Chapter 584: Yun Che's Doubts
The Yun family members walked out of the Yaohuang Palace. The Fourth Elder personally carried Yun Canghai's remains, his steps slow and careful, while the Yun family clustered around him, each face bearing a solemn expression. When they entered the Yaohuang Palace, they had been watched by everyone; when they walked out, they were still watched by almost everyone, but the color of those gazes had become completely different.
"Brother Yun, tomorrow evening, Su will visit with Clan Head Yan," Su Xiangnan transmitted to Yun Qinghong.
Yun Qinghong nodded slightly in the direction of Su Xiangnan and Yan Zijing. He knew perfectly well what the other party wanted to discuss.
"Che'er, what are you thinking about?" Yun Qinghong turned his head and asked Yun Che. After walking out of the Yaohuang Palace, Yun Che had been frowning slightly, clearly pondering something.
Yun Che slightly raised his head and said, "I'm wondering why Xiao Yaohou suddenly stopped the ceremony and left directly. If it's merely to use the Demon Emperor Seal to pay respects to the Former Demon Emperor... it feels like something doesn't add up."
Yun Qinghong smiled faintly. "Your father also finds it somewhat surprising, but Xiao Yaohou is absolutely not someone who fails to distinguish between important and trivial matters. She must have her reasons, but since she doesn't want others to know, there's no need to delve deeper."
Yun Che slowly nodded, then suddenly asked, "Father, I heard from Xiao Yun that the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley opens once every five years. Is its opening ultimately decided by the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley itself, or by the Demon Emperor Clan?"
"Of course the former," Yun Qinghong said. "At the entrance of the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley, there is a massive flame seal. This seal wasn't set up by the Illusion Demon Royal Clan; it was placed by the Golden Crow Divine Spirit after the Primordial Demon Emperor received the Golden Crow inheritance. No one can forcibly break it. This seal automatically disappears for twelve shichen every five years. At that time, it is when the Illusion Demon Royal Clan and the Guardian Clans enter for training. After twelve shichen, the seal reappears, and at the same time, everyone inside the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley is expelled... unless they die inside."
"I see." Yun Che nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked again, "In other words, aside from the seal automatically disappearing at a fixed time, there is no other way to enter the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley? Not even for those from the Demon Emperor lineage?"
Yun Qinghong nodded again. "Indeed. Inside the valley are fire spirits, lightning spirits, and rare treasures. Those who enter will gain quite substantial rewards, but if they take resources without restraint, they will damage its thunder and fire source power. The five-year closure after each opening is for the regeneration of the fire spirits, lightning spirits, and treasures. No one can enter during the closure period. At least in the past hundred-plus years, your father has never heard of anyone entering the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley during the closed period."
"Oh..." Yun Che raised a hand to support his chin, but the doubt between his brows only grew heavier. Earlier in the Yaohuang Palace, everyone only saw his forceful demeanor, his strength sweeping through the crowd, and his unrestrained cursing of the Huai Wang faction. But in truth, only he himself knew that ever since entering Yaohuang City, he had been cautious and alarmed with every step. Especially today, having completely offended many powerful figures and forces, he had to be extremely careful, not daring to overlook any blind spots or doubts.
He was silent for a long time, still having no clue, so he temporarily stopped thinking too much. He patted Xiao Yun on the shoulder and said with a chuckle, "Xiao Yun, you are now the awe-inspiring Xiao Wang! In the entire history of the Huan Yao Realm, after our grandfather, you are the second person to be enfeoffed as a king. How do you feel now?"
Xiao Yun's steps as he walked out of the Yaohuang Palace had been light and airy the whole time, and even now he felt like he was in a dream. Upon hearing Yun Che's words, he paused in his steps and said somewhat flusteredly, "Well, this... this is all actually big brother's credit. I... I don't really know what to do."
"Haha," Yun Che laughed once. "You don't have to worry about that. Once your enfeoffment ceremony is over, you'll naturally know what to do." Then he lowered his voice and said with a smile, "After you're enfeoffed as king, your status will be even a bit higher than your seventh sister's father. Naturally, there won't be any obstacles for you and your seventh sister anymore."
