Chapter 1048: Everything

Hearing Yama Dharmaraja's words, Sovereign Chu's expression instantly became incredibly grim. He hadn't expected Yama Dharmaraja to go so far just to protect Ye Guan.

The three black-robed men were also a bit surprised.

Yama Dharmaraja was willing to go against the Devourer Civilization for the young swordsman? Something was clearly wrong here.

The three black-robed men exchanged glances before staring at Sovereign Chu. The final decision was in the hands of Sovereign Chu.

Yama Dharmaraja stared at Sovereign Chu with calm eyes, but behind that calmness was churning killing intent.

A war between two civilizations was a significant issue, but if it were for this Young Master Ye, it would be worth it. He had already prepared for the worst-case scenario!

Sovereign Chu was silent for a moment. After glancing at both Yama Dharmaraja and Ye Guan, he turned around and left.

When they left, Yama Dharmaraja turned to Ye Guan and smiled. "Young Master Ye, let's go."

Ye Guan replied, "Senior, I've caused you trouble."

Yama Dharmaraja shook his head. "What are you talking about, Young Master Ye? I'm just happy that you sought me out. Let's go."

The two vanished into thin air.

***

Soon, Yama Dharmaraja brought Ye Guan to the endless starry sky of the Gui Zhe Civilization. Upon arrival, Ye Guan was immediately stunned. He had been here before, as this was where he had received the Tianxing Ruler's inheritance.

Noticing Ye Guan's expression, Yama Dharmaraja was a bit surprised. "Have you been here before, my young friend?"

Ye Guan nodded. He looked at the end of the starry sky and saw a pitch-black void. "When I received the Tianxing Ruler Civilization's inheritance, I fought with some meteors here."

Yama Dharmaraja smiled. "I see."

Ye Guan looked at Yama Dharmaraja. "Senior, is that the Multiverse over there?"

Yama Dharmaraja nodded. "Yes."

"Have people from the low-tier civilizations been there?"

Yama Dharmaraja thought for a moment before answering, "Aside from your aunt and her group, as far as I know, only one and a half people have had the strength to cross over from this side to that side.

"The first was the Chaotic Ancient Emperor, who studied the forbidden Book of Time and was quite powerful. The 'half' is the founder of the Tianxing Civilization. His strength is also formidable. If we hadn't stopped him, he could have crossed over, but compared to the Chaotic Ancient Emperor, he was a bit lacking."

"I understand."

Just then, a myriad of fiery meteors appeared in the distance.

Yama Dharmaraja pressed down with his right hand, and the meteors vanished without a trace. Then, he turned to Ye Guan and smiled. "Let's go."

Ye Guan nodded.

Soon, Yama Dharmaraja led Ye Guan deep into the vast starry sky.

***

In the depths of the vast expanse stood a pagoda. It towered ten thousand meters high and was surrounded by endless black mist. It was none other than the Devourer Pagoda!

A group of people appeared in front of the pagoda.

It was Sovereign Chu and the others.

Sovereign Chu led the three black-robed men toward the pagoda, but as they approached, a swordsman suddenly blocked their path. The swordsman wore white robes and carried a sword box on his back. His gaze was as calm as still water, without the slightest ripple.

Sovereign Chu bowed slightly. "Sovereign Baixiang, I request an audience with the Ruler."

The white-robed swordsman shook his head.

Sovereign Chu frowned but said nothing and stepped aside to wait quietly.

After a long time, the white-robed swordsman gestured.

Sovereign Chu bowed again and proceeded toward the pagoda.

Soon, Sovereign Chu reached the top of the pagoda. Upon entering, he saw a lady sitting by the window. She was dressed in a black gown, and her long hair—as dark as ink—draped behind her. An ancient scroll was in her hands.

There was a seemingly infinite starry sky outside the window.

Sovereign Chu bowed deeply, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Ruler Qi."

The lady nodded slightly. "Speak."

"Yama Dharmaraja..." Sovereign Chu proceeded to recount his encounter.

The lady only nodded and said nothing.

Sovereign Chu hesitated. "Master, this matter..."

The lady put down the ancient scroll and turned to look at Sovereign Chu.

Sovereign Chu immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

The lady stared at Sovereign Chu and said gently, "Sovereign Chu, why do you think Yama Dharmaraja is protecting that youth? And why is he willing to go against us for that?"

Sovereign Chu hesitated for a moment, and then he shook his head. "I am also quite confused."

The lady smiled. "You're letting your anger cloud your judgement, so you can't view this situation rationally. Yama Dharmaraja must have something to gain from protecting that swordsman, and it is enough to make him oppose the Devourer Civilization.

"It could be financial benefits, or it could be connections and relationships."

Sovereign Chu frowned slightly. "Benefits from connections and relationships?"

The lady smiled. "What kind of connections or background would it take for Yama Dharmaraja to oppose the Devourer Civilization?"

Sovereign Chu's expression changed.

The lady spoke gently, "We have some conflict with that young swordsman, but it's a trivial issue; it does not affect our core interests. If there's no real conflict over those, why must we insist on killing him?"

