# Chapter 1951: Shattered but Unyielding
Cang Shuhe's experiences were, after all, far from ordinary. After a brief moment of turmoil, the ripples in her eyes had completely dissipated, and her voice was extraordinarily calm and peaceful: "Elder Brother, the control of the Canglan Divine Pearl has always been in your hands. If you want it, simply take it."
Although the current Canglan Divine Emperor was Cang Shuhe, and the Canglan Divine Pearl was in her possession.
But it was only in her possession.
After all, Cang Shuhe's Canglan Divine Power had been forcibly merged and inherited through Yun Che's Law of Void. In her own consciousness, she felt unqualified to control the Canglan Divine Pearl.
Although Cang Shitian was no longer the Canglan Divine Emperor, he still bore the strongest Canglan Divine Power, was the greatest protector of the Ten Directions Canglan Realm, and was her most respected and trusted elder brother.
Moreover, when she first succeeded as Canglan Divine Emperor, she was merely a half-puppet forcefully propped up...
With him controlling the Canglan Divine Pearl, Cang Shuhe actually felt more at ease.
Thus, although it was publicly declared that Cang Shitian had withdrawn from the Ten Directions Canglan Realm and Cang Shuhe had taken over everything, in reality, the one who truly held the lifeblood of Canglan had always been Cang Shitian.
Cang Shitian's lips curled sideways, the blood marks and black stains on his face adding a chilling ferocity: "You are my dearest, most beloved sister. How could I use my power on you... unless it is absolutely necessary."
Cang Shuhe: "..."
His outstretched fingers slowly curled inward: "Shuhe, you have always been the gentlest and most obedient. Surely you wouldn't do anything that would make things difficult for me."
"You must be fully aware of Canglan's current situation. Now that I am valued by His Venerable One, only by placing everything in the Canglan Realm back into my hands can Canglan be preserved. You understand this, don't you?"
Behind him, the Sea Gods exchanged glances, their expressions shifting. They wanted to speak but ultimately dared not voice their thoughts.
"Miss," Ruiyi finally spoke softly, "give it back to him. Refusing... is meaningless."
One breath... two breaths... three breaths...
Four breaths of silence. A pure blue light emerged, carrying layers of watery ripples, and landed between Cang Shuhe's jade-like hands, which were purer than ice and snow.
Without a word, Cang Shuhe gently pushed her snow-white hands forward, and the Canglan Divine Pearl floated lightly toward Cang Shitian, falling into his palm, which had been extended in midair.
Cang Shitian caught the Canglan Divine Pearl in his hand, and it immediately blazed with a richer, deeper oceanic divine radiance.
He raised his hand, holding the Canglan Divine Pearl before his eyes. The light-flowing pearl's surface reflected a face covered in bloodstains and scars.
His lips parted, and he laughed. The reflection in the Canglan Divine Pearl became even more hideous and repulsive.
This... is me...
Cang Shitian!
The light faded. Cang Shitian put away the Canglan Divine Pearl, said nothing more to Cang Shuhe, nor did he cast a glance at the assembled Sea Gods and Divine Envoys. He simply turned around, preparing to leave.
"Elder Brother," Cang Shuhe suddenly called out, stopping him.
"Hmm?" Cang Shitian halted but did not turn back.
Taking a deep look at Cang Shitian's back, Cang Shuhe slowly closed her eyes and whispered, "In this world, there are many rules for survival. If it is for the sake of living... nothing is truly wrong."
"So, no matter what happens in the future, Elder Brother, please be sure to always protect yourself and take care."
Her voice was soft and gentle, like still water with faint ripples, stirring the soul.
It was difficult to discern the emotions contained within... but at least, there was no anger, no reproach, no disappointment.
"..." Cang Shitian's neck twitched slightly, as if he wanted to turn his head.
But in the end, he only gave a seemingly indifferent "Mm" sound, then rose into the air, standing beside Qi Tianli.
The Canglan Barrier sealing Yun Wuxin also floated behind him.
Clearly, such an important hostage was not something he felt comfortable leaving in anyone else's care.
At that moment, Qi Tianli raised his head:
"The time has come."
His voice was heavy, like the morning bell and evening drum, causing every anxious heart to suddenly tighten.
For these four short words signaled the opening of a curtain that would overturn the fate of countless star realms and countless living beings.
The already oppressive atmosphere grew several times heavier. Every inch of space seemed frozen solid by soul-piercing cold.
