# Chapter 1442: Resentment
Four years ago, when Yun Che arrived at the Zhou Tian God Realm, he had come with a heart full of excitement and anticipation. But this time, all he felt was an indescribable heaviness.
Last time, he had come with Mu Bingyun. This time, it was Mu Xuanyin.
There was another major difference. The first time he came, like all the Ice Phoenix disciples, his heart was filled with reverence and trepidation, and he involuntarily lightened his steps and breathing.
But following beside Mu Xuanyin brought an indescribable sense of peace and security.
"Let's go."
Mu Xuanyin led the way, walking slowly with Yun Che toward the Zhou Tian Gate.
It was now three days until the Zhou Tian Assembly. Many Supreme Divine Lords had likely already arrived.
This was a grand gathering reserved solely for supreme powerhouses. Yun Che was an exception… though perhaps not the only one.
Divine Lords — every single one was a supreme existence overlooking all living beings, a king of their realm among the upper star realms. And to be able to forcefully summon all the Divine Lords from an entire star domain — within the Eastern Divine Region, only the Zhou Tian God Realm, with its immense strength and prestige, could accomplish such a feat.
Even the air of the Zhou Tian God Realm carried an indescribable divine grandeur. Every step felt like treading upon the highest heavenly palace. As the Zhou Tian Gate gradually came into view, Yun Che could already see the figures of the gate-keeping disciples.
Just then, Yun Che's gaze shifted to the side… to the right, two figures were also approaching, moving far faster than the master and disciple.
One of those figures was especially familiar to Yun Che.
It was a man who appeared quite young, his features just as they had been before. He wore an extravagant golden robe that was dazzling to the eyes. His handsome features were peerless, carrying a blend of nobility and a hint of wickedness. His gaze was calm and proud… even here in the Zhou Tian Star Region.
The moment he saw him — especially that blinding golden robe — Yun Che's mind instantly flashed with his identity and name.
Shenwu Realm — Wu Guike!
Although he had not met this noble son of the Shenwu Realm many times, their history was quite significant. Back then, Wu Guike had been a great benefactor who helped Yun Che pass the first two rounds of the preliminary selection of the Profound God Convention!
And to repay him, during the God Sealing Battle, Yun Che had swept him off the God Sealing Platform with seven extremely clean sword strikes.
And the middle-aged man beside him, whose eyes were like a fierce eagle and whose aura was imposing enough to frighten anyone, should be his father — the Realm King of Shenwu Realm — Wu Sanzun!
Wait!
Wu Guike came to participate in the Zhou Tian Assembly?
That means… after three thousand years in the Zhou Tian realm, he had actually cultivated to the Divine Lord realm!?
Yun Che was secretly stunned… Whether it was because the Zhou Tian Pearl was too powerful, or because the Shenwu Realm's ancestors had burned incense of good fortune, this generation of Shenwu Realm actually had two Divine Lords coexisting!
After all, the Liuguang Realm, currently ranked first among the upper star realms, only had three Divine Lords.
When Wu Guike saw Yun Che, he simultaneously spotted him. His gaze first froze, his expression instantly turning harsh. Then he quickly relaxed, reverting to a look of proud indifference.
"Isn't this the Yun Che who took first place in the God Sealing Battle and even triggered the ninefold thunder tribulation? So you really are still alive." Wu Guike spoke blandly, but his half-squinted eyes and the faint smile on his face all radiated an undisguised casual arrogance.
His posture clearly showed that he was looking down on a lowly, despicable creature.
Wu Sanzun glanced sideways. When he saw Yun Che, he slightly furrowed his brow.
"Oh?" Yun Che acted as if he had just noticed Wu Guike, and immediately said with a chuckle: "So it's Young Master Wu of the Shenwu Realm. It's been a few years. I trust all is well with you."
"You're already a Divine King!" Wu Sanzun stared at Yun Che, muttering softly, inwardly shaken.
Wu Guike's brow twitched slightly, but he immediately smiled faintly and praised with a condescending attitude: "Not bad, not bad. You truly are one of the former God Sealing champions, to have reached Divine King so quickly. A pity… what a pity."
He shook his head, letting out a mocking sigh: "Do you know what realm I have already reached now?"
Yun Che replied: "Since Young Master Wu can attend the Zhou Tian Assembly, I assume you have already achieved the Divine Lord realm?"
"Hahahaha!" Wu Guike burst into loud laughter and said arrogantly: "You're quite clever. Do you know what kind of immense power I now possess!"
