BOOMM!
The Divine Oracle struck like a golden snake, piercing Qianye Fantian's chest with a thunderous explosion. Blood sprayed into the air as he flew backward, crashing like a cannonball.
"My Lord!" The Brahma Kings and Brahma Gods aboard the ship shouted in panic, rushing to his side. But Qianye Fantian raised a hand to stop them with a sharp command, "Stay still!"
Steadying himself, he stood up. His golden imperial robe was stained with blood, but the injury wasn't serious. He had withdrawn his profound energy and took Qianye Ying'er's attack without defending.
In the end, the difference in strength was vast. Qianye Ying'er's cultivation was only at the 6th level Divine Master, and she hadn't mastered any profound arts; she could only rely on pure profound energy. Meanwhile, Qianye Fantian's peak-level Divine Master body remained incredibly strong. Even without defending himself, it would be slightly difficult for her to kill him.
Staring into Qianye Ying'er's eyes, which brimmed with hatred and resentment, he smiled. "Good, good. I like that expression. It seems my years of nurturing didn't go to waste."
"It looks like your mother's death wasn't in vain either."
BOOM!
"Old dog! Don't let her name touch your filthy tongue!"
His words ignited Qianye Ying'er's fury once again. The Divine Oracle shot forward, coiling around his body, twisting and rolling as if trying to grind him into pieces.
She knew he was provoking her, but she couldn't stop herself. Her mother's memory was one of the few things she refused to let anyone tarnish.
"Calm down."
At that moment, Yun Wuji caught her wrist, calm and firm, then pulled her into his arms.
"Can't you see he's begging for death? Don't give him the satisfaction of watching you dance to his tune, not even now."
"..." Qianye Ying'er's wrist trembled uncontrollably, her jaw locked so tight it was a wonder her teeth hadn't shattered from the pressure.
"Qianye Fantian, I really admire how you could rationally and coldly analyze your situation so quickly and come up with a plan to save your realm," Yun Wuji said as he released Qianye Ying'er's wrist. "Why don't you share that plan with us?"
Qianye Fantian was no different from Xing Juekong, perhaps even more emotionless and rational when it came to his realm. Ever since becoming a God Emperor, he had stopped living for himself.
Every thought, emotion, and ambition revolved around protecting the Brahma Monarch God Realm, strengthening it, and raising its status to even greater heights. He was willing to sacrifice anything for its sake, whether it be his loved ones, his children, or even his own life.
"Talking to someone smart is indeed easier." Qianye Fantian showed a rare look of appreciation as he stared at Yun Wuji. He completely ignored the Divine Oracle still slicing into his flesh and spoke calmly, "You're right. My plan is to make a deal with you."
"A deal? Hahahaha!" Qianye Ying'er laughed, her anger sharp and bitter, then sneered with open contempt. "Please don't tell me you're dreaming that I'd spare your life just because you're my father."
"Hehehehe." Qianye Fantian chuckled as well. "I'd be thoroughly disappointed if you actually let me live."
"..." Qianye Ying'er tried to hold back her anger, her eyes narrowing as she stared him down.
While still bound by the Divine Oracle, Qianye Fantian slowly opened his palm to reveal a golden object. It was the lifeline of the Brahma Monarch Realm, the Brahma Soul Bell.
It let out a tiny chime when it was revealed, but it was enough to clear the Brahma Gods, Kings, and Elders' minds and drew their attention toward it… This bell was literally the symbol of their highest faith.
"Children of Brahma Monarch, heed my order!" Qianye Fantian's amiable voice grew stern. "The bearer of the Brahma Monarch's bloodline and the Brahma Soul Bell is the unquestionable monarch of the Brahma Monarch Realm!"
Blood poured from his wounds, soaking his clothes, but his voice struck like a hammer to the heart.
"I, Qianye Fantian, the thirty-first Brahma Heaven God Emperor of the Brahma Monarch Realm, hereby pass down my title and the Brahma Soul Bell to my successor, Qianye Ying'er. From this moment on, Qianye Ying'er is the thirty-second Brahma Heaven God Emperor of the Brahma Monarch Realm!"
"My… my lord?"
The Brahma Gods and Brahma Kings stared at him in shock. They had a feeling that something like this would happen from the moment Qianye Fantian took out the Brahma Soul Bell.
