Chapter 1167: The Opening, the Battle of the Divine Sealing
“Yun Che, have you ever told anyone which star you were born on?” Mu Bingyun asked.
She was flying with him very slowly. Yun Che’s mind was set on seeing the person he wanted to see, while her intention was to quickly take Yun Che away, neither of them focused on the Battle of the Divine Sealing. Over the years, this was the first time she had gone to such lengths for someone. After all, Yun Che was her savior, and helping him meet the Tiansha Xingshen was originally a promise she had made back then. Mu Xuanyin’s repeated reminders were only a secondary reason.
Yun Che thought for a moment and said, “Other than you, Master, and Junior Sister Xiaolan, no one else knows... Oh, on my first day at the Cold Snow Hall, I did mention to Feng Mo that I was from the Lan Ji Star, but it was just a casual remark. He should have forgotten by now.”
When he first arrived at the Yin Xue Realm, he never could have imagined the present, so he was basically without any caution back then. But afterwards, he never mentioned his home star again.
Mu Bingyun gently nodded: “That’s good. Because of what you did yesterday, your name has spread widely. Now, throughout the entire Dong Shen Domain, countless people want to see who this person at the first level of the Divine Tribulation Realm who entered the Battle of the Divine Sealing is. After today, not only your name but probably your appearance will be known to everyone. People who are interested in you might inquire, or even investigate your origins. You must remember that your home star is called... ‘Neptune’.”
Mu Bingyun said a star name that presumably did not exist.
“...Understood.” Yun Che obeyed.
“I’ll send a voice transmission to your master and have her quietly spread the news in the Yin Xue Realm that you come from ‘Neptune’. That way, even if someone takes special notice of you and wants to investigate your origins, they won’t find anything.”
“Mm.” Yun Che nodded, deeply moved in his heart. When he first arrived in the God Realm, he was like a speck of dust drifting into a vast ocean. How could he have ever imagined that one day he would become so famous in this world, attracting the attention of those at the very highest levels?
...Even if it wasn’t a good reputation.
Especially today, when he had directly forfeited the match, he would surely attract countless sighs and ridicule... and this would be across the entire Dong Shen Domain.
But it didn’t matter at all... I never belonged to this world.
“By the way, Ice Cloud Palace Master, all four Divine Emperors showed up this time, and the Dragon Emperor and a Divine Emperor from the Nan Shen Domain also came. What was the major matter they discussed? And what does this Xuan Shen Assembly have to do with that ‘major matter’?” Yun Che asked.
Mu Bingyun looked forward: “It is indeed a major matter, but it’s beyond what you or I can reach. The Feng Shen Platform is almost here. If you’re interested, I’ll tell you about it another time.”
The Feng Shen Platform was already in sight. Just then, from another direction, two figures flew over quickly.
Jun Wuming and Jun Xilei!
Meeting the sword master and his disciple, Mu Bingyun slowed down and gave a slight bow: “Senior Sword Lord.”
Although there was some awkwardness due to the Yin Xue Realm incident, the Sword Lord was still a highly respected and powerful senior in the Dong Shen Domain, so Mu Bingyun did not neglect courtesy.
“...” Jun Wuming did not speak, but he nodded in acknowledgment, then quickly passed by.
“That Yun Che, how can there be such a detestable person in this world? Every time I see him, I wish I could kill him with my own hands.” Jun Xilei gritted her teeth in hatred. She had been training in the sword way with Jun Wuming and had always maintained a calm heart, but when faced with Yun Che, a murderous intent would suddenly arise within her.
“And he repeatedly uses despicable and shameless tactics, yet he still manages to enter the Battle of the Divine Sealing. As a disciple, I deeply feel ashamed. But the Zhou Tian Realm just...”
“Lei’er,” Jun Wuming said, “Never underestimate...”
He understood far better than Jun Xilei just how astonishing the concept of “Shadow Concealment” was, but thinking of Jun Xilei’s hatred for Yun Che, he sighed inwardly and changed the subject: “Never underestimate any opponent. The Battle of the Divine Sealing is ahead. Do not let other thoughts distract you.”
“...Yes.” Jun Xilei snapped back to attention and quickly calmed her mind.
When Mu Bingyun and Yun Che arrived, almost all the major star realms had gathered on the Feng Shen Platform. As soon as Yun Che appeared, countless gazes of all kinds swept over him in unison.
