Chapter 1273: Worthy Son-in-Law, Worthy Son-in-Law
The main hall—that was an upper-tier seat that only a king realm had the qualification to enter. Even the great realm kings of upper star realms were not worthy of entry.
Everyone from the Yin Xue realm was stunned, but as they processed it, an overwhelming sense of surprise did not rise within their hearts. Instead, there was a feeling of "it's only natural."
Because Yun Che was no longer just an ordinary Yin Xue disciple. In the Divine Phoenix Conference, the radiance he had shone had fiercely pierced the entire God Realm, causing every Divine Emperor, and even the Dragon God Emperor, to vie for the chance to draw him to their side.
For a Yun Che like this, no matter how exaggerated the preferential treatment from the Yue Shen realm, it would never be excessive.
However, to everyone's surprise, Yun Che shook his head cleanly and apologetically said, "Many thanks to the Moon God Emperor and the two of you for your kindness. As a disciple of Yin Xue, I should sit with my sect."
The two moon guards showed surprise but did not insist: "If that is the case, then let it be as Young Master Yun wishes. If Young Master Yun has any requests, please do not hesitate to speak."
"Please!"
The change in their demeanor and the respect in their words made everyone from Yin Xue feel honored. They looked ahead at Yun Che walking to Mu Bingyun's side, each deeply sighing in their hearts... Three years ago, when he first entered the sect, he was utterly unremarkable, but now, the heights he had reached had surpassed all his fellow disciples, and even transcended the entire Yin Xue realm...
He alone had become the greatest glory of the Yin Xue realm.
"Brother Yun, over here!"
As soon as he entered, he heard Huo Poyun's joyful shout.
The Yan Shen realm had already taken their seats. At the main table were only three people: Huo Rulie, Yan Juehai, and Huo Poyun. After the Divine Phoenix Conference, because Yun Che possessed the power of the Golden Crow and Phoenix, the relationship between the Yin Xue and Yan Shen realms had undergone subtle changes.
Yun Che did not stand on ceremony. He walked forward with Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanzhi to join the same main table. Glancing out, the outer seats were packed with millions of people.
After exchanging greetings, Huo Poyun could not wait to ask, "Brother Yun, what kind of place is the Xing Shen realm? Is it also like a dreamscape like the Yue Shen realm?"
Yun Che nodded: "The Yue Shen realm is covered in moonlight, while the Xing Shen realm has a sky full of stars. Now that you mention it, both do have a dreamlike feel."
"Did you... learn the Star God Remnant Shadow?"
"Mm, you could say I've made some progress."
"Did the Tiansha Xingshen really teach you in person? What does Tiansha Xingshen look like? Legend says she's incredibly terrifying. Over there, uh... did nothing happen to you?"
"...Tiansha Xingshen is not as terrifying as the rumors say."
"But I heard that in the second year after inheriting her divine power, Tiansha Xingshen slaughtered tens of thousands of people in one of the Yue Shen realm's star regions, and later even..."
"Ahem, do not discuss the grievances between king realms." Huo Rulie lowered his voice to cut off Huo Poyun: "This is the Yue Shen realm."
"...Yes." Huo Poyun had no choice but to stop.
Listening to Yun Che and Huo Poyun's exchange, Mu Bingyun's lips moved slightly. No one knew, and no one would believe, that Tiansha Xingshen and Yun Che shared a deep bond, nor would they believe that when Yun Che was still in the lower realm, a mere teenager, he had already been accompanied day and night by that terrifying star god who made the entire God Realm tremble at the mention of her name.
"Yun Che," Yan Juehai spoke, his voice low and his tone serious: "There is one thing I have never understood."
"Although the 'Fandi Shennü' is peerlessly beautiful, if you draw close to her, you will inevitably attract countless jealousies. So, refusing the Brahma Emperor God Realm might be the right choice. But why did you refuse the Dragon God Emperor and the Zhou Tian Shen Di?"
"Junior has his own plans." Yun Che also replied solemnly.
Because of the Phoenix Flame, Yan Juehai had unknowingly drawn closer to Yun Che. He looked at Yun Che and said, "Though I do not know what your plans are, you must never underestimate the shockwaves you caused in the Divine Phoenix Conference, nor underestimate what the favor of these Divine Emperors means. You may not know this, but throughout the entire history of the God Realm, no young man has ever shone with radiance as dazzling as yours."