Was this… the "last way" he spoke of?
Yun Wuji said nothing about Qianye Fantian's surprising move; he had already expected it the moment he saw Qianye Fantian step out of the warship alone.
However, Qianye Ying'er surged forward, closing the distance to Qianye Fantian. The Divine Oracle released him just before it struck like golden lightning, slashing straight at his head and sending him flying once more.
Qianye Fantian offered no resistance. His profound energy fully withdrawn, he let the sword carve a deep wound across his face.
"..."
The Brahma Gods, Kings, and Elders all instinctively stepped forward to help, but a single glare from him froze them in place. Their eyes locked on him, filled with sorrow and tangled emotions.
Especially the Brahma Gods, they were his blood brothers and Qianye Ying'er's uncles. Back then, they had joined forces with him to ambush and cripple their own niece.
"Old dog, do you really think your actions would move me or make me hesitate?" Qianye Ying'er stopped in front of Qianye Fantian and stared at him coldly, "That might have worked on the naive Qianye Ying'er you killed with your own hands long ago."
Qianye Fantian only smiled despite the utter lack of warmth in his eyes. He raised his hand and said, "Take the Brahma Soul Bell… and you are the Brahma Heaven God Emperor!"
Qianye Ying'er snatched it from his hand without changing her expression at all. Just like that, the lifeline of the entire Brahma Monarch God Realm was now in her hands.
She narrowed her eyes as the light of the Brahma Soul Bell entered her eyes.
Once upon a time, the Brahma Soul Bell was the object of her greatest desire. One of her greatest goals was to become a Brahma Heaven God Emperor that was as great as Qianye Fantian, if not better.
Gripping the Brahma Soul Bell firmly in one hand, she stabbed Qianye Fantian with the Divine Oracle mercilessly and without any hesitation with the other hand.
"My lord!!"
Cries of sorrow erupted as Qianye Fantian sank to his knees, eyes fixed on the golden light piercing his chest.
"Qianye Fantian," Qianye Ying'er said, her eyes as cold and dark as the abyss. "If I felt even a shred of pity for you just because you handed me the Brahma Soul Bell, I wouldn't be able to face the 'gift' you gave me back then, or my mother."
Shred!
She swung her weapon violently to the side, sending Qianye Fantian flying like a bleeding rag doll.
The Brahma Kings and Elders hurriedly circulated their profound energy and rushed toward their God Emperor.
Meanwhile, the Brahma Gods stayed rooted in place, sensing the Star Gods, Yama Devils, and others locking their auras onto them. Any slight movement would trigger an attack.
The bleeding Qianye Fantian only raised his head and laughed happily, "Well done… well done! This is how my daughter should behave; how the Brahma Heaven God Emperor should act! Hahaha… hahahaha…"
He shoved aside the Brahma Kings trying to help him and stood tall. Though the sword had pierced his chest and heart, he was nowhere near death. Turning to them, he growled, "My lord? Have you gone blind or deaf? Ying'er is your lord now! She is the new master of the Brahma Monarch Realm!"
"Heh!" Qianye Ying'er sneered out loud. Her killing intent hadn't subsided or deviated in the slightest despite Qianye Fantian's actions. "Qianye Fantian, is this your final struggle? Do you really think you can protect your dogs with such a pathetic and ridiculous method?"
Her hatred had not only focused on Qianye Fantian alone, but it had also extended to the Brahma Monarch God Realm. It was precisely because of this reason that Qianye Fantian had reluctantly made a move against her. If it had only been him alone that she hated, he could've pretended to ignore it and used this as an opportunity to sharpen her into becoming a greater God Emperor.
"No, they aren't my dogs any longer." Qianye Fantian shook his head, ignoring the blood seeping from his heart and mouth. "They are yours now, and yours alone!"
He abruptly spun toward his Brahma Kings and shouted, "What are you waiting for!? Swear loyalty to your new God Emperor already! Or have you forgotten the most basic loyalty and faith we uphold in the Brahma Monarch Realm!?"
Qianye Fantian's words only deepened his daughter's sneer. The Divine Oracle coiled around his body like a golden snake, dragging him to her feet. The profound energy radiating from the weapon gnawed at his flesh, bit into his bones, and sent showers of blood bursting from his body.
