At the Divine Abode Peak of the Azure Cloud Continent, the Cloud's End Cliff was the most lethal location among the Four Deadly Regions. This cliff was also frequently called the Cemetery of the God of Death. Over countless years, the number of people who had fallen into this abyss was simply impossible to count…
At this very moment, right at the edge of that cliff, a young man with tanned skin and pitch-black eyes was leaning his arm against a rock that stood as tall as two people. Blood stained all of his dark clothes, and numerous open wounds covered his body. He had only been resting against that stone for a few breaths of time, yet a pool of blood had already formed beneath his feet.
His chest rose and fell heavily; one could even say his breathing was so labored it would frighten an ordinary person. Every muscle in his body trembled slightly, a clear sign of his utter exhaustion and loss of strength. If not for that rock supporting him, he probably wouldn't have been able to stand on his own. Yet his eyes remained cold and calm, like two sharp blades gleaming with ferocity. The corners of his mouth curled with extreme disdain.
Before him stood an awe-inspiring crowd of people blocking every possible path of escape.
"Yun Che, you're cornered! If you obey us and hand over the Sky Poison Pearl, we might let you live!"
"Today we shall carry out the justice of the heavens and rid the world of this scourge! If you hurry up and hand over the Sky Poison Pearl right now, we can grant you a swift death. Otherwise, you will taste the pain of a thousand blades piercing your heart."
"Yun Che! Stop being so stubborn. Your only way out is to hand over the pearl! You are unworthy of such a sacred object."
Roars erupted from the crowd, all of them shouting about justice and righteousness. If anyone from the Azure Cloud Continent were to pass by and witness this scene, they would be utterly stunned. This mob consisted of the strongest sects and clans of the entire Azure Cloud Continent. Every sect leader was present; even long-forgotten elders had appeared. It would not be an exaggeration to say that any single person in that crowd could shake an entire region with their power.
And now, all of them were gathered here because of this one young man who had been forced to the very edge of the cliff—specifically, because of the Sky Poison Pearl in his hand… the number one sacred object of the Azure Cloud Continent.
Slowly, menacingly, the crowd advanced while shouting threats. When the Sky Poison Pearl was finally revealed once more, they stood face-to-face with that irresistible treasure again. After hunting for three full days, they could hardly wait to reap the fruits of their labor.
"You… want the… Sky Poison Pearl?" Yun Che laughed coldly.
Then he slowly raised his right hand. A small jade-green orb radiating dazzling splendor appeared in his palm. The moment the pearl appeared, everyone froze mid-step, staring fixedly at the green pearl, greed reflected in their eyes.
To Yun Che, these people—who were powerful enough to terrify the world—looked filthy and repulsive. He slowly lifted his gaze. Even though he was cornered, his pupils burned with arrogance and mockery. The deep hatred dwelling within his eyes was unmistakable.
"My master spent his entire life trying to save the world… He saved countless people without seeking profit or fame, yet you so-called righteous sects killed my master seven years ago for the sake of this Sky Poison Pearl," Yun Che said, then continued, "I hate… I hate myself for being so useless back then and not wiping out your damned righteous sects seven years ago!"
Every word carried profound, bone-deep hatred. Even though seven years had passed, merely thinking of his master's death made blood-tears well up in his eyes.
Yun Che never knew who his parents were. When his master found him, he had seemed to be only a few days old. It was during spring that his master took him in—scattered clouds, gentle breeze, spiritual mountains, and crystal-clear water. He named the child Yun Che, hoping his heart would remain as pure as the clouds and as clear as water… so that when he grew up, he would inherit his master's profession as a healer, saving the dying and healing the wounded with an uncorrupted heart.
No matter how grave the illness or injury, his master could always cure it. This was thanks to the Sky Poison Pearl hidden within his body. The words "Poison" and "Sky" indicated that this pearl was highly toxic, yet medicine and poison share the same origin. His master never used its poison. He only used alchemy to extract, refine, and ultimately produce sacred medicines that saved millions of lives. He carefully taught all his medical skills to Yun Che, but seven years ago, news of his Sky Poison Pearl spread. He gave the pearl to Yun Che and told him to flee. Soon after, he died at the hands of the greatest sects.
When news of his master's death reached Yun Che, he wept for three days and three nights. The seed of hatred took firm root in his heart, and he no longer practiced the medical arts. Instead, he absorbed the pearl's poison… Vengeance became his only belief. After seven years, he mastered the poison and bared the fangs of revenge. In less than ten days, the poison spread thousands of kilometers, killing countless people and plunging the entire Azure Cloud Continent into panic and terror—thus attracting the greed of the strong and powerful toward this treasure. This led to the hunt for Yun Che in order to seize the pearl, resulting in the current situation.
He looked at them all with hatred blazing in his eyes and laughed coldly. As soon as his laughter reached an icy pitch, he roared:
"You bastards, if you want my Sky Poison Pearl… You. Can. Only. Be. DREAMING!"
After making that declaration, Yun Che suddenly raised his hand and tossed the pearl into his mouth. Then he forced it down his throat, sending it straight into his stomach.
