Chapter 924: Doubt
The deaths of these people also signified the complete annihilation of all the core strength of the Sun Moon Divine Palace and Tian Wei Sword Domain. From then on, even if the Sun Moon Divine Palace and Tian Wei Sword Domain continued to exist, they had completely lost their status as Sacred Grounds.
Yun Che turned around. As his gaze swept over them, the people from Supreme Sea Palace and Huangji Sacred Domain all shrank their pupils and instinctively stepped back.
"Starting tomorrow, you will absorb all the people of Tian Wei Sword Domain and Sun Moon Divine Palace under your command. If they are disobedient or you cannot control them, kill them directly. All their experts have already perished here; dealing with the remaining ones should be extremely simple for you." Yun Che's tone was utterly indifferent. "As for the resources of Tian Wei Sword Domain and Sun Moon Divine Palace, half will be transported to Yaohuang City. The other half, you can divide among yourselves as you see fit."
Seeing that Yun Che had no intention of killing them, they all breathed a huge sigh of relief. When they suddenly heard that they could take half of the resources of two Sacred Grounds, their hearts were filled with unexpected joy. The Sun Moon Divine Palace and Tian Wei Sword Domain, like themselves, had stood as mighty Sacred Grounds for ten thousand years. The accumulation of ten thousand years was undoubtedly an enormous amount of resources and heritage. For the two of them to share half was practically a pie falling from the sky. How could they not do their utmost?
With a "bang," Yun Che threw the completely paralyzed Ye Xuange at Xia Yuanba's feet, then whispered a few words to Xia Yuanba. Xia Yuanba's eyes flickered, then he nodded slightly, firmly grasping Ye Xuange in a palm twice the size of Yun Che's own... And even now, Ye Xuange had no idea why Yun Che was giving him such "special treatment."
Led by Xia Yuanba and Zi Ji, the people of Huangji Sacred Domain and Supreme Sea Palace quickly left the Huan Yao Realm. Yun Che stayed behind with Xiao Yaohou in front of the imperial mausoleum. He asked with concern, "Caiyi, are you really not going to the Tian Xuan Continent to personally clean up the Tian Wei Sword Domain and Sun Moon Divine Palace?"
Xiao Yaohou shook her head slightly. "The chief culprits have all been executed. What we have now is enough to comfort the spirits of my father and the others in heaven. The rest are just pawns being manipulated. Let them live or die as they will."
Compared to the Xiao Yaohou who had once exterminated the entire Huai Wang clan and bathed Yaohuang City in blood, her state of mind was now noticeably calmer. Her sharpness and authority remained, but the deep-seated fury and hatred were gone. Yun Che gently embraced her and whispered in her ear, "Caiyi, rest assured. Such disasters will never happen again."
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With the completion of the spatial profound formation, spatial travel that once relied solely on the Primordial Mystic Ark could now be accomplished through the formation. Xiao Lie, eager to return home, went back to Liuyun City on the very first day. Xiao Lingxi, worried about him, naturally went with him.
Also returning to Liuyun City together were Xiao Yun, his wife, and Xiao Yong'an.
Cang Yue, always concerned about state affairs, soon returned to Cangfeng Imperial City.
A few days later, Yun Che and Feng Xue'er, along with the two thousand disciples of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace, returned to the long-missed Ice Extreme Snow Domain via the spatial profound formation.
Back then, the fierce battle between Xiao Yaohou and Xuanyuan Wentian had melted nearly half the ice and snow of the Ice Extreme Snow Domain. Now, half a year later, under the bitter cold, the ground had once again turned white, covered with thick layers of snow and ice. However, glaciers were almost nowhere to be seen.
"Martial Uncle Murong, are you sure you want to rebuild the Bing Yun Fairy Palace yourselves? Don't you need help from Yaohuang City?" Yun Che asked Murong Qianxue and the others.