Yan Juehai's words were not an exaggeration, but no one showed surprise, because they all knew it was an undeniable truth.
"To say something that might make you uncomfortable: the current Yun Che is no longer someone the Yin Xue realm can keep. Yun Che, in the eyes of many, you are unaffiliated—a masterless, dazzling pearl unprecedented in history. You know full well what such a pearl will attract. The Yin Xue realm cannot protect you, and you certainly cannot protect yourself... A sufficiently powerful backing, or affiliation, is what you need most now."
What Yan Juehai said was quite similar to what Mo Li had reminded him of.
Huo Rulie also slowly nodded: "Becoming the personal disciple of the Zhou Tian Shen Di, or the adopted son of the Dragon God Emperor—both are excellent choices for you."
None of the Yin Xue members said a word in rebuttal. As the saying goes, "innocence is a crime only if one possesses a treasure." And Yun Che's situation was already a grave sin that had shaken the entire God Realm.
Yun Che nodded and said calmly, "Thank you both for the advice. Junior will be entering the Zhou Tian Divine Realm soon. After leaving the Zhou Tian Pearl, I will make further plans."
"Mm." Having said what needed to be said, Huo Rulie and Yan Juehai did not press further.
Sigh... Looking at Yun Che, then at Huo Poyun, Huo Rulie let out a long, deep sigh in his heart. The two were similar in age, but Huo Poyun's crushing defeat at the Divine Phoenix Stage had nearly shattered his resolve. Meanwhile, Yun Che, under a burden as heavy as a collapsing sky behind his endless glory, remained as calm as an old monk.
Not to mention their strength, the gap in their mental fortitude was as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.
More and more guests arrived. The massive outer seating area accommodated all the guests from middle and lower star realms. The most eye-catching among them was undoubtedly where the Yin Xue and Yan Shen realms were seated.
Because of Yun Che, the Eastern Divine Region now knew the name "Yin Xue realm."
Because of Huo Poyun, and even more because of Yun Che, the Yan Shen realm had also gained great fame. In particular, the Golden Crow Flame and Phoenix Flame had rekindled the prestige of divine flames on the Divine Phoenix Stage... In contrast, the Vermilion Bird Flame, foremost among the three divine flames, was rarely remembered.
And the Yin Xue and Yan Shen realms were the only two middle star realms with disciples who had entered the Divine Phoenix Conference. Especially Yun Che, who had become the pride of all young cultivators from middle and lower star realms. He had completely broken the "monopoly" of the upper star realms on the Divine Phoenix Conference, achieving an unprecedented feeling of vindication.
Countless gazes—some subtle, some fervent—fell upon the Yin Xue and Yan Shen realms. There were envy, awe, admiration, and of course, jealousy. Most of them undoubtedly landed on Yun Che.
"The Flying Star Realm has arrived!"
...
"The Shenwu Realm has arrived!"
...
"The Yuanling Great World has arrived!"
...
"The Liuguang Realm has arrived!"
Only king realms and upper star realms could be announced by the moon guards. Amidst the moon guards' resonant announcements, the Liuguang Realm delegation swiftly arrived. Where they passed, faint blue light overflowed.
At the very front was naturally Liuguang Realm King Shui Qianheng. Behind him, Yun Che immediately spotted Shui Yingyue, Shui Yinghen, and a black-dressed Shui Meiyin with her eerie black pupils flickering.
Almost the moment Yun Che saw them, Shui Meiyin's gaze locked precisely with his. Her brows curved, and she called out crisply, "Yun Che gege!"
That sweet shout instantly numbed most of the bones of everyone who heard it.
Shui Qianheng turned his gaze and then strode directly toward Yun Che.
What status did Shui Qianheng hold? One of the three titans among the upper star realms—a transcendent existence that even the middle and lower star realms had no right to address with respect. As he passed, the seated cultivators hastily rose to pay their respects, but he didn't even glance at them. With a few large strides that seemed to shrink space, he arrived before Yun Che. Before Yun Che could react, he slapped his hand on Yun Che's shoulder: "Hahahaha, worthy son-in-law, so you're already here! You had me searching high and low at the Zhou Tian realm."