"Hehe." Xiao Yun chuckled a bit sheepishly, then quickly restrained his smile and said worriedly, "Big brother, Huai Wang is a very terrifying person. He must have completely harbored a grudge against you today, along with the Helian and the other seven families. I'm afraid they will look for an opportunity to strike at you..."
"Brother Yun!"
At that moment, a clear young girl's voice came from behind. Xiao Yun swiftly turned around and immediately saw Tianxia Diqi running over. Behind her were the Tianxia clan members with varied expressions, and the six Tianxia brothers.
"Seventh sister!" Xiao Yun called out, standing there excited and nervous. Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou also stopped and smiled as they watched them.
"Brother Yun, you're now Xiao Wang! That's amazing... congratulations!" Tianxia Diqi almost skipped over to Xiao Yun, her face full of joy and delight. In the past, with her father present, she wouldn't even dare to greet Xiao Yun. Before the ceremony began, when the Tianxia clan passed by the Yun family seats, she couldn't even exchange a single word with Xiao Yun. But now, with the Yun family's prestige and fate completely overturned, and Xiao Yun's background revealed and him being enfeoffed as Xiao Wang, the situation was naturally completely different.
"Ahem!" Tianxia Xiongtu put on a stern face, glared fiercely at Xiao Yun, and then ignored him entirely, but he didn't pull Tianxia Diqi back either. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Yun Che for a long time, then said to Yun Qinghong with deep emotion, "Brother Yun, this son of yours is truly extraordinary... He's stronger than all six of my sons combined."
Tianxia Xiongtu's words made the six Tianxia brothers grin wryly. Yun Qinghong smiled and said, "Brother Tianxia, you flatter me." A short sentence, but without excessive modesty. Because the greatest pride of his life came from his son; how could he be willing to deny it with humble words?
Meeting Yun Che today, Tianxia Xiongtu was truly filled with myriad emotions. Previously, he had strongly opposed his daughter's relationship with the Yun family's young master Yun Xiao. A small reason was the Yun family's decline, but the biggest reason was the possibility that Yun Xiao came from the Tian Xuan Continent. Now that the true Yun family young master had returned, as he looked at Yun Che, the strongest thought that emerged in his mind was... if Qibao could marry this kid, I'd be willing to be a minor father-in-law! Aiy, aiy, aiy!
"Brother Yun, might I ask one thing? The sudden recovery of you and your wife's injuries—what kind of peerless expert accomplished this? Our Elf clan has always considered ourselves extremely skilled in healing, but we were helpless against your injuries and always thought no one in the world could cure them. Now that I see you both recovered, I am extremely curious as to what kind of person possesses such heaven-reaching ability."
Regarding the healing of Yun Qinghong and his wife, he used the words "heaven-reaching ability," and this came from the mouth of the Tianxia clan's patriarch, but to those who knew the severity of their injuries, it was not an exaggeration at all.
If it had been before the Demon Queen Ceremony, no matter who asked, Yun Qinghong would have concealed it. But now, he smiled slightly, turned his gaze to Yun Che, and said frankly and proudly, "To be honest, the injuries and poison on myself and Yurou were all cured by Che'er."
Before, they had to conceal it because they absolutely did not want Yun Che to be targeted. But now, Yun Che was already as high-profile as could be, having completely offended Huai Wang and others. Concealing it any further was meaningless. Saying it outright might actually bring benefits to Yun Che.
Unsurprisingly, as soon as Yun Qinghong finished speaking, Tianxia Xiongtu's face showed an expression of shock that he couldn't hide. Behind him, the six Tianxia brothers all opened their mouths wide, unable to close them for a long time. They all knew very well how terrifying the injuries and poison on Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou were. If someone else had said this, they would never believe it. But this fact came directly from Yun Qinghong's mouth, leaving Tianxia Xiongtu with no choice but to believe. And recalling the information they had received recently, in the period before Yun Qinghong's recovery, he hadn't come into contact with anyone else. The only change was that an adopted son, Yun Che, had appeared by his side...
Tianxia Xiongtu took a deep breath before suppressing the shock in his heart. He glanced around and did not continue to press. "Thank you, Brother Yun, for your frankness. This place has many ears and is not suitable for further discussion. Although Huai Wang suffered a complete defeat today, there's no way he'll just give up. Now that Brother Yun is recovered and the Demon Emperor Seal has returned, Xiao Yaohou will have several parts more strength to resist... Regarding future matters, I will visit tomorrow to discuss."