Murong Qianxue replied, "The original Bing Yun Fairy Palace was built by our ancestors with the Ice Cloud Art. If they could do it, so can we. Moreover, under the guidance of the Palace Master, our generation is overall stronger than any previous one. The new Bing Yun Fairy Palace will only be better than before."
"Before that, we will first search for the remains of our ancestors. They were placed deep within the ice layers and must be intact," Chu Yueli added.
"Alright then," Yun Che nodded. The ice formed by their Ice Cloud Art, combined with the eternal bitter cold here, was a hundred times harder than glazed bricks and tiles. "I believe that by now, all the senior and junior martial sisters already have a clear image of the new Bing Yun Fairy Palace in their minds."
"Rest assured, Palace Master. Perhaps we'll even surprise you then," Feng Hanxue said cheerfully.
The disciples of Bing Yun Fairy Palace scattered. When the Bing Yun Fairy Palace had been reduced to ashes, they had been heartbroken and teary-eyed. Now, using their own hands to rebuild the ice palace, each of them showed deep excitement and anticipation.
Seeing them like this, Yun Che smiled and felt completely at ease. Over the past few years, the Bing Yun Fairy Palace had suffered several calamities; now it could finally return to peace. He had not failed to live up to the trust of Gong Yuxian, who had tearfully and pleadingly entrusted him with the position of Palace Master.
...He had also preserved Xiao Xiannü's home from childhood.
"Brother Yun, why are there two more profound formations over there?" Feng Xue'er suddenly pointed to the south. In front of the spatial profound formation connecting the two continents, there were actually two smaller spatial profound formations. "And these two formations... seem to still carry the aura of our Fenghuang God Sect."
Yun Che smiled. "These are also spatial teleportation formations. The one with the slightly lighter profound light connects to Liuyun City, and the one with the slightly deeper color connects to Fenghuang City. Your father built both with all his effort within this past month."
"Ah? Father?" Feng Xue'er murmured softly.
"That day at the Sea Palace, I only mentioned it in passing, but he took it to heart. There is also a spatial profound formation in Liuyun City connecting to Fenghuang City. Your father went to all this trouble just to make it convenient for you to visit often," Yun Che said, looking at Feng Xue'er.
Feng Xue'er parted her lips, her starry eyes a little misty. Suddenly she said, "Brother Yun, it's true that I haven't been back for a long time. Father and the others must miss me. Fenghuang City is probably being rebuilt now, and they need my help the most. So I think I'll return to Fenghuang City for a while."
Yun Che nodded gladly. "I'll be in Liuyun City during this time. With the profound formations connecting us, we can see each other anytime. Xue'er can spend the day in Fenghuang City, and at night, come back obediently into my arms."
"Brother Yun, you... you're getting worse and worse," Xue'er said with a coquettish pout, a gorgeous rosy glow spreading across her immortal face.
They parted at the teleportation formation, one returning to Fenghuang City, the other to Liuyun City.
The teleportation formation in Liuyun City was set up in the courtyard of the Xiao Sect. Yun Che stepped out of the formation but did not immediately go to find Xiao Lingxi and the others. Instead, he soared into the air, his spiritual sense instantly enveloping the entire Liuyun City.
Yun Che's spiritual sense was now vastly stronger than before. Every wisp of aura in Liuyun City was clearly presented to his perception. Soon, he locked onto a location, shot toward the eastern part of the city like lightning, and landed beside a middle-aged man dressed in silver.
Suddenly finding someone appearing before him, the silver-clad man became instantly alert. But when he saw Yun Che, he hurriedly knelt down. "This subordinate Luo Chi, Hall Master of the Luo Sheng Hall of Huangji Sacred Domain, awaits Lord Yun Palace Master here on the orders of the Holy Emperor."
"Several days? You came this early?" Yun Che muttered.
"Yes, how could we dare to be negligent in a matter so important as Lord Yun Palace Master entrusted?" Luo Chi, the silver-clad middle-aged man, replied with utmost respect.
