Chapter 1289: A Horse Cannot Grow Fat Without Night Grass

The Divine Emperor Buya’s eyes were cold and ferocious. Though he was staring at Dongbo Xueying, he remained vigilant of his surroundings, wary of another Divine Emperor suddenly emerging from the shadows—or perhaps one hidden within the cave treasure carried by this Qingyun Divine Monarch.

“Hmm, what kind of look is that?” Buya Divine Emperor thought as he swung his claws, intending to crush the black-robed youth before him into dust. Yet, instead of fear, he saw only calm in the eyes of the Qingyun Divine Monarch, who stood serenely upon the river’s surface—his gaze tinged with pity.

Pity? Directed at him?

Buya Divine Emperor couldn’t comprehend it.

**”Boom.”**

In the next instant, everything around him changed. The world expanded into an endless, vast realm teeming with countless living beings, many of whom he recognized from his long years of existence. They seemed to be speaking to him, their voices pulling at his soul with an irresistible force, dragging him deeper into this illusion.

As a Divine Emperor, Buya was powerless to resist, but his mind remained lucid. He knew that if he allowed himself to be pulled into this boundless world, it would be the end.

**”No—!”** Fear and desperation surged within him. He struggled, fought—but to no avail.

In this illusory realm, the heavens themselves unleashed a killing intent. Invisible forces tore through his soul, slicing it apart effortlessly until it was utterly annihilated.

In his final moments, Buya Divine Emperor recalled that pitying gaze from the Qingyun Divine Monarch.

**”To die without even knowing who your true opponent was.”** Dongbo Xueying watched as the once-mighty Buya Divine Emperor’s aura instantly faded, leaving behind only the remnants of his lifeless body.

But Buya was not the only one.

Fengxiao Divine Emperor, standing not far away, had been watching with cold amusement, anticipating the Qingyun Divine Monarch’s demise. Yet, the same terrifying illusory world descended upon him as well.

…

Dongbo Xueying had dealt with both Divine Emperors in a single instant.

Originally, he had only intended to kill Buya Divine Emperor. But Fengxiao Divine Emperor, infamous in Jiangyuan City for his cruelty, was hardly innocent. Killing him was merely a matter of convenience. Had Fengxiao been righteous, Dongbo Xueying might have spared him—but then, Buya would never have sought his help in the first place.

Now, both had fallen into Dongbo Xueying’s hands.

**”Hmph.”** Standing upon the river, Dongbo Xueying waved a hand, collecting the corpses and treasures of both Divine Emperors.

**”Jiangyuan City is one of the most prominent cities in the entire Divine Realm. With countless lives and endless conflicts, who would notice a battle like this?”** He mused. Unlike the Heartworld Continent, this world lacked the ability to observe battles from afar—no long-range scrying, no spatial penetration. Even the range of divine senses was limited.

To witness a battle, one had to be close.

Dongbo Xueying doubted anyone had noticed his actions.

**”Even if it were exposed, it wouldn’t matter. The identity of ‘Qingyun Divine Monarch’ is merely a disguise.”** With a faint smile, he tore open a subtle rift in the void and vanished into the night.

…

The eldest of the Baxue Brothers was fleeing at full speed toward Tianxin Tower.

**”Third Brother, suppress the Bloodshadow Poison! Hold on!”** The eldest brother was frantic, his avatar inside the cave treasure desperately tending to his sibling. **”Tianxin Tower specializes in intelligence. They must have a way to cure you!”**

Then—

His expression twisted in shock as he glanced back. **”The soul mark… it’s gone?”**

The soul mark they had placed on Buya Divine Emperor—an indelible imprint on his very soul—had vanished.

**”The mark only fades if the soul is extinguished… Could Buya be dead?”** The eldest brother couldn’t believe it. Just moments ago, Buya and Fengxiao had nearly crushed them. Buya had even mastered the formidable ‘Blackgold Immortal Body.’ And now—gone?

**”First, I must stabilize Third Brother. Once the poison is under control, I’ll investigate. I’ll find a tracking expert to confirm whether Buya is truly dead.”**

He still refused to accept it.

…

Far from Jiangyuan City, in another town comparable to Junshan City—

Dongbo Xueying had barely stepped out of a Great Void Rift when he found himself inside a private meditation chamber. A female cultivator, startled by his sudden appearance, barely had time to react before he erased her memory with a thought.

Silently, he slipped out of the estate.

Soon, he found himself in a bustling tavern along the city streets.

**”A place this lively must serve good food and wine.”** Smiling, he took a seat and ordered their nine most famous dishes along with two jugs of their finest liquor.

The tavern was filled with patrons, most at the Divine General level, some even weaker—mere ‘Celestial Gods,’ the lowest tier of power in the Divine Realm. Newborns were considered Celestial Gods, and only a fraction ever advanced to Divine General rank.

**”Not bad.”** Dongbo Xueying savored the unique flavors while his consciousness delved into the cave treasure, inspecting his spoils.

First, he retrieved the three manuals from Buya Divine Emperor’s belongings.

**”The ‘Voidworm Codex’ is mine.”** Satisfied, he moved on to the rest.

**”Buya’s reputation wasn’t for nothing. He’s publicly known to have killed at least two Divine Emperors—likely more in secret.”** If Buya had assassinated others, he wouldn’t have advertised it. The more notorious he became, the more enemies he’d attract.

Then—

**”Huh?”**

Inspecting Buya’s corpse, Dongbo Xueying discovered something embedded in his heart—a ‘Blackgold Pearl.’

**”This was one of the auction items, sold for three hundred and ninety pieces of Hunyuan Crystal Jade.”** He marveled. **”Did Buya buy it? Why embed it in his heart? Some secret technique?”**

Shrugging, he took a sip of wine. **”Doesn’t matter. To me, it’s just another valuable to sell.”**

After thoroughly cataloging both Buya’s and Fengxiao’s treasures, Dongbo Xueying couldn’t help but grin.

**”This is far more profitable than hunting direbeasts.”**

Killing direbeasts was easy—finding them was the hard part. Even with his Great Void Rift technique, he’d spent over a millennium searching, averaging only one peak Divine Monarch-level direbeast every decade.

But eliminating Buya and Fengxiao? A single thought, and it was done. The rewards were immense.

**”Fortune favors the bold.”**

Still, Dongbo Xueying had his principles. Had Buya not been a monster, he would have sought a fair trade rather than assassination.

As for hunting down all the fiends of the Divine Realm? In a world ruled by three Primordial Ancestors, discretion was wiser. Besides, his current haul was more than enough.

**”With these treasures, I can trade for cultivation manuals.”**

The Divine Realm had only one publicly known late-stage Divine Emperor manual for Void Path Ascendants—and it was strictly guarded. His current wealth couldn’t persuade its owner to make an exception.

**”But there are two mid-stage Divine Emperor manuals in circulation. Perhaps I can trade for one—or even both, if I’m lucky.”**

Sipping his wine in the tavern’s corner, Dongbo Xueying allowed himself a rare moment of anticipation.