Qi Tianli stepped through the void, moving forward, and quietly exhaled before emitting the solemn voice of a Qilin:
"As you all know, the world we inhabit is about to welcome a new master, a new destiny. That place is called the 'Abyss,' a mighty realm, and its supreme ruler bears the sacred name of Yuan Huang."
"A higher plane, a more powerful ruler, will lead us toward an entirely different path of fate."
"And His Venerable One is a pioneer from the Abyss, dispatched by the command of Yuan Huang. He possesses a power beyond our comprehension and a noble soul. And that Yuan Huang, like a divine being of the nine heavens, is a ruler of kindness and compassion. Under his guidance, the Abyss has enjoyed peace for countless ages. In the future, he will surely lead us into a realm we once dared not even dream of."
Qi Tianli's aged eyes, steeped in the vicissitudes of time, swept across the former rulers of this world, and his voice grew even heavier:
"Submit to the dominion of the Abyss, or cling to your former will. Today is the moment to make your choice."
"However, I believe this is not a difficult choice. When the vast ocean overturns, only by drifting with the current can one find safety. Only then will you know whether you will be drawn into a whirlpool or step onto new ground."
"If you stubbornly swim against the current, you will only be shattered."
Qi Tianli was trying in his own way to persuade everyone not to make futile struggles. But his words drew a cold snort from Mo Beichen.
"Enough nonsense." The Qilin's voice was instantly erased, replaced by a judgmental tone that made souls tremble: "Those who submit to the Abyss shall live. Those who are foolish shall die!"
Mo Beichen's gaze stabbed downward, his terrifying divine might pressing heavily on every heart and soul: "This is the opportunity I graciously grant you to submit and pledge loyalty to the Abyss! But I would rather like to see how many pitiful fools this lowly world holds!"
Qi Tianli respectfully bowed, listening to Mo Beichen's words, then said with a ceremonial gesture: "We are deeply grateful for His Venerable One's grace. In that case, let today's ceremony begin with the Western Domain."
Having said this, he was about to descend before the Qilin Realm, preparing to lead the Qilin Realm in being the first to swear submission to the Abyss, pledge loyalty to Yuan Huang, and thereafter devote all efforts to unifying the wills of the various realms and diligently prepare the ceremony to welcome Yuan Huang's divine descent.
"No," came a faint word, freezing Qi Tianli in place. Mo Beichen's cold, indifferent pupils shifted toward the north: "Let it start with the Northern Domain. I imagine it will be far more interesting."
"..." For a moment, no one dared to speak. Qi Tianli remained frozen there.
The Northern Divine Realm had sent the fewest people, but their aura was the most chilling.
The occasional gleam in their eyes was icy and piercing to the bone.
Even though they were standing under Mo Beichen's demigod aura.
And all of this clearly proved that the people from the Northern Divine Realm—including the Three King Realms—had no intention of submitting. Instead, they were all carrying the fierce determination of those ready to die.
Those who had not come from the Northern Domain, who had not been imprisoned in darkness, who had not followed the Demon Lord's rebirth into the light... they could not understand the loyalty of Northern Domain cultivators toward Yun Che.
"Yes," Qi Tianli finally responded. "I shall follow His Venerable One's will."
He shifted his position and turned his gaze, speaking as calmly as possible: "The Cloud Emperor and the Demon Empress have both fled in defeat. Even if they have not yet fallen, they will never see the light of day again. You of the Northern Domain now have a new choice. This choice concerns not only your lives but also the future of the Northern Domain. Please be sure to..."
"A new choice?"
A sharp voice cut through Qi Tianli's words. Yan Wu's demonic eyes lifted, her long black hair slowly dancing in the faint demonic light: "Our Northern Domain has only one lord: the Demon Lord Yun Che! This resolve and this conviction shall never change, for all eternity!"
"The Abyss? Mo Beichen? They are not worthy!"
Every word was filled with icy ferocity and ruthless determination, but there was not a trace of fear.
Cultivators from the other three domains either held their breath in silence or sighed softly.
Those who follow live; those who resist die.
Yan Wu's words had already sealed her death for today.
The most foolish thing in this world is to throw away one's life for absolutely no purpose.
Even if there were the faintest, tiniest glimmer of hope, their resistance unto death would have been moving.
But Mo Beichen's terror was like a night with no end in sight. There was not even the slightest possibility of touching the dawn. Such resistance could only result in pointless death... pure foolishness.
Before the Yan Mo's voice had even faded, all the Yan Mo had gathered by her side. No longer needing to suppress it, the Yan Mo aura surged forth in a tragically stirring wave.
They knew that this would be the last time in their lives they would shine with the pride of the Yan Mo.