Yun Che was about to perform a junior's salute, but Shui Qianheng's maniacal laughter nearly made his ears ring. The address that followed almost made Yun Che spit water all over Shui Qianheng's face.
Worthy... worthy son-in-law??
Yan Juehai, Mu Huanzhi, and the others who had quickly stood up were all equally dumbfounded.
"Uh... Senior Shui." Yun Che barely managed to greet him.
Shui Qianheng's brows twitched, and he said in dissatisfaction, "Hey! What's with this 'Senior Shui'? So distant! Just call me father-in-law."
Yun Che: "~!@#..."
Shui Meiyin's face reddened, and she said timidly and shyly, "Father, I haven't married Yun Che gege yet."
Shui Qianheng waved his hand grandly: "It's a matter of time anyway. Whether you call me earlier or later, it's all the same. I've even given away the Primordial Nothingness Sacred Water—do you think I wouldn't acknowledge this fine son-in-law of mine?"
Shui Qianheng emphasized the words "Primordial Nothingness Sacred Water" quite heavily, as if afraid those around wouldn't hear.
Everyone from the Yin Xue realm had three black lines falling across their foreheads... They all remembered clearly the day when Shui Qianheng had been so furious over Shui Meiyin's matter that he had wanted to slap Yun Che to death. What a change this was!
And what did the Primordial Nothingness Sacred Water have to do with Shui Qianheng? It was Shui Meiyin who, out of her feelings for Yun Che, had stolen it without regard for the consequences, and then Shui Yinghen had nervously and fearfully sneaked it over.
If Shui Qianheng had found out back then... well, Shui Meiyin might have been fine even with a heaven-sized mistake, but Shui Yinghen? A broken leg would have been the lightest punishment.
Shui Yinghen's teeth chattered and his mouth twitched as he whispered to Shui Yingyue, "Has our father always been this shameless?"
Shui Yingyue nodded.
To become Shui Qianheng's son-in-law was a dream that others wouldn't dare to have in eight hundred lifetimes. But now, anyone could see that Shui Qianheng was shamelessly throwing himself at Yun Che. Given his stance, even if Yun Che wanted both of his daughters, he wouldn't even frown—he'd probably be laughing his teeth out.
Because that was Yun Che... the "Son of the Heavenly Dao" whom even the Brahma Emperor wanted to make his son-in-law.
Yun Che didn't know whether to agree or refuse, so he could only force a dry laugh.
"Worthy son-in-law, after this wedding ceremony, you should prepare to enter the Zhou Tian Pearl." Shui Qianheng's voice was quite loud, unconcerned about being overheard. "Although everyone will have their own exclusive minor realms once inside, as long as the other party allows it, you can also enter someone else's minor realm. You and Mei Yin can take care of and support each other inside; it will surely speed up your growth and deepen your bond."
"After three years, when you leave the Zhou Tian Divine Realm, I will immediately give you two a wedding! The grander the occasion, the better, hahahaha."
"Hehe, father is really something." Shui Meiyin's slender brows curved like crescent moons.
"Ah... ha... haha." Yun Che continued to laugh dryly.
Shui Yinghen spread his five fingers and pressed them firmly against his face.
"Today is a big event for the Yue Shen realm, so we won't talk further. Tomorrow, you and I, father and son-in-law, shall have a good drink together, hahahaha!"
With another loud laugh, Shui Qianheng finally released Yun Che and strode away.
"Yun Che gege..." Shui Meiyin called out very softly, waved her little hand, and playfully stuck out her tongue before following behind Shui Qianheng.
Shui Yinghen seemed too ashamed to face anyone and fled without even greeting Yun Che.
"Whew..." Yun Che let out a long breath. Just as he sat down, a voice transmission from Shui Qianheng suddenly rang in his ears:
"Before entering the Zhou Tian Pearl, you must stay in the Zhou Tian God Realm and go nowhere. I will also remain in the Zhou Tian God Realm until you and Mei Yin enter the Zhou Tian Pearl... There will definitely be those who do not wish to see you enter the Zhou Tian Pearl—be very careful... especially beware of the Fandi Shennü!"
Yun Che turned his head toward where Shui Qianheng was, but found that he had long since disappeared into the distance without a trace.