After a day of fermentation, Yun Che’s level of attention had reached an astonishing degree. Whether out of curiosity or waiting to see a joke, this super anomaly who had barged into the Battle of the Divine Sealing with the profound strength of the Divine Tribulation Realm had undoubtedly become the first major highlight of the battle.
As for the other Divine Sealing children, most of them just snorted coldly, their disdain evident.
Yun Che did not go to the preparation area. Instead, he directly sat down in the Yin Xue Realm’s seating area, enduring all kinds of stares without any change in expression. The others from the Yin Xue Realm, however, were all extremely uneasy.
“Brother Yun,” from the adjacent seating came Huo Poyun’s voice. He too had directly sat down in the Yan Shen Realm’s seating area and said sincerely, “In the Battle of the Divine Sealing, we must give it our all. At the very least, we should have no regrets. I believe in Brother Yun’s strength... No matter the outcome, it will definitely shock them.”
Yun Che smiled and nodded, but did not reply.
“Yun’er, in this Battle of the Divine Sealing, aside from you and Yun Che, everyone else comes from upper star realms. In previous Battles of the Divine Sealing, it was basically monopolized by the upper star realms. As for that rascal Yun Che... forget it. You must do your utmost, not only for our Yan Shen Realm but also to win glory for all middle star realms.” Huo Rulie instructed.
“No, there’s one more,” Yan Juehai interjected. “That young man named Wei Hen. He should not be from an upper star realm either. But why would he hide his origins in a matter that could bring him fame and glory for a lifetime? And even his name should be fake.”
“Who cares,” Huo Rulie said indifferently. “If the Zhou Tian Realm really wants to investigate his origins, it’s just a matter of minutes.”
Before long, the four Divine Emperors arrived together, followed shortly by Shitian Shendi and the Dragon Emperor.
“Oh? This old man thought that the Dragon Emperor would not be interested in this Battle of the Divine Sealing.” Zhou Tian Shen Di said with a smile.
“Hehe, since I’m already here, how could I not witness the heroic bearing of the younger generation of the Dong Shen Domain with my own eyes?” The Dragon Emperor smiled.
“Anyway, there’s nothing else to do, so I might as well take a look.” Shitian Shendi said with a grin. “Tsk, who knows, maybe something as interesting as yesterday will happen again.”
“Hmph, suit yourself.” Zhou Tian Shen Di was not as polite with Cang Shitian as he had been yesterday.
“Quhui, begin!”
The time had come. The Feng Shen Platform shimmered with profound light. A beam of light shot up, reaching a height of a hundred zhang. On the light screen, thirty-two names were neatly engraved.
The Thirty-Two Divine Sealing Children!
Quhui Zunzhe was not only the host of the third preliminary round but also presided over the Battle of the Divine Sealing. He stood in the air above the center of the Feng Shen Platform, his eyes like cold swords, his might awe-inspiring and chilling.
Quhui Zunzhe began to recite the customary long speech for the Battle of the Divine Sealing, introducing the names of this generation’s Thirty-Two Divine Sealing Children.
Finally, he shifted his tone:
“This year’s Battle of the Divine Sealing, as in previous years, adopts the ‘double elimination system’. Those who remain undefeated will stay in the ‘Feng Shen Group’. Those who lose for the first time will fall into the ‘Loser’s Group’. A second defeat leads to elimination! The opponent for each match will be randomly assigned by the Judgment Mystic Array.”
“Unconsciousness, surrender, consecutive or severe rule violations, or failure to enter the battlefield within fifteen breaths after the start of the battle will all be judged as defeat.” Quhui Zunzhe’s gaze turned stern as he pointed to the three-hundred-mile Feng Shen Platform below: “Being knocked out of the Feng Shen area will also be adjudged as defeat!”
“Combatants are not allowed to use contracted profound beasts, special profound implements including protective profound implements, or any pills. However, weapons are not restricted in any way!”
“If, due to certain special reasons, a winner cannot be determined within a short time, the decision will be made by the Divine Emperors!”
“Furthermore, during the battle, you must exert your full strength. Injuries are inevitable, and no one may seek retribution. However, if one party has already conceded, the attack must stop immediately. Intentional killing due to personal grudges is strictly prohibited... Hmph, don’t think you can fool the eyes of this venerable one and the Divine Emperors.”