Mo Beichen did not move, his expression unchanged. Only in the depths of his pupils was there a hint of mockery and pity.
It was like watching a group of pitiful larvae boasting about their pathetic pride.
He had anticipated this, but the weight in his heart remained suffocating. Qi Tianli dared not meet Yan Wu's gaze for a moment, and his voice carried a note of sigh: "Jiehun and Fenyue, what are your wills?"
"Heh," Fen Daoqi let out a faint laugh, his voice as calm as a chilly wind: "You are well aware of the fate of our Northern Divine Realm over the past million years."
"It was the Demon Lord who led us out of the cage, allowing us to stand proudly as humans beneath the heavens, instead of crawling like imprisoned beasts in the dark mire!"
"Though it has been only a few short years," Fen Daoqi's body shimmered with black light, and his eyes reflected a dark, demonic moon, "it is enough for us to repay him with ten thousand deaths!"
"Ten thousand deaths to repay the Demon Lord!" the Moon Devourers behind him roared in unison.
Back then, they had followed Yun Che as he descended upon the Zhou Tian God Realm. That was the true beginning of the Northern Divine Realm trampling the Eastern Divine Realm and sweeping across the God Realm. It was a supreme glory etched into their bodies and souls for a lifetime.
Untouchable by any stain!
Clang!
The Jiexin and Jieling swords were drawn, pointing straight upward. The auras and wills of the Nine Demonesses were fully connected at that moment.
"Our Jiehun Realm would rather have its blood and bones utterly destroyed than kneel to anyone!"
Mo Beichen shifted his gaze slightly, not toward the Northern Domain, but casually glancing eastward, a faint, playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Alas," the Qilin Emperor sighed heavily, "it was not easy for the Northern Domain to regain its rebirth. Why must you..."
"You have your choice, and we have our will," Fen Daoqi said coldly, glaring at the Qilin Emperor. "Different paths, no common goals!"
"If the Abyss wishes to rule our Northern Divine Realm, it must first step over our demon blood!"
The Qilin Emperor slowly closed his eyes: "In that case, this old man has nothing more to say."
He shifted his gaze further back: "Realm Kings of the Northern Domain, you..."
"Enough nonsense, you old Qilin without a spine!"
From the rear of the Northern Domain came the scolding shouts of a Northern Domain Divine Lord: "The will of the Three King Realms is our will! Even if our demon blood is completely drained, we will never betray our Demon Lord!"
Qi Tianli, scolded so loudly, showed no anger or resentment. He sighed again and was about to speak further when a haunting demonic voice suddenly resonated in the depths of his soul:
"You do not wish to betray your Demon Lord, but your Demon Lord has already abandoned you."
Before the figure arrived, the voice had already pierced the soul. Such a demonic voice was unmatched in the world.
Chi Wuyue!
From the soul to the ears, as the voice reached close, Chi Wuyue's figure also appeared in everyone's sight.
"Demon... Empress!?"
Her arrival caused all the Northern Domain cultivators to change color.
She should have fled far away together with Yun Che... Why would she willingly appear here of all places?
And what she had just said...
Chi Wuyue stood in the void, her demonic eyes gazing down with pride. As the Demon Empress who had governed the four divine realms in recent years, even under these circumstances, she still exuded a demonic might that made many Divine Lords dare not raise their heads to meet her gaze.
She had not come alone. By her side were Mu Xuanyin, Qianye Ying'er, and Cai Zhi.
"Empress!" From the east, all the Fan Kings of the Fan Di God Realm shouted in alarm.
But Qianye Ying'er paid them no heed. Her golden eyes, dark within, pierced straight at Mo Beichen.
"Heh heh heh heh." Mo Beichen smiled, a look of interest faintly curling on his face: "Have you come willingly to show that you have finally learned some sense? Or do you wish to display your foolishness even more thoroughly?"
The atmosphere of the Tai Chu Divine Realm began to stir. The Demon Empress, Mu Xuanyin, Qianye Ying'er, Cai Zhi... they were all the most important people by Yun Che's side. For them to willingly appear here at this moment—why?
Chi Wuyue faced Mo Beichen directly, about to speak, when Yan Wu's trembling voice came from below: "Demon Empress... what did you just say?"
The demonic gaze turned downward, and Chi Wuyue repeated in an extremely flat, cold voice: "The Demon Lord has already abandoned you."
"Abandoned us... what does that mean?" Yan Wu shook her head blankly, confused.
