Chapter 1428: "Zhou Tian Conference"
Inside the Ice Phoenix Palace, Yun Che sat upright before Zhou Tian Shen Di, both hands extended, a layer of sacred white profound light gathering at Zhou Tian Shen Di's chest.
He had maintained this posture for six hours.
Zhou Tian Shen Di's expression was peaceful, and his complexion at this moment was better than any day in the past few years.
Light Profound Force was the greatest nemesis of Dark Profound Force. Although Yun Che's power was far too weak compared to the "Evil Infant," the Divine Light Art he cultivated was the "Life Miracle," a technique of the highest possible level. Even the demonic miasma that Zhou Tian Shen Di's Divine Emperor power found extremely difficult to dissolve was being purified bit by bit under his Light Profound Force.
His Evil God's Mysterious Vein did not contain a Light Seed, and his time cultivating Light Profound Force was very short, but his control over Light Profound Force was already astonishingly strong. Back then, Shen Xi had speculated that this must... and could only be related to his Evil God's Mysterious Vein, after all, it was a profound vein at the level of a Creation God.
After six hours, Yun Che was nearly exhausted. At that moment, Zhou Tian Shen Di opened his eyes and said gently, "Yun Che, let us stop here."
Yun Che also opened his eyes, then withdrew his Light Profound Force as instructed, lowered his arms, and took a long breath. "My cultivation is still too weak. Please stay a few more days in the Yinxue Realm, Senior. Within five days, I will definitely be able to completely purify the demonic energy in your body."
"Hehe," Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled. "I know far better than you how terrifying the Evil Infant's power is. To have it resolved to this extent in just six hours already greatly surprises me. However, the Crimson Red calamity is approaching. Nineteen days from now will be the Zhou Tian Conference to address the Crimson Red calamity, and I truly have no leisure for other matters."
"But with your help here, under my full suppression, the demonic miasma will not flare up for at least another month. This is a tremendous help and kindness to me, to this Zhou Tian Conference, and even... to our entire Eastern Divine Region." Zhou Tian Shen Di said sincerely, but then his gaze darkened, and he let out a long sigh.
Yun Che did not insist, and said, "It is my honor, Senior... Senior, from observing your expression, it seems you are extremely pessimistic about this Crimson Red calamity?"
Zhou Tian Shen Di was startled, but did not deny it, chuckling bitterly, "Indeed... It's more than just pessimism, sigh."
Yun Che frowned deeply and asked, "In that case, could it be... that you already know the crisis... or the secret behind the Crimson Red rift?"
"Mm." Zhou Tian Shen Di still did not deny it, nodding slowly. But as he suddenly brought up this matter, the relief and joy he felt from the substantial resolution of the demonic energy all dissipated, replaced by profound gravity.
"What exactly is..." Yun Che started to press further, but then sensed something and quickly stopped himself. He apologized, "I spoke too much, asking about something I shouldn't. Please forgive me, Senior."
"No harm, no harm." Zhou Tian Shen Di still smiled gently, without any hint of reproach. "During the time of the Profound God Convention, I still did not know what the Crimson Red rift was, only various vague guesses. But, after sending the young people into the Zhou Tian Divine Realm... at that time, I learned the truth behind the appearance of the Crimson Red rift. The one who told me this truth was none other than the Zhou Tian Pearl."
"...I see." Yun Che nodded slowly. Indeed, what was the Zhou Tian Pearl? Not only was its level extremely high, but its artifact spirit naturally possessed memories of the Age of Gods, with a breadth of knowledge far beyond the living beings of this era.
Although he very much wanted to know what the truth was, he also understood that since this truth had never been spread throughout the God Realm, it indicated that this was not something he could pry into.
"That is an extremely terrifying 'truth,' so terrifying that I have never dared to reveal it to anyone, because once this truth spreads, it will certainly trigger immense panic among everyone."
"The panic of all living beings might bring about a disaster even more terrible than the 'Crimson Red calamity' itself." Zhou Tian Shen Di said with a sigh.
Yun Che nodded, deeply agreeing. "I heard from my master that this 'Zhou Tian Conference' only Divine Lords can attend, and all Divine Lords of the Eastern Divine Region must attend. Could it be that you, Senior, are prepared to disclose the 'truth'?"
