Chapter 636 - 3 Things

Chapter 636 -635: 3 Things

Yi Tianyun looked at the women before him. ‘How could I not know of their hardships?’ No management was ever easy. Even for those intoxicated by power, success was only possible with a mature and stable foundation.

They had struggled endlessly and faced life-and-death situations many times. It had been incredibly arduous, but they had gritted their teeth and persevered.

“What are you crying for? There’s nothing to cry about.” Yi Tianyun waved his hand, and it was as if countless hands gently brushed past the corners of their eyes, wiping away their tears. “The Celestial Cloud Empire will still have to rely on you all from now on. If you’re tired, put things aside for a while and get some proper rest.”

“Great Emperor, you’ve never rested. How could we dare to?”

“That’s right, we’re not tired! We’re nowhere near as hardworking as the Great Emperor!”

One by one, they revealed radiant smiles. Compared to Yi Tianyun, they still had a long way to go. These weren’t empty words; Yi Tianyun was constantly fighting for his life out there and could very well die.

What did their safety here count for in comparison?

Yi Tianyun just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

“I’ve called you all here today mainly to discuss a few things.”

“The first matter is relatively simple. I plan to leave the Mortal Realm for a trip to the Netherworld to take care of some business.”

Yi Tianyun’s gaze turned cold. Although he didn’t state it explicitly, they all knew what he meant: the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom! If this lingering threat wasn’t eliminated, it would cause immense trouble down the line. It had to be eradicated.

Even if it couldn’t be uprooted completely, he had to suppress it so fiercely that they would lose any notion of coming up here.

Everyone nodded in understanding.

“The second matter is to travel to the Celestial Realm to find my aunt.” Yi Tianyun’s voice grew heavy. After all this time, he was finally going to the Celestial Realm to search for her.

He didn’t know what power had taken Shi Xueyun away, but as long as it was in the Celestial Realm, he would find her, even if she was in its most remote corner!

“Yes, you must bring Palace Master Shi back! She’s the one who sacrificed the most! For her to leave like that… it’s a great injustice to her, and frankly, a terrible blow to us!”

“That’s right. Palace Master Shi’s contributions outweigh all of ours combined! We’re not exaggerating; she has always worked harder than anyone…”

When they compared themselves to Shi Xueyun, they all felt inadequate. In the beginning, Shi Xueyun was the one who propped up the Celestial Cloud Empire! She had sacrificed far too much, and in the end, she chose to go to the Celestial Realm for the empire’s sake.

It was unclear if she had been threatened, but it was a fact that she had left because of Yi Tianyun. Therefore, he absolutely had to bring Shi Xueyun back.

And how could Yi Tianyun not know this? He had understood it clearly long ago, back in Merak Palace. Shi Xueyun had been paving the way for him completely. Although he had accomplished a great deal, it was nothing compared to what Shi Xueyun had done.

Even if he was the one who conquered the realm, it would have eventually collapsed without someone to manage it. Shi Xueyun was that manager, handling everything with admirable precision.

“Of course, I know that…” Yi Tianyun’s eyes flickered. He then looked at them and said with a faint smile, “I will bring her back. I promise.”

“The third matter is also quite simple.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and three Divine Artifacts appeared before them—all spoils from previous battles. He looked up at them and said, “These three Divine Artifacts are yours. Familiarize yourselves with them, but do not use them unless it is a critical moment.”

“Divine Artifacts!?”

They were all stunned. These were weapons that only a Great Emperor should be able to wield, yet now it was their turn to use them! It was already astounding that they could use Sacred Artifacts. Even for experts at the Void Spirit Stage, Sacred Artifact-level items were rare, yet not only did they possess them, they had several.

To now receive Divine Artifacts on top of that was simply earth-shattering.

“This… this is too precious! They should be kept by the Great Emperor for his own protection!”

They all nodded emphatically. As precious as the artifacts were, they felt that Yi Tianyun’s safety was the priority.

“You are the pillars of the empire now. These Divine Artifacts belong to you to manage; this is your responsibility!” Yi Tianyun said in a tone that brooked no refusal. “I’m telling you to take them, so take them. Do you think I haven’t kept anything for myself?”

“Alright…”

They could only reluctantly accept, though they still felt a little worried.

“I have already arranged most things; the rest is up to you.” Yi Tianyun stood up and declared, “I believe that the Celestial Cloud Empire will become even more glorious in the future—not just in the Mortal Realm, but in the Celestial Realm, and even the Netherworld!”

Their eyes lit up, and their hearts pounded with excitement. ‘Does this mean Yi Tianyun wants to expand not only in the Mortal Realm, but also in the Celestial Realm and the Netherworld? Isn’t he planning to unify the Three Realms?’

After everything that needed to be said was said, they each returned to their duties, but Ye Qingxuan did not leave immediately.

“Great Emperor, I have something for you…” After a moment’s thought, Ye Qingxuan took out a rune and handed it to him.

“A Heaven and Earth Divine Pattern!” Yi Tianyun’s expression sank the moment he saw it. “What do you think you’re doing? How could you do something that causes such harm to your own body!”

The power of a Heaven and Earth Divine Pattern was astonishing, and only the Spirit Race could inscribe them. The sole drawback was the immense physical toll it took on the inscriber. Ye Qingxuan had given him one before, and its power was indeed incredible, but because of the harm it caused, he had forbidden her from ever inscribing another.

“I had the Blood Jade you gave me, so I was able to recover my strength in time.” Ye Qingxuan’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she looked at him. “I know how dangerous it is for you out there, so this is the only thing I can do to help. After all, you are our king now… an indispensable king.”

Yi Tianyun gazed into her beautiful eyes, his heart trembling. If he were to fall, the Celestial Cloud Empire would fall with him. At least, that was how things stood at present.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” Yi Tianyun said as he accepted it with a smile. “I won’t use this Heaven and Earth Divine Pattern if I can help it.”

He stored the Divine Rune Talisman in his inventory. It was an extremely powerful killing move that he would have to save for a desperate situation.

“I hope so.” Ye Qingxuan smiled, finally leaving with her mind at ease.

Watching their departing figures, Yi Tianyun felt the weight of his responsibility grow even heavier. He was carrying the entire Celestial Cloud Empire on his shoulders.

‘It’s time to set out. Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom… let’s see just how deep your foundations truly run!’

Yi Tianyun’s figure vanished. The next moment, he appeared outside and flew at top speed toward the passage to the Netherworld. He tore through the air, and as he plunged into the passage, the surrounding flight-restricting effects had no impact on him whatsoever.

Empowered by the might of a Guardian, he was not subject to the slightest restriction and could fly at will.

As he shot past, the Cultivators by the Nether River who were busy building rafts froze when they saw someone flying overhead.

“Am I seeing things? Someone can actually fly here?”

“He really is flying! Did they lift the flight ban?”

“Let me try… Bullshit! I can’t fly at all! How in the world did he do that?”

The Cultivators could only stare dumbfounded at the figure that had vanished in the blink of an eye, their expressions vacant.