"Exactly what it means on the surface," Chi Wuyue continued. "When the heavens collapse, he will choose to temporarily flee beyond the heavens. Everything in this world is no longer of his concern, including you."
"In other words, you no longer have a Demon Lord. Without a Demon Lord, the will you uphold is also meaningless."
She raised her gaze to Mo Beichen, her demonic light stirring her black dress, carrying faint, dark soul notes: "Those who submit live; those who defy die. Mo Beichen, that is the promise you have granted to this world."
"These Northern Domain cultivators have spoken in great offense, but they have not yet committed defiance. If they correct their will in time and submit to the Abyss, I imagine you would graciously accept them."
"After all," she said with a faint smile, her enchanting voice coiling around the soul, "you claim to be a noble-minded Abyss Knight, the sole pioneer representing the Abyss's dignity. Surely you would not debase yourself by breaking your promise and making the title 'Abyss Knight' a laughingstock, would you?"
Mo Beichen raised his arm halfway, his fingers slowly curling: "Are you teaching me how to do things?"
"Demon Empress!"
Yan Wu's voice rang out again, but this time there was no trembling or confusion. It had returned to its former firmness and ruthlessness: "I understand your intentions..."
Everyone instantly understood the Demon Empress's intention.
She wanted to spare the Northern Divine Realm as much as possible, to prevent them from dying pointlessly.
But...
"But this time," Yan Wu's demonic eyes solidified, the first time she had faced the Northern Domain Demon Empress with such a gaze, "we respectfully decline!"
"Demon Empress, we all understand your good intentions," Fen Daoqi also spoke peacefully. "The orders of the Demon Lord and Demon Empress have always been an unbreakable and unquestionable supreme mandate to us of the Burning Moon. However, this time, the Burning Moon must stand together with the Yan Mo... and defy the order."
"...Sigh." Chi Wuyue let out a soft sigh, seemingly not too surprised by this response. "To live may still hold a future worth hoping for. It is better than dying in vain."
"No, even if we are shattered to pieces and cannot harm the enemy a single hair, we will not have died in vain."
Fen Daoqi smiled. Death was right before his eyes, within reach, yet his smile was so fearless and without regret: "Our Demon Lord has only been emperor for three short years, and the divine realm he governs has already encountered this calamity from beyond the heavens."
"The people he valued, trusted, forgave, ruled..." Fen Daoqi's gaze slowly moved, sweeping past Qi Tianli, past Cang Shitian, past the Divine Emperors and Divine Lords who involuntarily averted their eyes, "one by one, group by group, they defected and turned their backs."
"If even we bow our heads and submit, then in future records of 'Cloud Emperor,' there will surely be engraved the evil mark of 'pitiful' or even 'laughable.'"
At this point, every word from Fen Daoqi was filled with a determination that no will could shake: "If the era of the Demon Lord is destined to end, then at the very least, let our demon blood dye the final curtain for the Demon Lord!"
"..." The words were not heavy, but every one struck the soul. The cultivators present were all deeply moved.
They were not choosing to die in vain. They were willingly using their lives and strength to protect the final dignity of the Cloud Emperor—their Demon Lord.
This was a will they could not understand, a loyalty they would never be able to obtain even if they prayed for it for eternity.
Clang!
The Yan Mo spear rang out, pointing straight to the sky. On Yan Wu's body, the fierce, dancing shadow of the Yan Mo emerged: "My father fell at Canglan for the rebirth of the Northern Domain. The three ancestors returned to eternal demon dust to protect the Demon Lord. As the daughter of the Yan Mo, if I were to betray the Demon Lord for mere survival, how could I face my father and ancestors in the underworld!"
Demonic light flashed explosively. All the Yan Mo manifested their Yan Mo shadows, spreading a vast, dark demon domain across this silent, oppressive Tai Chu land.
Reflected in the demonic light were faces filled with the determination to die without regret.
Countless gazes collided and shifted chaotically. For the Divine Lords of the Three Divine Realms, their emotions had probably never been so shaken and complex.
"Ah, my," Qianye Ying'er sighed softly, "I wish he could see this scene with his own eyes."
The demonic light on her body still swayed slowly, but at this moment, a faint, enchanting smile curled at the corner of Chi Wuyue's mouth.
"I have never been as proud and without regret to have been born in the once-dark Northern Domain as I am at this moment."
The demonic silk appeared, coiling around her jade arm. As it danced, it unleashed the dark demonic might that left no room for reservation and no path of retreat.
"Children of darkness, let us fight side by side one last time."
"This battle is not for the Northern Domain, not for our clans—only for the Demon Lord!"