He raised his hand, and in his palm slowly condensed a golden vortex. The vortex was small, but its light was as thick and dazzling as a blazing sun. At the same time, the surrounding space twisted violently. All aura collapsed frantically, forming a terrifyingly large vacuum domain around Wu Guike's body.
"This is a power that you can never imagine in your current state," he said slowly. "First in the God Sealing Battle? Very impressive! But unfortunately, in my eyes now, you're nothing but trash I could crush with half a finger. Understand?"
Would a Supreme Divine Lord ever care about a Divine King?
Of course not.
But the shadow Yun Che had cast over Wu Guike back then was simply too great. Even though three thousand years had passed, meeting Yun Che again caused the brand of humiliation to flare up uncontrollably within him.
Yun Che rolled his eyes… Although this guy's talent was astonishingly high, this was all he amounted to.
Not seeing the fear, envy, or subservience he wanted to see from Yun Che — instead seeing a completely indifferent attitude — Wu Guike became extremely displeased inside. But this was the Zhou Tian God Realm. Even though he had become a Divine Lord, he absolutely did not have the audacity to act recklessly.
Then, his gaze fell on Mu Xuanyin. Although he only saw her silhouette, his eyes instantly froze, and he stared for a full three breaths.
"Heh, hahahaha." Wu Guike suddenly laughed loudly. "No wonder you rejected the olive branches extended by two Divine Emperors back then, and foolishly clung to a small mid-star realm instead — turns out you have such a stunningly beautiful master."
"I've long heard that the Yinxue Realm's Realm King Xuan Yin is the number one beauty of the Northern Domain of the Eastern Region. Truly, reputation does not lie. Having such a beautiful master by your side day and night — if it were me, I probably wouldn't want to leave either, hahahaha!"
"…" Yun Che let out a light breath, looking at Wu Guike with a hint of pity in his eyes.
Ah, living is good, so why must your mouth be so cheap… You definitely don't know that Luo Guxie's arm was just torn off by my master.
What surprised Yun Che greatly was that Mu Xuanyin showed no reaction or emotion at all. Her gaze didn't even shift toward Wu Guike.
"Guike, this is the Zhou Tian Realm. Don't cause trouble." Wu Sanzun's gaze swept over Yun Che and Mu Xuanyin, lingering on Mu Xuanyin for quite a while. Then he turned around: "Let's go."
Wu Guike laughed lightly. His contemptuous gaze, as if looking at an ant, left Yun Che. He didn't deign to look at him again as he followed Wu Sanzun toward the Zhou Tian Gate.
"As expected of the Zhou Tian Divine Realm — even this guy could become a Divine Lord." Yun Che looked at Wu Guike's arrogant receding figure, sighing in admiration… and indeed, with a hint of envy.
"The level of energy in the Zhou Tian Divine Realm far surpasses that of the God Realm. Whether in cultivation speed or breakthroughs in small and major realms, it is incomparable to the outside world. Among the 'chosen ones' who entered the Zhou Tian Divine Realm back then, a total of nineteen achieved the Divine Lord realm," Mu Xuanyin said coldly. "Even those who did not reach the Divine Lord realm, more than half achieved the Divine Sovereign realm."
She glanced at Yun Che and suddenly asked: "Do you regret not being able to enter the Zhou Tian Divine Realm?"
"No," Yun Che shook his head without hesitation. "I absolutely do not regret it. In fact, I am immensely grateful."
"…" Mu Xuanyin knew why he said that.
Achieving the Divine King realm undoubtedly placed one among the supreme existences of the world. Standing at such a height naturally brought Wu Guike's status in the Shenwu Realm a heaven-shaking change, and his attitude toward the world was completely different from before.
Especially since father and son both came from the same Shenwu Realm… An upper star realm that could have two Divine Lords coexisting — even in a king realm, they indeed had the capital to be proud.
After all, the Liuguang Realm, currently ranked first among the upper star realms, only had three Divine Lords.
Wu Sanzun and his son led the way, while Mu Xuanyin and her disciple followed. The Zhou Tian Gate was soon right before them.
Seeing Wu Sanzun and his son, the Zhou Tian disciple responsible for receiving guests stepped forward calmly and nodded slightly to them: "Welcome, honored guests from the Shenwu Realm…"
Before he finished speaking, the corner of his eye suddenly caught the figures of Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che behind them. His expression froze, his gaze sharpened. Completely disregarding the two Divine Lords of the Shenwu Realm, his footsteps flew forward, and he slipped right between Wu Sanzun and his son, arriving before Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che.
