Chapter 1271: Heading to the Moon God Realm
Xing Shendi was already standing before the dimensional profound formation. The only Star God by his side was the Heavenly Origin Star God, Tumi, and he was accompanied by merely four Star Guards—an extremely simple entourage.
For the Star God Realm, the Moon God Realm was hardly a good place, and they were definitely unwilling to show the Moon God Realm any more face than necessary. Xing Shendi's personal attendance this time was clearly just to witness with his own eyes the mysterious new Divine Empress.
For Yue Shendi to go to such lengths, no one would doubt that the new Moon God Divine Empress was bound to be extraordinary.
On the other hand, when he brought Yun Che to the Star God Realm, Zhou Tian Shen Di had given a deadline of fifteen days. But before leaving, Xing Shendi obviously had no intention of bringing Yun Che back—whether it was because he didn't want to face Mo Li's cold rejection, or he had some other plans.
However, just as he was about to step into the dimensional profound formation, his brows suddenly twitched, and he turned around.
Cai Zhi descended from the sky at extreme speed, then rather unceremoniously dropped Yun Che down, letting out a small sigh of relief: "Just in time, just in time. Almost ended up being late."
Yun Che stumbled slightly before steadying himself, then immediately bowed: "Junior Yun Che pays respects to Xing Shendi and Heavenly Origin Star God."
Two piercing gazes swept over Yun Che. "This king thought Mo Li would forcibly keep you here and was wondering how to explain it to Zhou Tian Shen Di."
Xing Shendi's tone was flat, impossible to read.
Cai Zhi immediately spoke with dissatisfaction: "Hmph, you don't understand Big Sister at all. She said fifteen days, so it's definitely fifteen days—not a single day less, not a single day more."
Mo Li harbored deep resentment toward Xing Shendi, and Cai Zhi was clearly not polite with him either.
"Hehe, that's always been Princess Mo Li's temperament," Tumi said with a chuckle, simultaneously shooting a meaningful glance at Xing Shendi.
"Yun Che," Xing Shendi continued to look at Yun Che, his gaze sharp enough to pierce sun and moon, as if searching for something on him, "How is your cultivation of the Star God Remnant Shadow?"
Yun Che immediately replied: "The Star God Remnant Shadow lives up to being one of the most supreme movement skills in the current world. Its subtleties and wonders surpass even the legends. Junior is fortunate to have received personal instruction from Tiansha Xingshen, but unfortunately time was too short, and my talent is limited. I have only barely glimpsed the basics, yet I am already immensely satisfied."
"Good." Xing Shendi nodded lightly. "Besides the Star God Remnant Shadow, have you gained anything else?"
Without any hesitation or evasion, Yun Che answered: "Junior was also fortunate enough to receive instruction from Princess Cai Zhi in the Celestial Wolf Prison God Scripture."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xing Shendi and Tumi only showed a flicker in their eyes, but the four accompanying Star Guards all changed expression drastically, their eyes revealing shock.
"Cai Zhi, did you really teach Yun Che the Celestial Wolf Prison God Scripture?" Xing Shendi frowned slightly, his voice clearly heavier.
"Yeah, that's right." Cai Zhi showed a completely unconcerned expression, as if she had only done something perfectly normal. "Big Sister told me to teach him, so of course I did. But, Brother Yun Che really lives up to being the 'Child of Heaven's Way.' I originally thought that since he doesn't have the Celestial Wolf Divine Power, he definitely wouldn't be able to learn it, but he actually learned it really fast. No wonder Big Sister was willing to keep him in the Star God Hall for so many days."
"..." Hearing Cai Zhi call out "Brother Yun Che" in her sweet voice, Yun Che felt a wave of awkwardness throughout his body... Could it be because he was used to her calling him "Brother-in-law"?
Xing Shendi glanced at Cai Zhi, then returned his gaze to Yun Che. After a brief silence, he asked: "Since Mo Li had Cai Zhi teach you the Celestial Wolf Prison God Scripture, did she also ask you and Cai Zhi to..."
"My King, the hour is near. We should set out earlier," the Heavenly Origin Star God Tumi suddenly interrupted, cutting off Xing Shendi's words, while shaking her head almost imperceptibly.
A complex, peculiar light flashed through Xing Shendi's eyes. He turned around without continuing the inquiry: "Very well, let's go."