"Wha… What is he doing!?"
"He… he just swallowed the Sky Poison Pearl!!"
"Yun Che! If you want to die so badly!"
"It's fine—this is nothing. Just kill him and take the pearl out!"
The pearl entered his body, but the poison did not spread and kill him as they had expected. A faint green light glowed across his body.
"Kill him now! Otherwise, the Sky Poison Pearl might undergo some change inside his body. That would be a huge problem!"
Roaring, a dozen people from the crowd charged at Yun Che simultaneously. Looking at the numbers of people who wanted to destroy him, Yun Che began to laugh. His laughter was weak and dry, yet extremely arrogant.
"I don't have the strength to kill you all, but don't think you can kill me either! You pieces of shit are unworthy of the Sky Poison Pearl—and even more unworthy of killing me. If I die, it will be by my own hand! Hahahaha…"
After laughing, Yun Che used the last fragment of strength he had to leap backward.
"Stop him!"
Several hands reached for Yun Che the moment they realized his true intention, but they only managed to grasp half of his shadow. They could only watch as his light body fell toward the abyss.
"The Cloud's End Cliff is a very fitting cemetery for me, Yun Che… There is nothing holding me back anymore. I no longer have any ties to this world. Unfortunately… I couldn't avenge my master… nor find my parents."
Yun Che gently held the silver pendant on his chest. It was the only thing he had when his master found him. The wind whistled past his ears as he slowly closed his eyes and let his body sink into the seemingly endless dark abyss.
...
He slowly opened his eyes.
They were lifeless eyes, completely devoid of any spark of life, as though his soul had been ripped away. His body, once full of strength and determination, now resembled a corpse lying on a cold bed. Disjointed thoughts swirled in his mind—fragments of memories and images that made no sense.
Bitterness swelled in his heart as he recalled that moment on the cliff he had just dreamed about after escaping that cycle where he saw things from the perspective of everyone he had ruined. If he had died right then, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up like this…
Now he was nothing more than a worthless cripple. His profound veins had completely vanished. He could no longer feel his legs or arms; every movement seemed impossible, every thought an excruciating effort. But that still wasn't the worst part…
The worst part was something he never could have imagined: he had turned into a woman.
The change in his body was so drastic that for a few moments he barely recognized himself. How could he face Little Fairy, Cang Yue, Xia Qingyue, or even Feng Xue'er now? Even his Little Aunt. All those women who once harbored feelings for him—he could no longer be the man he once was. Would anyone still love him? Would any of those feelings survive his transformation? Well, it didn't matter anyway—he no longer felt any affection or love toward them, only a kind of revulsion and disgust rising from the depths of his soul… He knew none of them would love him anymore now that he had become a woman. Perhaps that was exactly why those two feelings arose simultaneously…
In any case, he didn't care at that moment.
A strange sensation coursed through his body when he thought of all the men who had crossed his life—something unconscious: memories of Xia Qingyue's brother, his childhood best friend, or even Fen Juechen, the one who had caused him so much suffering… Ugh, what was he even thinking? His face turned extremely pale.
He tried to think of something important, but what was important right now? Ah, Jasmine and Hong'er…
He didn't even know where they were anymore. Jasmine, the strongest profound practitioner he had ever known, capable of handling any situation, had probably faced Fen Juechen alone. But what if… what if she had died, since he no longer had the Sky Poison Pearl needed to remove her poison…? Whatever… It wasn't that important anyway…
Everything that had happened to him crushed any remaining will to live. He would rather be dead than alive…
While he remained in a completely vegetative state, Mu Yurou slowly entered the room carrying a small wooden basin of warm water. Steam rose gently, spreading a soft warmth through the silent space. Her steps were cautious, as though she feared making too much noise and disturbing the fragile condition of the person lying on the bed. But the moment her eyes fell on the young person's face on the bed, her entire body froze.
His eyes were open.
"Che'er!"
The cry escaped her throat almost like a sob. The basin slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor with a dull thud. Water spread rapidly across the wooden floor, but she didn't even notice.
Mu Yurou was already beside the bed.
"Che'er! You… you're awake!"
Her hands trembled as she held his face with the utmost care, as if afraid he would vanish at the slightest touch.
"Che'er, are you alright? Can you hear me? Say something to Mother!" Her voice was filled with anxiety, hope, and fear.
But Yun Che did not respond. His lifeless eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, motionless and empty, as though the woman crying beside him did not exist.
Mu Yurou's heart tightened.
"Che'er…?" Her voice grew weaker, almost breaking.
The sound of the basin falling had echoed through the quiet courtyard, and hurried footsteps soon approached.
The door opened.
Yun Qinghong entered first. His serious expression immediately changed when he saw what was happening.
"Yurou, what happened—" He stopped mid-sentence as his eyes met Yun Che's. "He's awake…"
Behind him, two figures also entered the room: Xia Qingyue and Feng Xue'er.