Qianye Fantian didn't let out a single cry of pain. He looked up from beneath Qianye Ying'er's feet and said hoarsely, "Ying'er, remember that I am the person you hate the most and want to kill more than anyone else, not them! They are nothing more than loyal servants who carry out their master's orders and responsibilities."
"They are your kin, for you all have the blood of the Brahma Monarch flowing in your veins! That will not change, now or ever!"
Thump!!
Following his words, the three Brahma Gods abruptly dropped to their knees and kowtowed to their niece. Qianye Wusheng spoke in a voice incomparably calm, "Our lord is Qianye Ying'er, and we swear to serve our lord until death claims us all. Our lord is the new emperor, and our lord is the heavenly mandate. Our vow is eternal as long as we live, and we won't regret it even in death!"
As Qianye Fantian's brothers, they quickly grasped his plan and followed it without hesitation. The situation was undeniably against their realm. Even if their strength were tripled, victory would remain out of reach. Yet, whether by fortune or misfortune, one of their enemies turned out to be one of their own. Submitting to Qianye Ying'er and accepting her as their new God Emperor was not such a bad option after all. In doing so, they would shift from enemies to allies.
The only price they had to pay was the life of one single Qianye Fantian.
In exchange for one person, they could save the Brahma Monarch God Realm from a fatal predicament and maybe even strengthen it in the future. It was a price well worth paying.
The Brahma Kings and Elders stared at the Brahma Gods in shock, but soon their understanding dawned. They, too, dropped to their knees and swore the same vow.
Qianye Ying'er stood silent for a moment, her golden eyes scanning each of them. With the Dragon God Realm and the Southern Sea God Realm gone, the Brahma Monarch God Realm was unquestionably the strongest king realm in the world, if we set aside the impact of the level-up pills.
Although Qianye Ying'er no longer hungered for power like before, she remained fully aware of her position. Each of Yun Wuji's women was either strong in their own right or backed by a formidable force. Xia Qingyue commanded the Moon God Realm, Jasmine held the Star God Realm, and the most frightening of all, Chi Wuyao, controlled the Soul Stealing Realm.
She, on the other hand, found herself in a very awkward position. Because of old grudges, Jasmine and Xia Qingyue still hated her, and their close bonds with the other women left her completely isolated. Her status as Yun Wuji's slave only lowered her standing further. If she could take full control of the Brahma Monarch God Realm and provide level-up pills, she would gain strength surpassing most of the others, finally able to face them without losing.
Ignoring the kneeling crowd, Qianye Ying'er willed the Golden Oracle to release Qianyye Fantian before it wrapped itself around his neck. "Though I hate to admit it, your words make a certain kind of sense."
Puff!
The sharp blades of the sword sliced across his neck, spraying blood everywhere. Yet Qianye Fantian didn't unleash his power to protect himself. He knew death was certain, but his eyes shone brightly, fully satisfied with how things ended.
"Are you really going to kill him? He is your father, after all," Yun Wuji spoke up. Though he didn't agree with the idea of her personally killing her father, he wasn't as hypocritical as Yun Che, who always preached about vengeance and sin but massacred countless people the moment he sought revenge.
Yun Wuji, who had experienced these things in the past, knew he had no right to tell anyone to let go of their grudges.
Still, to spare her from carrying that weight, he tried to persuade her. "Let him go. That is also the same as letting yourself off. Ying'er, do not live in a world of hatred. Do not live in the past. You need to lead your own life. Don't bear the sin of killing your own father. It is a very heavy burden."
"..." Qianye Ying'er turned around and glanced at Yun Wuji. She could sense his sincere feelings, and from his eyes, she saw how he barely held himself back from stopping her and killing Qianye Fantian with his own hands. "Wuji, I know you are saying that for my sake."
Swoosh!
"However..."
The sword around his neck erupted with profound energy and, in a shower of blood, Qianye Fantian's head was severed cleanly. The blood splashed on her face as Qianye Ying'er spoke, "There is nothing I cannot bear. I have my own resolution. Will this lead me on the path of destruction?"
"Hmph. I, Qianye Ying'er, am not so fragile."
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon:
https://patreon.com/ImmortalCockroach