Zhou Tian Shen Di gave Yun Che a deep look and said, "Your instincts are sharp. That's right. No matter how terrible the truth, the time has come for it to be revealed, at least to a small circle. Because the information given by the Zhou Tian Pearl... the Crimson Red calamity is on the verge of a full-scale eruption at any moment."
Yun Che's heart sank heavily.
Although the Eastern Divine Region had experienced large-scale beast rampages, they were far from the level of a "calamity." At the very least, the structure of the Eastern Divine Region had not been noticeably affected.
No one knew that a great disaster was actually right around the corner... And Zhou Tian Shen Di, the only one who knew the truth, was undoubtedly bearing the heaviest fear and pressure.
At the same time, he had also shouldered the heavy responsibility of dealing with this disaster.
Back then, during the Profound God Convention, Yun Che had angered Zhou Tian Shen Di due to "cheating," almost getting himself expelled from the Zhou Tian Realm on the spot, which also provoked Yun Che's angry rebuttal... But at this moment, for Zhou Tian Shen Di, he was filled with deep respect.
Compared to other King Realms, the Zhou Tian God Realm, though not the strongest, was perhaps the King Realm most worthy of the name "King Realm." Its existence was a blessing for the Eastern Divine Region, and it was no wonder it had gained the recognition of the Zhou Tian Pearl. Even though its original master, Zhou Tian Tai Zu, had long since passed away, it still chose to remain with the Zhou Tian God Realm.
Yun Che thought briefly, then suddenly said, "I also heard that you, Senior, have gathered the strength of the Eastern Divine Region to construct a dimensional array that traverses nearly half of the Chaos, allowing direct travel from the Zhou Tian God Realm to the Chaos's Eastern Extremity. Could it be that this Zhou Tian Conference... will go to personally observe the Crimson Red rift at the Chaos's Eastern Extremity?"
"Hehehehe," Zhou Tian Shen Di laughed. "You are indeed clever. That is exactly the case. And with this dimensional array, when the Crimson Red calamity erupts in the future, we can reach the Chaos's Eastern Extremity at the first moment to respond."
He shook his head again. "These are all just the greatest efforts we can make, buying us only the greatest 'possibility'... However, even that greatest possibility is utterly insignificant in the face of that truth."
Seeing Yun Che's reaction, Zhou Tian Shen Di realized he had said a bit too much, and apologized somewhat, "You are still too young, far from the age to bear such things. I have said some things I shouldn't. Don't let them affect your mood. Or perhaps, the situation is not as pessimistic as I think. Gathering the power of all Divine Lords will surely find a way to deal with it. So, just forget what I just said."
Yun Che frowned deeply, then made a decision. "Senior, in light of my efforts to purify the demonic energy for you, could you grant me a presumptuous request?"
"Oh?"
"I wish to attend the Zhou Tian Conference and personally observe the Crimson Red rift." Yun Che said with a firm gaze.
"This..." Zhou Tian Shen Di frowned slightly, but then relaxed and slowly nodded. "Very well."
"Eh..." Yun Che was stunned. He had thought this request of his would be met with resistance, but he didn't expect Zhou Tian Shen Di to hesitate only for a moment before directly agreeing. "I... really can?"
"Of course you can." Zhou Tian Shen Di said with a chuckle. "The reason this Zhou Tian Conference is limited to Divine Lords is simply because those below the Divine Lord level can hardly accomplish anything, and also to prevent the 'truth' from being widely disseminated. There is no other special reason or taboo. I have just received your kindness; if you wish to attend, how could I have any reason to refuse?"
Yun Che quickly said, "In that case, thank you for your permission, Senior. I will enter the Zhou Tian Realm early with my master, and at that time, I can also perform another purification of your demonic energy."
"Hehe, good." Zhou Tian Shen Di smiled and agreed.
After Zhou Tian Shen Di left, Yun Che personally saw him off, but he did not find Xia Qingyue and Shui Qianheng and his daughter.
"Where are Qingyue and Senior Shui and the others?" Yun Che looked around from time to time.
"They left." Mu Xuanyin said.
"Left?" Yun Che widened his eyes in shock. "When did they leave?"
"Six hours ago."
"..."
