace were unexpectedly established in the Southern Divine Realm.
But no one in the current world dared to speculate on the Demon Lord's intentions.
Those who had arrived were either realm kings of a realm or overlords of a region, all possessed of noble status and formidable power. But they could only look up from afar, not daring to approach the Emperor Cloud City even by half a step, let alone set foot on it.
Because only Northern Domain Xuan practitioners and the Realm King realms of the three domains could set foot on the Emperor Cloud City. Below the Realm King realms, even the upper star realms were only fit to dwell below and look up.
Above the Emperor Cloud City, a light white glow covered it, exuding a cold and solemn majesty.
To the south stood the Xuanyuan Realm, the Ziwei Realm, and the Ten Directions Canglan Realm led by Cang Shitian and Cang Shuhong.
To the west were the core forces of the Qilin Realm and the Azure Dragon Realm, but the Huilong, Wanxiang, and Di Chi realms, once also Realm King realms, were nowhere to be seen. As for the Dragon God Realm, its proud realm name of a million years had been erased, and it was personally bestowed the name "Sin Dragon Realm" by Chi Wuyue.
To the east was the Fan Di God Realm led by Qianye Ying'er, while another star realm was rather special...
Yin Xue Realm.
Mu Xuanyin and Mu Bingyun stood in front, while the Yin Xue elders and palace masters behind them had wandering gazes, looking ill at ease.
But there was no sign of Cai Zhi... the Star God Realm existed in name only, and even its "name" was forcibly preserved because of Yun Che.
The death of the Six Star Gods had deeply touched her, stirring a determination to revive the glory of the Star God Realm... but she did not want or need to rely on today.
The northern formation was far more imposing. Yan Mo, Fen Yue, Jie Hun, and the many Northern Domain star realms that participated in the rebellion against fate had all gathered here. They looked down freely at the people of the three realms who could only gaze from afar, and basked freely in the bright sky and sunlight, now without any fear.
Gazes constantly turned toward the direction of the imperial palace. Every moment's glance carried endless excitement and burning heat... Even though the final battle had passed half a year ago, for the Northern Domain Xuan practitioners, it still felt like a dream.
"Finally, this day has come." Chi Wuyue murmured softly, her demonic eyes misty. She had no regrets in her life.
"Finally, this day has come." Mu Xuanyin murmured almost the same words at the same time.
"Is Lan Ji Star... truly still safe?" Mu Bingyun muttered in a very soft voice, looking ahead.
"Mm, that is also why he set his imperial city here." Mu Xuanyin said. "It has been hard for him to endure until now."
"Bearing a heavenly gift, yet spending half his life treading on thin ice, retreating again and again, but still being forced into the abyss... Now everything is within his grasp, with no immediate dangers or distant troubles. After today, he can finally live his life as he pleases, without worries or fears."
Mu Bingyun smiled lightly. "Big sister can finally stop worrying every day."
Hearing Mu Bingyun's half-teasing words, Mu Xuanyin slowly raised her head, gazing at the pale sky and murmuring, "Having severed the Dragon God lineage, there is no longer anything in this world that could pose a threat to him."
"There are some regrets that can never be mended, but surely... there will be no more dangers or calamities..."
Even if a tiny possibility arose in the future, she would eradicate it before it could show its face.
…………
Beneath the many halls of the Emperor Cloud City, there was a dim, silent, and gloomy underground space.
Tap... tap... tap...
The not-so-heavy footsteps were exceptionally jarring and startling in this gloomy space.
Clink... clatter...
As the footsteps approached, they stirred up a weak rustling of chains.
Under the faint light, Zhou Xuzi slowly raised his head. Such a simple action was excruciatingly painful and difficult for him.
His raised eyes were murky, like a dead pool. Only when they caught sight of the approaching figure did they tremble slightly for an instant.
His body was covered in bloodstains, his face like a vengeful ghost, his frame skeletal... Anyone who saw him would never believe that he was once the Zhou Tian Divine Emperor, revered and respected by all living beings in the Divine Realm.
All his bones were shattered, all his meridians severed, his profound aura completely dispersed. Yet a few lingering strands of aura clung to his bones, cruelly keeping his life force hanging on, making it impossible for him to seek death.