"Huh?" Cai Zhi let out a soft exclamation of doubt.
Yun Che's brows moved, and a wave of confusion rose in his heart.
According to what Mo Li had said, she had already informed Xing Shendi about the matter of betrothing Cai Zhi to Yun Che, regardless of whether he agreed or not. Yun Che had long thought about how to respond to Xing Shendi's questions, but such a "major issue"—why did he just stop asking about it?
The interruption by the Heavenly Origin Star God was clearly deliberate, preventing Xing Shendi from continuing the topic... Xing Shendi hesitated for only half a breath before dropping the matter entirely.
What was going on? No matter how he thought about it, this seemed absolutely wrong.
He himself was the "Child of Heaven's Way" courted by the various king realms, with even divine maidens willing to marry him. The most normal reaction from Xing Shendi would be to use this matter to keep him in the Star God Realm—so why forcefully avoid it? Could it be that he felt the timing was wrong?
While Yun Che was pondering, they had already stepped into the dimensional profound formation. A mass of white light immediately enveloped Yun Che.
In the final moment before the white light dissipated, Yun Che gave Cai Zhi a gentle, faint smile... a farewell.
The next time they met, for him, it would be three thousand years later.
The dimensional profound formation forged with the power of a king realm was naturally extraordinary. The Star God Realm and the Zhou Tian Realm were far apart, but the space traversal took only a few breaths.
The white light faded, and the dense, rich profound energy of the Zhou Tian Realm swept toward him. Yun Che looked up at the towering Zhou Tian Pagoda that pierced the heavens, a surge of melancholy filling his heart.
Returning to the Zhou Tian God Realm—after this, he would enter the Zhou Tian Divine Realm.
His two lifetimes combined only amounted to about sixty years. Yet once he entered the Zhou Tian Divine Realm, he would devote himself to cultivation for a full three thousand years, missing this world for an entire three millennia.
Three thousand years...
He didn't know what changes would occur in his state of mind and convictions after three thousand years, or whether he would still be the same person he was now.
Putting away his melancholy, recalling every word Mo Li had said, Yun Che's mind and eyes steadied once more... Under the current circumstances, this was indeed his best, almost only, option.
Not just for the present, but even more for the future.
The dimensional profound formation had transported them to the outer reaches of the Zhou Tian Realm. Xing Shendi walked ahead, his steps slow... but until they passed through the Zhou Tian Realm's protective barrier and stepped into its domain, he did not ask Yun Che a single question.
Entering the Zhou Tian Realm, Xing Shendi stopped and finally turned around: "Yun Che, now that you've entered this realm, Zhou Tian Shen Di already knows you've returned here. As one of the thousand Chosen Sons, you are qualified to participate in Yue Shendi's wedding ceremony. However, this time that old man Yue Shendi has made such a grand scene. Your Yin Xue Realm should have received an invitation as well. Do you intend to follow the Zhou Tian Realm, or accompany your own sect?"
Without hesitation, Yun Che answered directly: "Junior will go with his own sect."
"Very well." Xing Shendi nodded. "Xing Ling, escort Yun Che back to the Yin Xue Realm's side."
"Yes." Xing Ling accepted the order.
Xing Shendi said no more and departed with Tumi and the other three Star Guards.
With the title of "Child of Heaven's Way" and countless near-world-shaking halos, Yun Che absolutely could not be simply treated as a "young profound practitioner from a middle-ranked star realm." Although Xing Shendi had shown a strangely cold attitude toward Yun Che, he still gave him considerable face... personally ordering a Star Guard, and the leader of the Star Guards at that, to escort him.
"Brother Xing Ling, we meet again." With Xing Shendi gone, the pressure on Yun Che subsided dramatically, and he greeted Xing Ling with a smile.
But a doubt arose in his heart: Xing Ling was Mo Li's Star Guard leader. Yet, Xing Shendi seemed to like bringing him along on his travels. It was the same during the Profound God Convention, and this time, heading to the Moon God Realm, he only brought four Star Guards, and Xing Ling was among them.
However, this doubt only flashed through his mind, and he didn't dwell on it.
Xing Ling gave Yun Che a courteous bow: "Please, Young Master Yun."
Back in the Zhou Tian God Realm, Yun Che's state of mind and goals were completely different.