Xia Qingyue wore simple white robes. Her face was as beautiful as ever, yet completely cold and distant. Her eyes rested on Yun Che for only a brief moment, as though observing something insignificant. She was surprised to discover that he was still alive and that he had somehow ended up in the Illusory Demon Realm. Strangely, however, her heart did not stir at this revelation. Of course, she felt a faint trace of pity seeing the once so proud man reduced to this state… but beyond that, there was no other emotion in her heart.
There was no emotion on her face, for it perfectly reflected the state of her heart at that moment. It was as though she were looking at an ordinary stone.
Feng Xue'er, on the other hand, stopped right at the entrance. The young woman's clear eyes fixed on Yun Che, and an almost imperceptible turmoil passed through them. It was a complicated mixture of emotions: confusion, pain, and disbelief. Part of her felt relief upon realizing that her "Big Brother Yun" was still alive… but was that all? Any feelings she once held for him seemed distant now. She had a husband who had given her such happiness that it nearly erased the memories she had of the "woman" before her eyes. Still, she could not help but feel pity for his situation… a feeling that stirred complex emotions in her heart.
While the two women had their own thoughts and emotions regarding this reunion, Yun Che finally moved his eyes. His gaze swept across the room… until it stopped on the three figures: Mu Yurou, Xia Qingyue, and Feng Xue'er. The moment his eyes touched the latter two, he immediately recognized them, yet his dead heart did not react to their presence at all. Instead, something strange happened inside him. A sudden feeling rose from the depths of his soul—disgust! It was completely irrational… yet it surged so strongly that his stomach seemed to churn.
Merely looking at them caused something in his chest to tighten. His expression did not change, but inside, a sticky, unpleasant sensation spread through his mind.
"…"
He looked away.
Back to staring at the ceiling.
As though they weren't even worth a second of his attention.
Mu Yurou did not notice this. She was completely focused on the fact that he had awakened.
"Che'er, can you speak? Are you in pain anywhere?"
She held his hand.
But his hand was cold.
Yun Qinghong watched in silence.
It was the look of someone… who had completely lost the will to exist. This caused immense pain in his heart…
Feng Xue'er took a small step forward.
"Big Sister Yun…" Her voice was soft but hesitant.
Yun Che's eyes moved again reflexively. And when he saw her… the disgust inside him inexplicably intensified.
He furrowed his brows slightly.
'…What an… unpleasant feeling.'
Feng Xue'er opened her mouth, her lips trembling faintly as she tried to form words. Her blue eyes, still carrying that confused mixture of pity and distant nostalgia, fixed on Yun Che's pale face—or rather, on what remained of it. For a moment, it seemed she was about to say something gentle, something comforting, as she used to when calling him "Big Brother Yun."
But then… she hesitated.
His empty gaze, the total lack of reaction, the coldness emanating from that now so fragile body… all of it made her swallow her words. Her fingers tightened on the hem of her phoenix dress, and she slowly lowered her head, giving up. There was nothing more to say…
The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating.
Yun Qinghong watched everything in silence, his face etched with deep lines of worry and pain. He approached the bed, placing a hand on Mu Yurou's shoulder to comfort her, but his gaze never left the face of his blood "daughter."
"Che'er…" His voice came out low, almost hoarse. "You've awakened… that alone is already a miracle. But we need Zu'er to examine you immediately. He is the only one who can understand what happened to your body… Perhaps there is still hope for you to return to normal. Don't give up so soon…"
Mu Yurou nodded quickly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"Yes… yes, we need to call Zu'er right now."
Xia Qingyue, who remained standing near the door with her usual impeccable posture, spoke in a calm and controlled voice: "He is coming. This Qingyue can sense that he is heading toward the courtyard at this very moment."
There was a soft, almost imperceptible glow in her eyes when she mentioned her husband—a trace of warmth that contrasted with the usual coldness of her expression. It was the only visible sign that, even at that moment, her mind and heart belonged entirely to her husband.
Feng Xue'er immediately raised her gaze upon hearing this. Her face lit up with a mixture of relief and anxiety. Her fingers relaxed on the hem of her dress, and she turned slightly toward the entrance of the room, as though she could sense his approach even from afar—which, for a profound practitioner at the peak of the world, was quite simple.
The two of them had remained in the palace for the past few hours, worried about Ren Zu, who had fallen unconscious after saving the Demon Imperial City. Fortunately, it had taken no more than a few hours for him to awaken.
When they sensed that he had woken up and reunited with the Little Demon Empress, both hesitated to go meet him. Especially since shortly afterward, the two began engaging in intimate activities—something that inevitably stirred a faint jealousy in both women. Even so, wanting to leave them alone, they decided to come here instead.
Feng Xue'er wanted to see how Yun Che was doing, and Xia Qingyue ended up accompanying her, as she too wished to take a look for herself.
Both of them had a past with him. Although they no longer harbored feelings for Yun Che, it was still natural that they would feel some trace of complex emotion regarding this…
Using his own spiritual sense to cover the area, Yun Qinghong nodded slowly and replied to Xia Qingyue's words: "Then let's wait for him here. Che'er… just hold on a little longer. Zu'er will help you."
Yun Che did not respond.
His eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, empty.
He wanted to die…
_________________________
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