A few ordinary chains wrapped around his body were enough to bury this former Divine Emperor into a nightmare purgatory from which he could not escape.
"Yun... Che..."
Without profound power, his murky eyes could not pierce the darkness, but that aura etched into his bones he would never forget, even in death.
His weak voice was pained and hoarse. His body began to tremble, causing the chains to clatter chaotically. But getting up, or even raising his arm, was a luxury.
"Zhou Xuzi, do you know why you are still alive?"
Yun Che's voice was low and slow, devoid of any emotion. But even though Zhou Xuzi had fallen to this state, it did not mean his hatred for him had weakened.
Even though he had reclaimed everything, even if he subjected Zhou Xuzi to ten million times more cruel torture, he would never again touch the figure of Mo Li in his life.
"You... will surely... suffer divine retribution!"
Having fallen to this place, he no longer sought Yun Che's forgiveness or begged for death. He only used all his strength to roar out a curse.
"Divine retribution? Heh heh heh..." Yun Che let out a contemptuous low laugh. "If Jie Tian Mo Di had not left, even the Heavenly Dao would have collapsed. Is it even worthy of retributing me!?"
Zhou Xuzi's face muscles twitched, his voice full of hatred and resentment: "You... demon... one day... will surely... be... bloodily executed!!"
"Demon? Hmph, with the blood on my hands and the calamities I have brought, how could the mere word 'demon' be worthy of me?" Yun Che lowered his brows. "The word 'Devil God' seems about right."
He took another step forward, the heavy and gloomy oppressive force nearly crushing Zhou Xuzi's already broken body. "Zhou Xuzi, guess, who forced this Devil God to come into being? Let me venture a guess first — you definitely don't think all of this is your fault, do you?"
Zhou Xuzi lifted his eyes and suddenly roared: "I am not wrong... what fault do I have! My only fault was... in those years, I was blind... and did not eliminate you, this demon, earlier!"
"As expected of the former Zhou Tian Divine Emperor. Even having fallen to such a pitiful state, you still speak with such grand righteousness and sanctimony."
Yun Che smiled, a smile of ridicule and pity. He slightly raised his head and said slowly and unhurriedly: "Not long ago, while sweeping the Eastern Divine Realm, a rather interesting discovery was made at the Tianji Realm."
"The Tianji Realm, its beings scattered, has become an empty realm. The Three Elders of Tianji sat and expired themselves, and the Tianji Divine Scripture shattered. But one page fragment was miraculously preserved intact, engraved with a very interesting twelve characters."
"'If good, the heavens shall be eternally at peace; if cruel, the Devil God shall slaughter the world.'"
Clang!
Zhou Xuzi's entire body shook violently, causing the chains to grind harshly.
"The world says the prophecies of the Tianji Realm have never missed. They do have some merit indeed." Yun Che glanced sideways at Zhou Xuzi's suddenly contorted and trembling face. "During those three years away from the Divine Realm, I was once sunk in gloom, unable to extricate myself, then suddenly the clouds parted. Because in the darkness, I found someone I had lost, and obtained the most important treasure of my life — something that made all the suffering and gloom I had ever experienced seem insignificant."
Yun Che raised his head, his voice light: "At that time, how intensely I thanked the heavens for their gift. The hatred and resentment of the past no longer seemed so important. I even loathed the filth and blood that once stained my hands."
"Later, the Demon Emperor returned to the world, and the heavens and earth were shrouded in crimson calamity. At that time, I considered it my bounden duty to save the world, hoping to erase the sins I had previously committed, and even more hoping that such merits of saving the world would bring blessings to the people around me — especially my daughter — to protect her for life."
"Heh, heh heh heh..." Yun Che laughed, his laughter extremely cold and mocking. "How virtuous and great I was back then, practically a saint who took saving the world as her mission."
"If none of what followed had happened, I would have stayed peacefully in the lower realms, not staining myself with any more sins, and could even let go of many hatreds. Because I really did not want to embrace my daughter with blood-stained hands... If the Divine Realm needed me, I would likely have done my utmost. If I could not, I could borrow Mo Li's power."
"'If good, the heavens shall be eternally at peace.' Indeed. Once a person becomes a parent, they suddenly start believing things that used to seem absurd and laughable. For instance, at that time, I was so willing to believe that every good deed I did would surely be repaid as blessings upon my daughter. At that time, having no regrets, I also wished more than anyone that after enduring the crimson calamity, this world would be eternally peaceful."