The two walked side by side toward where the Yin Xue Realm was stationed. After hesitating for a long while, Xing Ling finally couldn't help but ask: "Young Master Yun, did Princess Cai Zhi truly teach you the 'Celestial Wolf Prison God Scripture'?"
After asking, Xing Ling quickly added apologetically: "I'm just astonished. If I've overstepped, please forgive me, Young Master Yun."
Yun Che shook his head with a smile: "Brother Xing Ling need not be so cautious. Of course it's true. I wouldn't dare deceive Xing Shendi on such a matter."
Xing Ling sighed in admiration: "The divine scriptures of the various Star Gods are all forbidden arts, never to be passed on. For you to receive such a gift is truly astonishing. And from what I observed of His Majesty's expression, he did not seem displeased."
Yun Che smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
Xing Ling looked at him and continued with a sigh: "Now everyone knows that Young Master Yun is the chosen 'Child of Heaven's Way,' having experienced the unprecedented nine tribulations. That His Majesty and Princess Cai Zhi would be willing to do this... perhaps it's not too strange when it comes to you."
"Haha." Yun Che gave a dry laugh and changed the subject: "Brother Xing Ling, why did Xing Shendi bring only a few people when attending the Moon God Realm wedding ceremony this time?"
Xing Ling smiled bitterly: "Although Young Master Yun has been in the Divine Realm for a short time, you must have heard of the grievances between our two realms. This time, if His Majesty weren't extremely curious about the Moon God Realm's new Divine Empress, he might not have gone in person at all."
"I see."
As they talked, they arrived at the Yin Xue Realm's resting area.
During Yun Che's half-month in the Star God Realm, the Yin Xue Realm—and almost all other star realms—had remained in the Zhou Tian God Realm without leaving. This wedding ceremony of Yue Shendi's, widely inviting the Eastern Divine Region, was clearly riding the momentum of the Profound God Convention.
Yun Che bid farewell to Xing Ling and landed in the courtyard: "Ice Cloud Palace Master, honored elders, disciple Yun Che has returned."
Mu Bingyun, Mu Huanzhi, and other elders and palace masters of the Ice Phoenix Sect were all present, along with all the accompanying disciples, clearly preparing to depart for the Moon God Realm.
Seeing Yun Che return, Mu Bingyun felt a relief in her heart. Her icy eyes swept over him, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips: "You came back just in time. By the look of you, you've finally gotten what you wished for."
Yun Che grinned: "Not only did I get what I wished for, I also got a very unexpected gain."
His words carried gratitude—because he had finally seen Mo Li as he wished, and received an eternal promise. All of this was, to a great extent, bestowed by Mu Bingyun.
The very first step he took upon arriving in the Divine Realm was with Mu Bingyun leading him across.
"Oh? An unexpected gain?"
"Uh... that's not too important." Yun Che's face showed a slight awkwardness. The "unexpected gain" he referred to was Cai Zhi, and he wasn't sure why he said it out loud.
Glancing at the many elders and disciples around him, Yun Che asked quietly: "Does that mean all of us can go to the Moon God Realm?"
"Indeed." Mu Bingyun nodded. "It seems Yue Shendi is in high spirits this time. Not only did he extend a wide invitation to the Eastern Divine Region, but he also didn't restrict the number of attendants. Everyone currently in the Zhou Tian Realm may go."
Yun Che clicked his tongue slightly: "Yue Shendi is dead set on making this wedding ceremony exceedingly extravagant. I wonder what kind of person this new Divine Empress is. Even a woman like the Dragon Empress or a divine maiden shouldn't make him go this far, right?"
"The incident with Yue Wugou back then brought great humiliation to Yue Shendi. This time, he's clearly going to get it back tenfold. As for who the Divine Empress is, we'll know today."
Three years ago, he had sent out invitations widely, causing quite a stir in the Eastern Divine Region. Over the past three years, the commotion Yue Shendi created for this wedding had not abated in the slightest; it had only grown. And who exactly this "Divine Empress" was—until now, no one knew.
This, of course, piqued everyone's curiosity immensely.
In the distance, a white pillar of light shot into the sky. Mu Bingyun raised her eyes toward it: "The dimensional profound formation has opened. Let's go."
Pay attention to the two seemingly inconspicuous pitfalls in this chapter. They are very important.