He bowed his body respectfully and solemnly greeted: "May I ask if these two honored guests are Yin Xue Realm's Realm King Xuan Yin and Young Master Yun Che?"
Wu Sanzun and Wu Guike turned around, both looking completely dumbfounded.
Mu Xuanyin slightly nodded: "That is correct."
The Zhou Tian disciple's waist immediately bent another three degrees, and he said with the utmost respect: "Your servant is the Zhou Tian welcome disciple, Kong Lingzi. I have been awaiting the arrival of the two honored guests for quite some time. My master has ordered that if the two honored guests grace us with your presence, you are to proceed directly to the main hall, where my master will personally receive you."
"Please." He stepped aside, his waist remaining in a half-bowed position.
Mu Xuanyin lightly nodded and led Yun Che forward, passing by the petrified Wu Sanzun and his son, and entered the Zhou Tian Gate.
Kong Lingzi followed closely, respectfully trailing behind the two. It was clear that he intended to personally guide them to the main hall. Only after entering the Zhou Tian Gate did he suddenly remember the existence of Wu Sanzun and his son. He turned and said: "The two honored guests from the Shenwu Realm may also enter."
Having casually tossed out that sentence, he hurriedly took a few steps to catch up with Mu Xuanyin and her disciple, completely disregarding them from then on.
Wu Sanzun and Wu Guike stood there still, stunned as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight, unable to move for a long time.
Entering the Zhou Tian Realm, Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che, under the guidance of the welcome disciple, went directly to the main hall and met the Zhou Tian Shen Di.
"Yin Xue Realm King, and Yun Che, you have arrived." Seeing them, the Zhou Tian Shen Di revealed a smile and rose to welcome them.
After exchanging greetings, Yun Che asked: "Senior, did you specifically summon us because you wish for this junior to purify the demonic breath for you again?"
"Heh, I did intend to do so," the Zhou Tian Shen Di laughed. "However, the assembly is in three days, and I fear I will have little free time. Moreover, the demonic qi has shown no signs of flare-up recently. Everything will have to wait until after the Zhou Tian Assembly."
After speaking, he let out a faint sigh.
The Zhou Tian Shen Di had been carrying immense pessimism and despair every moment during this period. The weight on his heart was beyond what others could understand.
"However," the Zhou Tian Shen Di continued, "the delegation from the Fan Di God Realm arrived the day before yesterday. I specifically informed Qianye Fantian that you have cultivated the Light Profound Force and helped purify my demonic qi. When he learns of your arrival, he will surely request your assistance. Making him owe you a considerable favor will greatly benefit your future. I believe you understand my intention."
Yun Che nodded heavily: "This junior understands. Thank you for your kindness, Senior."
"Mm." The Zhou Tian Shen Di nodded and called out: "Su Liu!"
A woman responded, stepping forward and bowing respectfully: "Father."
Her form of address made Yun Che glance at her… This woman was actually one of the Zhou Tian Shen Di's children.
"You personally arrange accommodations for the esteemed guests, Yin Xue Realm King and Yun Che." The Zhou Tian Shen Di gave the instruction, then turned his gaze: "During your stay in the Zhou Tian Realm, please feel free to act without restraint. If you have any needs, simply give the orders."
"Yes." The daughter of Zhou Tian, named Su Liu, revealed surprise in her eyes but asked no further questions, responding solemnly.
Leaving the main hall, Yun Che felt quite emotional. He understood very well that the reason the Zhou Tian Shen Di treated them so favorably was only partly because he had cleansed his demonic qi. The more important reason was the world-shaking strength Mu Xuanyin had displayed before his eyes that day.
This was the most basic reality, the most fundamental law.
No sooner had they left the main hall than two familiar figures approached from ahead.
The old man in front was dressed in green robes, with a clean, gentle face, white hair and beard as pale as snow, and eyes as calm as an ancient well that had been silent for ten thousand years. His hands were clasped behind his back, his hair and beard flying, his robes fluttering — like an ancient immortal who had happened to step into the mortal world.
And the woman beside him had moth-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, dressed in white robes with an ancient sword, as if she had stepped out of a celestial painting. When she saw Yun Che, she suddenly stopped, her brows sharply furrowing: "Yun Che!"
Two words left her mouth, and a sword intent, like a silent tsunami, instantly engulfed the vast space around them.