"Unfortunately, one person destroyed all of that." Yun Che's voice turned sinister. "He destroyed all my beauty, all my good intentions, and nearly destroyed the entire Divine Realm."
"No! Not me! I am not wrong... I am not wrong!!" Though Zhou Xuzi was extremely weak, he let out a hysterical roar at this moment. His heart and soul, already like dead ash, projected a chaotic distortion in his dull pupils.
Yun Che's tone remained faint, but every cold word silently cut and twisted Zhou Xuzi's already broken soul: "Because of your palm back then, I turned from a good man seeking peace at heart into a Devil God who wanted to bloodily slaughter the heavens. Because of your palm, countless star realms in the Divine Realm collapsed, and countless Xuan practitioners died horribly... Because of your palm, the Zhou Tian Realm was bloodily slaughtered, your clan, your descendants, and you..."
"Shut up! Shut up!" A roar like a vengeful ghost's howling sounded. Zhou Xuzi's whole body shook, every word spitting blood: "What I did back then was to eliminate the calamity of the evil infant, for the sake of the common people under heaven! It was this demon — you! — who brought calamity and killed them! You!"
Yun Che gave a faint laugh and continued slowly: "I promised back then to return to the lower realms with Mo Li, pledging never to disturb each other. Before the Crimson Rift appeared, if not for Mo Li's intervention, the Divine Realm would have fallen into eternal calamity. And your palm not only betrayed that trust, it was also biting the hand that fed you."
"Mo Li and I were the ones who saved the common people. And you, with one palm, sent Mo Li flying out of Chaos, then pursued me with all your might. You claim it was for the sake of the common people under heaven?" Yun Che glanced sideways indifferently. "Zhou Xuzi, even a mad dog that has lost its mind could not produce such absurd and laughable barking."
"You..."
"That forcibly self-righteous 'benevolent heart' of yours originally intended to bestow 'forgiveness' upon me. Then your attitude suddenly changed drastically, and you spared no effort to mobilize all forces, becoming the one most eager to put me to death. I guess this change came after you saw the prophecy of the Tianji Realm. You were afraid the prophecy would come true, that you would become the eternal sinner who forced a saint into a Devil God. So you began to do everything possible to eliminate me as early as possible."
"What a pretense of sullying yourself for the world, what common people under heaven... It is nothing but a filthy old dog who claims greatness but is actually desperately trying to cover up his own sins!"
"Yun... Che..." Despite his broken teeth, Zhou Xuzi's mouth still emitted chaotic, gritting sounds: "Even if I have fallen to this place, you cannot defile me..."
"But you have seen the result," the cold tone overrode Zhou Xuzi's voice. Yun Che continued: "Two saviors of the world — one was knocked out of Chaos by you, the other was forced into a Devil God by you. The three Divine Realms have become mountains of corpses and rivers of blood because of you, every living being in fear."
"As for the Zhou Tian Realm, its inheritance of hundreds of thousands of years has been destroyed by your hands. Oh, not just the inheritance — its reputation and prestige from those hundreds of thousands of years, including the lifelong fame of its founding ancestor, have all been destroyed."
"And who caused all of this..." Yun Che's dark pupils swept over Zhou Xuzi's aged face. "Zhou Xuzi, who do you think it was?"
Clatter clatter clatter...
The chains let out a trembling wail. Zhou Xuzi's body shook so hard it seemed about to fall apart. He suddenly opened his mouth, blood foam spraying with his roar: "It was you! It was all you, this demon! I am not wrong! Everything I did was for... ugh!"
Yun Che tilted his finger, and Zhou Xuzi's voice was suddenly blocked back into his throat, only blood foam continuing to spurt out: "No need to be so impatient. Your life is still long, and you will have plenty of time each day to deceive yourself into thinking you are innocent and blameless. But who cares?"
Yun Che's face slowly turned, a dark, sinister faint smile on it: "Now, who in this world does not know that you, Zhou Xuzi, are the number one hypocrite in the Divine Realm, the greatest sinner in the history of the Divine Realm? How many of those who have suffered calamities wish they could eat your flesh and drink your blood."