Mu Xuanyin glanced at him sideways and said coldly, "What? Did you think they should linger here reluctantly, waiting to 'receive' some of your time after you finished your busywork?"
This remark was rather harsh, startling Yun Che a little. He quickly said, "I never meant that, it's just... I feel a little reluctant to part."
"..." Mu Xuanyin said no more.
"Qingyue... did she leave any message for me?" Yun Che asked somewhat nervously, still not quite understanding why Mu Xuanyin had "pricked" him earlier.
Mu Xuanyin pushed her palm forward, and the Sound Transmission Purple Jade that Xia Qingyue had left flew into Yun Che's hand. "If you encounter any trouble or danger in the future, send her a message yourself. Now, in the Eastern Divine Region, as long as you don't actively provoke the Fantian Divine Realm, there is nothing she cannot solve."
Yun Che held the purple jade, flipped it over to look at it, and the sense of loss in his heart lessened by a fraction. He raised his head and asked, "Master, is Qingyue... really the Moon God Emperor?"
Even now, he still found it hard to believe. He had originally planned to ask Xia Qingyue directly, but now he could only ask Mu Xuanyin.
Moon God Emperor... what a significant three-character title. He simply could not reconcile these three months with Xia Qingyue.
"As for this matter, and the matter of the Evil Infant, I will tell you everything later." Mu Xuanyin's voice was calm. "Is there anything you want to ask about the little princess of the Liuguang Realm?"
"..." Yun Che thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Mu Xuanyin turned her gaze. "Not only do you have nothing to ask, you even seem relieved? So, you have no romantic feelings for her?"
Yun Che furrowed his brow slightly, but still nodded. "Of course not. I haven't had much contact with her, nor do I know her well, so naturally there are no feelings."
"Your engagement to the little princess of Liuguang was known to the entire world back then." Mu Xuanyin said. "What do you have to say about that?"
Yun Che let out a light sigh. "Well... the Ice Cloud Palace Master and the Grand Elder all know that this engagement was actually a temporary expedient devised back then to avoid being blamed by the Liuguang Realm King. The Liuguang Realm King himself was also well aware of it. I thought it was just a playful whim on her part, and that after three thousand years in the Zhou Tian Realm, she would definitely forget all about it. I never expected that she would... uh..."
He found himself understanding women less and less.
The women around him either had long-term relationships with him or had made profound sacrifices for him... But Shui Meiyin? After fighting her once during the Sealing God Battle, she suddenly took the initiative to cling to him, and for three thousand years... a full three thousand years, she was still thinking about him.
It was completely baffling!
And all the changes began after that spiritual battle with her.
Logically speaking, winning by such a despicable, shameless, filthy, and immoral method should have caused her extreme shame and fury, leading her to utterly despise and detest him. At that time, Yun Che had even prepared himself to be brutally beaten by her sister, Shui Yingyue...
He never dreamed that the outcome would be something so entirely unexpected.
Could it be that this little girl had a strange masochistic tendency hidden within her from a young age?
Mu Xuanyin narrowed her icy eyes and stared at him directly, holding his gaze for quite a while, until Yun Che's heart began to feel a bit uneasy. Then she slowly spoke, "Back then, after your first battle with Luo Changsheng, she stole the Divine Life Water to save you. Is that true?"
"Mm." Yun Che nodded.
"Today, she personally rushed here from the Liuguang Realm, and arrived at almost the same time as Luo Guxie. Clearly, upon receiving the news, she came here at the fastest possible speed and forcibly dragged her Realm King father along. Do you know what that means?" Mu Xuanyin asked again.
"...I know."
"And how do you plan to respond to this?"
"..." Yun Che was silent for a long time, then said, "I will do my utmost to repay her... and the Liuguang Realm."
"Repay?" Mu Xuanyin frowned slightly. "You are far more proficient with women than you are with the profound way. Do you think she would want your repayment?"
Yun Che: "..."
"I don't care what you think, or what concerns you might have. But as for this matter of the little princess of Liuguang..." Mu Xuanyin turned her body away, no longer looking at him, but her voice became commanding. "The engagement is set and has been made public. If you had died, that would be one thing. But since you are still alive, you cannot break your promise and go back on your word!"
"You... must... marry... her!"