"And the men?" Yun Che asked.
"They are right in the small hut behind me," Luo Chi answered.
"Hand Xuanyuan Wendao over to me. As for the other one... wait here a day longer."
"Yes."
Soon, a man in black was dragged out by Luo Chi and placed beside Yun Che.
Xuanyuan Wendao's face was sallow, devoid of any of his usual arrogance or pride. He lay there collapsed, looking exactly like a dog whose bones had been broken all over.
"Mmph..." A hoarse groan escaped Xuanyuan Wendao's throat. He slowly raised his head and finally saw Yun Che's face. In that instant, he was as if struck by lightning; his pupils dilated dozens of times. "Yun... Yun Che!"
"Hmph," Yun Che sneered. "Xuanyuan Wendao, do you still recognize this place?"
"Ah... ah..." Xuanyuan Wendao's mouth gaped wide. The moment he saw Yun Che, he fell completely into the abyss of despair. In extreme terror, he could not even utter a single complete word, let alone answer.
Yun Che grabbed him, soared into the air, and soon returned to the Xiao Sect. Following the auras, he landed directly in Xiao Lie's courtyard.
"Che'er, you're back."
Seeing Yun Che, Xiao Lie gently put down the just-sleeping Xiao Yong'an in his arms, his face full of gentle smiles. "Since you're back, stay for a few days. These past two days, Xi'er has already cleaned and organized your room again."
"Yeah, I've been away from home for so long; of course I'll stay a few more days," Yun Che replied. "Grandfather, I have a gift for you."
"Gift?"
Yun Che stretched out his arm, sucked Xuanyuan Wendao, who was outside the door, over, and threw him in front of Xiao Lie.
Xiao Lie was startled and asked in surprise, "Who is this man?"
"His name is Xuanyuan Wendao." Yun Che took a deep breath and said each word with determination. "Twenty-four years ago, it was he who poisoned Uncle Xiao to death!"
"..." Xiao Lie was as if struck by a thunderbolt. His body shook violently, and a layer of pallor quickly spread over his originally gentle smiling face.
Yun Che quickly stepped forward to support Xiao Lie, frowning deeply. "The chief culprit of that whole affair is already dead, and everyone involved has met their deserved end. I kept this man's life alone... because he should be executed by you personally, Grandfather."
In the years when Xiao Lie raised Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi, the two things he had always yearned for were to heal Yun Che's profound veins and to find the murderer who killed Xiao Ying back then. The former had been achieved—Yun Che's profound veins were not only restored, but he had also become famous throughout the world. The latter had become the biggest knot in Xiao Lie's heart.
Now, the murderer he had been desperately searching for, dreaming of finding and killing, was finally found, right in front of him. The pain and hatred accumulated for over twenty years surged wildly within his soul.
"You... it was you... it was you... who killed my son... it was you!"
His usually calm and peaceful demeanor twisted beyond recognition in just a few moments. His entire body emitted intense sorrow and equally intense malice. Yun Che did not comfort or dissuade him, because he knew this was Xiao Lie's greatest hatred and the knot of his life. He had to let him vent freely and end it himself; otherwise, his heart and soul would forever be crushed under a heavy shadow, never truly at ease.
Xiao Lie suddenly reached out and grabbed Xuanyuan Wendao by the collar, twisting his sallow, despairing face. Looking at this irreconcilable enemy who had killed his son and destroyed his family, Xiao Lie's eyes seemed to crack, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. "I'll... I'll... I'll kill you!"
In his entire life, Yun Che had never seen Xiao Lie make such a terrifying expression or utter such a terrifying sound. Xiao Lie's hand moved upward, gripping Xuanyuan Wendao's throat. His trembling hands condensed all his pain and hatred...
"Wah wah wah..."