Yun Qinghong nodded slightly and did not say more.
"Qibao, let's go." Tianxia Xiongtu shot a glance at Xiao Yun, then directly pulled Tianxia Diqi to leave.
"Ah! Seventh sister!" Xiao Yun suddenly remembered the most important thing. He quickly called out to stop Tianxia Diqi, then hastily ran in front of her, holding an exquisite white jade box in his hands. As he lifted the box, it immediately drew everyone's attention, because this was the white jade box that Xiao Yaohou had bestowed upon him. Inside was the Overlord Pill!!
"Seventh sister, this is the Overlord Pill bestowed by Xiao Yaohou. I'm giving it... to you."
"Ah!" Tianxia Diqi's eyes widened, she let out a soft exclamation, and instinctively covered her mouth. Behind her, the six Tianxia brothers all looked incredulous, and even Tianxia Xiongtu's eyes fluctuated.
This was not an ordinary pill. This was a pill that was like a myth to ordinary people, one that even members of the Guardian Clans and princely mansions would covet to the point of death!
By taking this Overlord Pill, Xiao Yun could directly become an Overlord Emperor, advancing a thousand miles in a single day. He would become truly superior among his peers. And yet, he was taking out this Overlord Pill without hesitation to give to Tianxia Diqi!
Yun Che stood there nodding silently, with an approving expression. Given his understanding of Xiao Yun's character over this period, this move, which others would consider earth-shattering, was not surprising at all coming from him. Otherwise, how would the little princess of the Tianxia family remain so devoted to him despite all the obstacles...
"You want to give the Overlord Pill... to our seventh sister?" Tianxia Fifth craned his neck and said in disbelief.
Xiao Yun's background had been publicly revealed; he had become a descendant of the Illusion Demon Royal Clan's benefactor, and he had been enfeoffed as a king by Xiao Yaohou. His status was now incomparable to before. Not only was he no longer unworthy of Tianxia Diqi, but he actually far surpassed her. Yet, despite all this, he still actively wanted to give this extremely precious Overlord Pill, which could turn father and son into enemies and brothers against each other, to Tianxia Diqi... Whether his affection for Tianxia Diqi was true or false, and how deep it was, at this moment, anyone who wasn't blind could see it clearly.
"Mm-hmm." Xiao Yun immediately nodded. "Seventh sister's profound strength is currently at the peak of the King Xuan Realm, so she's the most suitable to use this Overlord Pill. Seventh sister, if you take this Overlord Pill, you can become a true Overlord Emperor, and then no one will be able to bully you."
Tianxia Third opened his mouth but couldn't say a word for a moment. The other Tianxia brothers were also moved. They asked themselves: if they had obtained the Overlord Pill before becoming Overlord Emperors, there was absolutely no way they would be willing to give it to others, not even their own brothers. But Xiao Yun, who had already been enfeoffed as a king, was...
Tianxia Diqi was both moved and delighted. She believed more than anyone that even if he became a king, he would still be her Brother Yun. She shook her head and pushed away the white jade box. "Brother Yun, this was bestowed upon you by Xiao Yaohou. I don't want it."
"But, Xiao Yaohou said that once it's bestowed to me, it becomes my own property, and I can give it away as I please." Seeing that Tianxia Diqi wouldn't accept it, Xiao Yun became a bit anxious. "Seventh sister, now is the perfect time for you to use it. I... I'm about to break through soon, so using it would be a waste for me."
"Hmph, I don't believe that." Tianxia Diqi pushed the white jade box again and said with a giggle, "Brother Yun, although you're older than me and at the same cultivation level, you're still a little bit behind me. If anyone's going to break through first, it'll be me. So you just honestly take it yourself and don't try to push it onto me."
"But... but..."
Others dream of getting the Overlord Pill but can't, yet these two were actually pushing it back and forth. Yun Che stepped forward and grabbed the box containing the Overlord Pill, saying, "You two stop pushing it back and forth for now. Since Xiao Yun wants to give the Overlord Pill to Seventh Sister, and Seventh Sister wants Xiao Yun to use it himself... let's do this: this Overlord Pill will be handed over to me first. After I go back, I'll split it into two halves with identical medicinal effects. You each take half. That way, problem solved."
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[Well... how should I put it...]