"You should thank me properly for being able to lie here like a broken-boned old dog. Because if I threw you out alive, you would instantly be drowned by the spittle of the world. Your flesh, and even your bones, would be torn and gnawed until not a scrap remained."
"And if you die, in the underworld, your father, your grandfather, your ancestors, and your descendants... guess how they will treat you, the sinner who has destroyed everything of the Zhou Tian Divine Realm? I wonder if all the tortures of the nine nether hells can vent their hatred?"
Silence... Zhou Xuzi's body slowly slumped, then he let out a floating, trembling voice: "No... don't say anymore... I am not wrong... I am not wrong... don't say anymore... don't say anymore..."
Yun Che waved his hand, and a small profound formation in front of him suddenly lit up, spreading a clear projection before Zhou Xuzi.
The sudden light harshly stabbed Zhou Xuzi's dull pupils. In the projection, the various Realm King realms stood still with heads bowed, waiting reverently. Far below, a boundless tide of humanity looked up at the floating city. Even through the projection, one could perceive the endless awe.
"The Divine Realm I saved, the Divine Realm that took everything from me, is only fit to become a lightless hell." Yun Che slowly murmured. "This is the oath I made back in the Northern Domain."
"But as you can see, that oath has been voided. Those who were kind to me, useful to me, obedient to me, I have all forgiven."
Yun Che smiled faintly. "Because before Jie Tian Mo Di left, she left behind her Cosmic Thorn. So, the Lan Ji Star that was destroyed back then... was a fake."
Zhou Xuzi, whose consciousness had already scattered and was on the verge of collapse, suddenly raised his head... like a dying insect pierced by ten thousand arrows.
"So, my homeland, my family, my beloved ones — they are all safe and sound. I will also step onto the world as emperor... And you?"
Zhou Xuzi was stunned. After a long while, he suddenly lunged forward, his features contorting. The chaotic clanking of chains mixed with mad screaming: "Ah... ah ah... ah... ah ah ah ah..."
This sound was utterly inhuman, expressing unspeakable pain, despair, hatred, and collapse. His pupils were bloodshot, nearly bursting. Apart from the screaming of a desperate beast, he could not manage a single complete syllable.
Yun Che turned, walked through the projection profound formation, and slowly paced away, his cold voice drifting:
"I never intended to become a demon, but the heavens forced me. Zhou Xuzi, use your filthy, sinful eyes to watch carefully how I will tread this world under my feet."
"By the way, I did not slaughter all your bloodline. Your son Zhou Qingfeng, who remained in the Dragon God Realm, is still alive, and living very well. As well as you."
"As for his life or death, it is not in my hands, but in yours. As long as you live, he lives."
"So, will you try to die for his sake, or will you continue to live a fate worse than death for his sake? I look forward to it."
Yun Che's voice gradually faded. In response, only the increasingly despairing, blood-choked screams...
"Ah ah ah... ah ah ah... ah ah ah ah..."
The great doors of the imperial palace slowly opened. The not-heavy sound instantly drew the entire world into silence, and every living being held their breath.
A figure stepped out slowly, treading on the red carpet beneath his feet, and also stepping onto the heads of the countless living beings of heaven and earth.
A golden crown, white robes, black sash, green jade tassels, crimson demon markings, a white glow shrouding him, demonic light spilling from his eyes...
Holding darkness, yet proudly standing in the bright light. In the eyes of countless shrinking, trembling pupils, he seemed to stand at the pinnacle and center of the world. Beneath his feet was not only the trembling living beings of the world but also all former knowledge and laws.
Boom!
Bang!!
Profound energy exploded. With the heavy thud of countless knees hitting the ground, a near-soul-shaking resonance arose.
"Welcome the Demon Lord!"
The Divine Emperors of the various domains knelt together, bowing their heads in salute. Such a scene had never occurred since ancient times. The impact it brought was so shocking that no words in any known language could describe it.
All the emperors knelt. A heavy pressure, unbearable to both body and soul, descended from the heavens.
Below the Emperor Cloud City, the upper realm kings and Xuan practitioners of the various domains felt their bodies and souls trembling as if weighed down by a myriad of pounds. Their bodies knelt before their wills, their heads deeply bowed, not daring to lift them for a long time.