At that moment, a loud baby's cry rang out. The familiar crying made Xiao Lie's whole body tremble. Almost reflexively, he threw Xuanyuan Wendao aside, rushed hastily into the house, and hurriedly but gently picked up the suddenly awakened Xiao Yong'an... The moment he held Xiao Yong'an, all the malice on him vanished almost instantly.
"Yong'an, be good, don't cry, don't cry. It's great-grandfather's fault. Great-grandfather must have scared Yong'an..."
Xiao Lie hugged the baby tightly, coaxing him in a gentle voice, his lowered gaze full of deep affection and softness, with not even a trace of the ferocity from his hatred moments ago. It was as if he had completely forgotten Xuanyuan Wendao's existence. Soon, Xiao Yong'an stopped crying and continued to sleep peacefully in his arms.
Yun Che: "..."
"Che'er," Xiao Lie did not put Xiao Yong'an down. When he faced Xuanyuan Wendao again, his gaze was extraordinarily calm and peaceful. "This man killed my son. I dreamed of finding him, of tearing him limb from limb. But... these hands are meant to hold Yong'an. How could they be stained with filthy, sinful blood? So, you help your grandfather sacrifice him at Yong'an's grandfather's grave, so that his spirit in heaven can rest in peace..."
"Alright!" Yun Che agreed heavily, feeling an indescribable relief in his heart... Much more at ease than the expected outcome of Xiao Lie personally killing Xuanyuan Wendao for revenge.
"Yeah." Xiao Lie held the sleeping child tightly, looked up at the sky, and revealed a faint smile on his face. Although the smile carried a hint of melancholy, it was far more relaxed and peaceful than any smile Yun Che had ever seen on him.
Immediately, Yun Che grabbed Xuanyuan Wendao and went to the back mountain of the Xiao Sect, throwing him in front of Xiao Ying's tombstone.
"Xuanyuan Wendao, it's time to send you to reunite with your father." Yun Che stepped on him, forcing his head deep into a kowtow before Xiao Ying's grave. "Oh no, no. When your father died, his body and soul were utterly destroyed. Even if you walk through all eighteen levels of hell, you won't find him."
"Uncle Xiao's family was full of great kindness and righteousness, yet because of a piece of trash like you, such a huge tragedy occurred... You can't even begin to atone for it even if you die ten thousand times!" Yun Che's face darkened as he spat with hatred. "Go to hell and atone for your sins!"
Phoenix Flame ignited instantly. Xuanyuan Wendao barely had time to let out a despairing scream before he turned into ashes, scattered in front of Xiao Ying's grave.
Yun Che stepped back two paces, deeply bowed to Xiao Ying's tombstone, and said softly, "Uncle Xiao, back then you saved our family, but it brought disaster upon yourself. Our Yun family can never repay your kindness. Only today have we finally avenged you. Now that your great vengeance is fulfilled and the Xiao family has descendants, may your spirit in heaven rest in peace and smile."
With another deep bow, Yun Che soared into the air. He was about to fly back to the Xiao Sect when he suddenly paused, then changed direction and sped toward the eastern part of Liuyun City.
A huge doubt had been lingering in his mind.
It was about the full one hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal hidden in the east of Liuyun City.
What did one hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal mean?
The entire Tian Xuan Continent, on average, produced no more than one hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal in a century. Yet this clearly impoverished Liuyun City had suddenly produced a full one hundred jin.
And the most bizarre point was this: For such a massive quantity of Purple Vein Divine Crystal, the formation process should have taken several thousand years, even tens of thousands of years. During its existence, it would certainly have released an extremely dense aura of purple crystal. Yet those large sects, especially the Four Sacred Grounds, all had extremely sharp senses and detection methods for high-level resources like Purple Vein Divine Crystal. How had they failed to discover such a huge crystal mine for so many years?
Instead, it had been discovered by the Fenghuang God Sect just a few years ago.
It was as if... this hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal had suddenly appeared out of nowhere in recent years.