Sovereign Chu replied gravely, "Master, you're right. However, we've already lost several cultivators..."

The lady glanced at him. "Are you talking about our pride?"

"Yes."

"If the people behind him were from a Tier Seven Civilization, would you still care about pride?"

Sovereign Chu froze.

The lady looked at him. "Does it seem impossible?"

Sovereign Chu nodded. "That... should be unlikely."

"But what if it's true?"

Sovereign Chu's face darkened, but he said nothing.

The lady put down her scroll and stood up slowly. "I also think it's unlikely, but what if? For this youth to warrant Yama Dharmaraja personally receiving him, his identity must be extraordinary.

"If we confront him without knowing his background, what if the people behind him are from a Tier Seven Civilization? Or what if he's backed by top-tier experts who have transcended the boundaries of realms?"

Sovereign Chu bowed deeply. "Master, your wisdom is profound. I was rash."

The lady smiled. "Underestimating him the first time was a mistake, but making the same mistake repeatedly is foolish. Come with me to the Gui Zhe Civilization."

With that, the lady walked out of the pagoda.

Sovereign Chu hurriedly stepped aside to clear the way.

Soon, the two vanished from the pagoda.

***

Ye Guan followed Yama Dharmaraja to the Gui Zhe Civilization. Yama Dharmaraja led him into a grand hall. As soon as Ye Guan stepped in, he was stunned, for there were thirteen people kneeling inside, led by none other than Zhang Nan.

When Zhang Nan saw Ye Guan, her expression immediately changed, and she trembled. "Young Master Ye..."

Zhang Nan finally realized how foolish she was to make that kind of decision. She had gravely underestimated how much Yama Dharmaraja valued Young Master Ye.

Ye Guan glanced at Yama Dharmaraja, who smiled and said, "I was in a secret realm earlier, so I had my subordinates welcome you, but I didn't expect them to take matters into their own hands and leave you behind.

"Fortunately, nothing happened. Otherwise..."

Yama Dharmaraja looked at the white-armored lady and the others. The white-armored lady began pleading for mercy, but with a wave of his sleeve, she was reduced to nothingness.

Zhang Nan was still alive because Yama Dharmaraja wanted to kill her in front of Ye Guan.

The twelve guards trembled in terror at the sight.

Yama Dharmaraja glanced at the twelve guards and said, "You may leave."

The twelve guards bowed respectfully and quickly withdrew.

Yama Dharmaraja turned to Ye Guan and was about to speak when a black-robed elder suddenly appeared before him.

The elder bowed slightly and said, "Venerable, Ruler Qi has arrived."

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Ruler Qi...

Yama Dharmaraja's brow furrowed immediately.

Ye Guan asked, "Do you have guests?"

Yama Dharmaraja looked at Ye Guan and said, "Ruler Qi is the Ruler of the Devourer Civilization."

Ye Guan was stunned.

What the hell? The ruler of the Devourer Civilization is here.

"Don't worry, Young Master Ye." Yama Dharmaraja smiled. "The Gui Zhe Civilization will stand by your side. Let's go meet Ruler Qi."

Ye Guan nodded. "Alright."

Soon, Yama Dharmaraja led Ye Guan into another grand hall. As soon as they entered, Ye Guan saw Sovereign Chu. A lady dressed in a black gown was sitting next to him.

The lady looked dignified and composed, but from her appearance alone, it was hard to believe that she was the ruler of a Tier Six Civilization.

When Ruler Qi saw Ye Guan and Yama Dharmaraja, she immediately stood up. Her gaze fell on Ye Guan, and she smiled. "You must be Young Master Ye. You are indeed a fine young man."

Ye Guan glanced at her. "You are beautiful yourself."

Sovereign Chu frowned deeply.

However, Ruler Qi wasn't offended. Instead, she smiled and said, "Thank you."

Yama Dharmaraja suddenly smiled and said, "Ruler Qi, what brings you here today?"

Ruler Qi walked up to Ye Guan, and Yama Dharmaraja's smile gradually faded.

Ruler Qi stood close to Ye Guan and smiled, "Young Master Ye, there seems to have been a misunderstanding between the Devourer Civilization and yourself. I've come to apologize."

Sovereign Chu then stepped forward, bowing deeply to Ye Guan. "Young Master Ye, I apologize for any offense caused."

Both Ye Guan and Yama Dharmaraja were surprised.

They hadn't expected this at all.

Ye Guan frowned deeply. Something was off—this didn't feel right.

Ruler Qi suddenly said, "Young Master Ye, I've heard you have a sword. Might I take a look?"

Ye Guan looked at Ruler Qi.

Ruler Qi's gaze was clear, and a smile tugged at her lips; she was very polite.

Instead of refusing, Ye Guan handed over the Qingxuan Sword to her. Ruler Qi examined it for a moment, and then she handed it back with a smile. "Young Master Ye, would you be willing to sell this sword to me?"

Ye Guan smiled. "How much are you willing to offer?"

Ruler Qi stared at Ye Guan. "Everything the Devourer Civilization has to offer."

Sovereign Chu was stupefied.

Has Ruler Qi gone mad? Had she fallen for this guy because he's handsome?