“Finally...” Quhui Zunzhe scanned the surroundings and said slowly, “Let me repeat the rule that you should all know: No matter what situation arises during the battle, if intervention is necessary, this venerable one will act accordingly... No one else may intervene! Otherwise, do not blame this venerable one for showing no mercy!”
Quhui Zunzhe’s words were stern, and everyone present felt a chill in their hearts. But in truth, such a reminder was unnecessary. Who would dare to forcefully intervene during the Battle of the Divine Sealing, right under the noses of the Divine Emperors?
The entire audience watched silently, except for Yun Che, who kept looking around, especially at the Xing Shen Realm’s seating area. He scanned it over and over...
But he did not see Mo Li’s figure, nor did he sense her aura.
She will definitely come. She must be on her way here right now—Yun Che repeated this in his heart.
“Today’s sixteen initial matches will not result in any eliminations, but they will affect your fate in tomorrow’s battles.” Quhui Zunzhe descended and landed in front of the giant light screen: “The sixteen victors will enter the ‘Feng Shen Group’, and the sixteen losers will enter the ‘Loser’s Group’. Your opponents for today will be determined by this Judgment Mystic Array!”
As soon as Quhui Zunzhe’s voice fell, the light screen behind him flashed sharply. The names of the Thirty-Two Divine Sealing Children disappeared simultaneously.
When they reappeared, they were arranged in pairs!
The first round matchups for the Battle of the Divine Sealing were presented clearly before the eyes of everyone on the Feng Shen Platform and, through the projection of the Star Monument, were reflected to every corner of the Dong Shen Domain.
First Match: Yan Shen Realm [Huo Poyun] — vs — Futian Realm [Lu Chenyuan]
“First match!? Yun’er, you’re in the very first match!”
As soon as the matchup list appeared, Huo Rulie let out a loud shout and stood up excitedly. Yun Che looked up and saw that the first name on the list was Huo Poyun.
And his opponent came from one of the three strongest star realms—the Futian Realm!
“Lu Chenyuan, the younger brother of Lu Lengchuan, one of the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain, the seventy-third son of the Futian Realm’s Realm King. He is forty-seven years old and has a cultivation of the Divine Spirit Realm, Level Eight.” Yan Juehai frowned and murmured, “Poyun is not only the first to take the field, but he is also faced with such a powerful opponent from the very start.”
“Indeed, a formidable opponent.” Huo Rulie also took a deep breath, but he did not show any nervousness. Instead, he laughed heartily, “Yun’er, your master is already proud of you for making it this far. Win or lose in this battle, it doesn’t matter. Just give it your all.”
“Master, rest assured. Your disciple never fears any opponent.” Faced with the oppressive name of Lu Chenyuan, Huo Poyun was fearless. Then, his eyes suddenly widened and he blurted out, “What a coincidence... Brother Yun! You’re in the very next match!”
As Huo Poyun spoke, Yun Che had already seen his own name:
Second Match: Shengyu Realm [Luo Chang'an] — vs — Yin Xue Realm [Yun Che]
It was indeed a coincidence that he and Huo Poyun were in the first and second matches respectively. And his opponent... Luo Chang'an, son of the Shengyu Realm’s Realm King and elder brother of Luo Changsheng, the head of the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain!
Yun Che and Huo Poyun, the only two participants from middle star realms, were not only placed in the first two matches, but their opponents were both from the three strongest star realms—Shengyu, Liuguang, and Futian.
However, compared to Yun Che’s opponent, Luo Chang'an at the Divine Spirit Realm Level Six, Huo Poyun’s opponent, Lu Chenyuan, was clearly much stronger.
But who the opponent was made no difference to Yun Che. However, at that moment, his heart suddenly leaped.
What is...
He shot his head up, his gaze instantly locking onto a single person.
Wei Hen!
He was staring intently at the light screen. This person, whose face was always stiff and cold, seemingly devoid of emotion, now had a slightly twisted expression. His pupils were fixed on the screen, and his clenched hands were trembling faintly.
The power he had always kept hidden was also slightly out of control under his overly intense excitement.
Yun Che’s gaze quickly returned to the light screen.
Third Match: [Wei Hen] — vs — Jinglei Realm [Li Jianming]
Jinglei Realm... Li Jianming?
Why did he suddenly react like that?
Could it be such a coincidence... that this person named Li Jianming is exactly his target!?
————————————————————
[The system was under maintenance in the early morning, which seems to have caused some issues with the scheduled post?]
: 。: