Chapter 1251: The Divine Emperor's Dispute (Part 2)
"Hehe," Zhou Tian Shen Di said with a slight smile: "The words of Fantian Shen Di, I do not deny. But it seems Fantian Shen Di has not fully understood my meaning."
He looked at Yun Che, his expression gentle and his gaze warm: "I absolutely do not merely intend to bring Yun Che into my Zhou Tian Realm, but rather... accept him as my personal disciple!"
Zhou Tian Shen Di's casually spoken words yet again exploded like thunderclaps in everyone's ears.
Even the Guardians, Quhui Zunzhe, and others abruptly raised their heads, their faces filled with shock.
Becoming a person of the Zhou Tian God Realm, and becoming the personal disciple of the Zhou Tian Realm King — these were two completely different concepts, as different as heaven and earth.
Because the latter... was a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor!
Entering the Zhou Tian God Realm, with Yun Che's current cultivation level, he would only end up at the bottom. But a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor... in terms of status, it was almost comparable to a Guardian!
And in the Zhou Tian Realm, Guardians were second only to Zhou Tian Shen Di himself.
"Ah... ah... ah..." The disciples and Palace Masters of the Yin Xue Realm all had their mouths wide open, their jaws hanging for a long time in shock.
"P-personal... personal... disciple?" Mu Huanzhi tightly gripped his beard with his right hand, his face twitching in pain, yet he still couldn't believe his ears.
Entering a King Realm — the dream of all Xuan practitioners. And becoming a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor — this was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of!
"My god..." Huo Rulie's eyes widened. A personal disciple of Zhou Tian Shen Di — his status would be absolutely no less than any Upper Realm King. As for them, middle-grade Realm Kings... they could simply be dismissed with contempt!
"Hahahaha!" While the entire audience was stunned, Fantian Shen Di laughed calmly: "What a coincidence. I also happen to be lacking a personal disciple."
The moment Fantian Shen Di spoke these words, the chins that had barely managed not to fall off just now crashed heavily to the ground.
Yun Che: "..."
Zhou Tian Shen Di turned his gaze and smiled faintly: "On the path of Xuan Dao, I might indeed be slightly inferior to you, Fantian Shen Di. However, your achievements, Fantian Shen Di, are all because you have been obsessed with cultivation your entire life, with undivided attention, never willing to spare your mental energy on the younger generation. If my memory serves me correctly, you have never had a personal disciple before."
"Therefore, in the art of teaching, I fear you, Fantian Shen Di, are far inferior to me."
"Hahahaha," Fantian Shen Di let out a loud laugh: "Zhou Tian Shen Di, your words are mistaken. The reason I have never taken a personal disciple is not because I was unwilling, but because no one was worthy! And if it's someone like Yun Che, with such unparalleled talent, I would not only be willing to personally instruct him, but would do so with all my might."
"Furthermore, although I have never had a personal disciple, it is not as you, Zhou Tian Shen Di, claim that I have never taught anyone." His gaze turned to Qianye Ying'er, his face showing pride: "Ying'er was personally taught by me back then. Her achievements today, I'm afraid, are slightly above those of your many children and grandchildren, Zhou Tian Shen Di."
Qianye Ying'er: "..."
The Feng Shen Platform was completely silent, with no other sounds except the voices of the two Divine Emperors.
"..." Zhou Tian Shen Di was silent for a short moment. He knew very well that Qianye Ying'er's cultivation level was far from being merely "slightly above" his children and grandchildren.
Fantian Shen Di took a step forward and continued: "But precisely because I have been obsessed with cultivation my entire life, in terms of understanding of the Xuan Dao, I dare say I surpass anyone in the Eastern Divine Region."
"My Fandi God Realm is the number one King Realm in the Eastern Divine Region. In history, foundation, and accumulated wealth, it slightly surpasses your Zhou Tian God Realm. In all kinds of precious elixirs and divine jades, I fear no one can match us either."
Fantian Shen Di smiled faintly: "I dare not say a thousand miles in a single day, but I can assert that if Yun Che becomes my disciple, within a hundred years, he will surely become a Divine Lord!"
Within a hundred years, he will surely become a Divine Lord... These eight words spoken from Fantian Shen Di's mouth shocked the souls of all the Xuan practitioners present.
"Hehe, a hundred years?" Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled: "Fantian Shen Di, do you know how long your 'hundred years' would be in my Zhou Tian Realm?"
He extended a finger: "Merely one month."
"The Zhou Tian Pearl is indeed a heaven-bestowed supreme treasure of the Zhou Tian Realm, capable of allowing a person to reach their peak in the 'shortest' time. But Yun Che is the Chosen of Heaven; he already has the qualification to enter the Zhou Tian Pearl." Fantian Shen Di did not yield an inch: "After three thousand years in the Zhou Tian Realm, the power of the Zhou Tian Pearl is probably exhausted by now. Surely you don't mean that the Zhou Tian Pearl will still have the power to allow Yun Che to enter again then?"
"No, no," Zhou Tian Shen Di shook his head: "Fantian Shen Di seems to have forgotten. The originally fixed one thousand Chosen of Heaven, due to the emergence of a demon named 'Wei Hen,' left only nine hundred and ninety-eight people. Although Li Jianming unfortunately died on the Feng Shen Platform, his identity remains. But Wei Hen left a vacancy, and this vacancy..."
Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled slightly: "If Yun Che becomes my personal disciple, I will enter the Zhou Tian Pearl together with him and teach and guide Yun Che in the Zhou Tian Divine Realm... This is something you, Fantian Shen Di, probably cannot do."
"..." Fantian Shen Di's brow furrowed.
On the Feng Shen Platform, countless mouths were wide open, staring dumbfounded at the dispute between the two Divine Emperors. Fantian Shen Di and Zhou Tian Shen Di — the two most extreme figures in terms of Xuan Dao, power, and prestige in the Eastern Divine Region — were now contending for a personal disciple, confronting each other with their momentum, sparring with words, and even unreservedly recommending their own advantages and revealing their own foundations... The dignified Zhou Tian Shen Di had even brought out the Zhou Tian Pearl.
In the history of the Eastern Divine Region, such a "bizarre" scene had never appeared before, nor had anyone ever received such an honor.
Xing Shendi and Yue Shen Di both sat in their original positions, neither saying a word. How could they not want to take Yun Che away? But... among the four King Realms of the Eastern Divine Region, the Fandi God Realm had the strongest Xuan Dao, the Zhou Tian Realm had the highest prestige, and the Xing Shen Realm and Yue Shen Realm were ultimately weaker than them. Fantian Shen Di and Zhou Tian Shen Di had already started shamelessly fighting over him; where was there any room for the Xing Shen Realm and Yue Shen Realm?
"Both of you, please calm down."
Long Huang spoke, his words soul-shaking. He looked at Yun Che and said: "Two Divine Emperors contending over a young man like this is quite a spectacle. But the outcome of this matter should be decided by Yun Che himself."
"Hehe, that's only natural." Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled: "Yun Che, my Zhou Tian Realm is the most righteous and upright place in the Eastern Divine Region. If you become my personal disciple, you will surely be qualified to inherit the will of Zhou Tian in the future and be looked up to by all beings in the Eastern Domain!"
"Heh," Fantian Shen Di chuckled lightly and said in a clear voice: "Yun Che, I care nothing about your ambitions and aspirations. But if you want to pursue the ultimate in the Xuan Dao, then come to my Fandi God Realm. Because I am the ultimate in the Xuan Dao of the Eastern Divine Region!"
The two most powerful Divine Emperors of the Eastern Divine Region, publicly contending to take a young Xuan practitioner from a middle-grade Star Realm as their personal disciple... Everyone present had their eyes bulging, their wide-open mouths unable to close no matter what.
After the two Divine Emperors finished speaking, their gazes burned intensely, locked onto Yun Che, as if afraid that Yun Che would not see their sincerity and passion. The majesty of a Divine Emperor? The reserve of a Divine Emperor? The face of a Divine Emperor... At this moment, all of it was nothing but dog shit.
This scene was also something Yun Che had not anticipated.
If it were anyone else, they would have been flattered and overjoyed long ago, barely able to contain their ecstasy. But after the initial shock, what everyone saw on Yun Che's face was merely a calm that was completely out of place.
Yun Che raised his hand and bowed, respectfully saying: "I am deeply honored and terrified by the favor of the two Divine Emperors. However... I already have a sect and a master. When I first entered the God Realm, it was my sect that took me in, and my master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, impossible to repay in a lifetime. If I were to betray them for the sake of my future, I would not only be sorry to my sect and master, but I believe that everyone under heaven, including the two Divine Emperors, would also think less of me."
Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled and said: "Yun Che, the fact that you have such thoughts shows that you are not someone who forgets gratitude for the sake of gain. This is very good. However, you need not worry at all. If you become my personal disciple, your sect and master will not be shamed in the slightest. On the contrary, they will be filled with boundless glory. No one will have any criticism of you; they will only respect and envy you."
There was not a single false word in Zhou Tian Shen Di's statement. If Yun Che had betrayed the Ice Phoenix God Sect to join another sect, given his status as the sect master's personal disciple, it would undoubtedly have incurred the Ice Phoenix God Sect's fury. But what places were the Zhou Tian Realm and the Fandi God Realm? A personal disciple of a Divine Emperor coming from the Ice Phoenix God Sect — what an honor this was for the Ice Phoenix God Sect! The status of the entire Yin Xue Realm in the Eastern Divine Region would also skyrocket because of this.
The entire Yin Xue Realm was excited, their faces flushed red, waiting for the moment Yun Che agreed... oh no, made his choice. In anyone's view, Yun Che had no reason, nor could he possibly refuse.
But Yun Che still lowered his head and said with extreme calmness: "I come from the lower realm, my origins are humble. Being able to enter the Yin Xue Realm is already the greatest fortune of my life. I am unworthy to enter a sacred place like a King Realm. Moreover... I have deep attachment to my sect and master. I have never thought of leaving. Therefore... I can only disappoint the favor of the two Divine Emperors."
Zhou Tian Shen Di and Fantian Shen Di both furrowed their brows slightly. The entire Feng Shen Platform was also dumbfounded.
Yun Che's previous words, in anyone's view, were merely a prelude for himself, and they were also reasonable and justified. But what he was saying now... was clearly a refusal!?
Refusing to enter a King Realm, refusing to become a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor!?
"W-What is he saying? Has he gone mad?"
"A personal disciple of Zhou Tian Shen Di and Fantian Shen Di! Just this one identity alone would allow him to swagger through all Upper Star Realms. Others beg for it for a thousand lifetimes and can't get it... And he, he, he... is he refusing?"
"A King Realm and the Yin Xue Realm... the difference between clouds and mud! And he chose to stay in the Yin Xue Realm? Has his brain been fried?"
"Moreover, he might provoke the wrath of the two Divine Emperors... What exactly is he thinking?"
"Yun Che!" Mu Huanzhi was so anxious he almost jumped up: "What nonsense are you spouting! If you can become a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor, the Sect Master will definitely be happier than anyone else! You, you, you..."
Staying in the Yin Xue Realm, even if he became the number one of the Feng Shen Platform, he would ultimately only be a disciple of a middle-grade Star Realm. If he became a personal disciple of a Divine Emperor, he would have the backing of a Divine Emperor and a vast King Realm! The difference between the two was like the distance between heaven and earth.
Not to mention the differences in status, height, and future... Just one point: In this Feng Shen Battle, Yun Che had completely and utterly formed a grudge with the Shengyu Realm. If Yun Che had the backing of the Yin Xue Realm, and the Shengyu Realm wanted to retaliate, even if the Yin Xue Realm mobilized its entire realm's strength, it couldn't shield him. But if he had the backing of a King Realm... even if the Shengyu Realm had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to touch a single hair on Yun Che's head.
"Wasn't this kid always smart? How did he suddenly get kicked in the head?" Shui Qianheng shook his head. Yun Che had attracted the Nine Heavens Heavenly Tribulation and matched the prophecy of the "True God." This was bound to shock the entire God Realm. Countless pairs of eyes would be fixed on him. So for him right now, the thing he needed most was a powerful protective umbrella.
And he didn't want it!?
And even if he really had a brain freeze and didn't want it... Refusing two Divine Emperors publicly — this was no longer just a matter of a brain freeze!
But an even more incomprehensible scene appeared...
After being stunned, Zhou Tian Shen Di let out a gentle smile and said: "Having deep feelings for one's sect — this is certainly not a bad thing. This matter concerns your life, so it's only right to consider it carefully. Therefore, there's no need to answer today. After you have thought it over carefully, you can make your decision."
"..." A dignified Divine Emperor being publicly refused by a young Xuan practitioner — not angry, not annoyed, not even a cold face, and even speaking kindly!?
Fantian Shen Di, similarly without the slightest anger, smiled faintly. Just as he was about to speak, a thread of a woman's voice transmission suddenly reached his ears.
His expression changed, and he abruptly turned his head to look at Qianye Ying'er: "You... are you serious?"
Qianye Ying'er's lips curled slightly, her beautiful lips seeming to be coated with balsam flower juice, glistening and radiant: "The Nine Heavens Heavenly Tribulation, the prophecy of the True God... Isn't he worthy of my seriousness?"
"..." Fantian Shen Di turned around and said with a chuckle: "Yun Che, whether you enter my Fandi God Realm or not naturally must follow your wishes. If you are willing, I would be extremely delighted. If you are unwilling, I will certainly not force you. However... I have another matter I wish to ask."
"Do you... have a wife?"