Chapter 2006: Lin Divine Ancient Realm
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"Yun Che, have you ever entered the mist..."
Halfway through her sentence, Helian Lingzhu suddenly realized that Yun Che had no memories of the past, and quickly apologized: "Ah... sorry, I forgot."
Now, whenever she faced Yun Che, she would inexplicably feel flustered. Especially when her eyes met his, even her breathing became disordered and uncontrollable.
She lowered her head, trying to find a topic to cover her inner turmoil: "I heard from my master that the edges of the Mist Sea are very different now than before." "Conventionally speaking, Abyss Beasts and Abyss Ghosts will instinctively chase denser Abyss Dust, so they all concentrate deep within the Mist Sea. The stronger the Abyss Beast or Abyss Ghost, the more this holds true. But in recent years, powerful Abyss Beasts and Abyss Ghosts have been appearing in the edge regions of the Mist Sea."
"Sometimes Abyss Beasts even step out of the Mist Sea. It started as an occasional occurrence but has become more and more frequent. My master said this might be related to a phenomenon called the 'Time Black Tide.'"
Yun Che heard the words "Time Black Tide" once again.
He wondered just how much the beings of the Abyss knew about these four words.
And from Chi Wuyue's understanding as a Demon Emperor derived from the Nirvana Wheel Demon Soul, the "Time Black Tide" was inevitably accompanied by the impending collapse of this world's order.
Also... Abyss Ghosts? Chi Wuyue had mentioned those two words as well, but he hadn't clearly understood what they really were.
Perhaps they were another form of "destroyed undead" condensed from excessively dense Abyss Dust, similar to Abyss Beasts?
Just as Yun Che was about to inquire, a surge of profound energy from the Mysterious Ark rapidly approached.
Helian Lingzhu smiled rather bashfully: "It's my father."
Judging by the timing, he had indeed rushed over impatiently the moment he received the news.
He had been feigning injury and paralysis before the Lin Divine Assembly despite being eighty to ninety percent healed, but now that the fruits were ready to be plucked, he couldn't bear to wait another moment.
Although Yun Che had long seen Helian Jue's disgraceful side, this still made Helian Lingzhu feel utterly mortified.
Sensing Helian Lingzhu's aura, Helian Jue leaped directly off the Mysterious Ark. As he landed, a loud laugh rang out: "Hahaha! Worthy of Yun, virtuous nephew, worthy of my good daughter, hahahaha!"
"Father, your body..." Before Helian Lingzhu could finish her greeting, Helian Jue stepped forward and grabbed Yun Che's arm, his gaze burning with eagerness: "Yun, virtuous nephew, you asked me to entrust Lingzhu with leading this Lin Divine Assembly. If it were anyone else, I would never have allowed such an important matter. But I knew at a glance that you were a dragon from beyond the heavens—you say what you mean and follow through on your promises! So I entrusted this matter concerning the future of Helian to you and Lingzhu... and it has nothing to do with you saving my life."
Yun Che: "..."
"Yun, virtuous nephew, you have not disappointed me." Helian Jue grew more excited as he spoke, his once sickly face flushed red: "Such a great merit, I don't even know how to reward and thank you."
In previous years, the Helian Imperial Clan had always entered the Lin Divine Realm last, with only a hundred people allowed each time. But this time, they could enter a full three hundred and fifty! Entering the Lin Divine Realm once, even if it didn't transform them completely, would surely allow them to make great progress. The benefits to the next generation of the Helian Imperial Clan were unimaginable. And for Helian Jue, what thrilled him most was that the imperial prestige and reputation, which had been in decline for who knows how many years, had finally seen a resurgence.
Helian Jue's attitude toward Yun Che was now completely different from before.
He had single-handedly dominated all the genius disciples of the Panxuan Sect and Wanren Sect;
He had faced an Abyss Knight head-on... and then the Abyss Knight slapped the Panxuan Sect Master across the face;
He was only half a Jiazi in age;
He...
Each of these revelations made him more terrified, and combined with Yun Che's previous actions... even if he were ten times dumber, he should understand that Yun Che's background was so enormous that he didn't even dare to imagine it.
But soon, these terrors turned into ever-increasing ecstasy.
Because such an extraordinary figure had always been helping Helian Lingzhu, and this time he fought for the Helian Imperial Clan because of her. Their relationship was likely far closer than he had previously imagined. Perhaps the two of them...
If he could keep him in the imperial clan, even just forging a connection with the vast power behind him, what need would there be to fear the Worship Qilin Alliance in the future!
So when he saw Yun Che again this time, his eagerness was as if he had met his long-dead father.
Yun Che said indifferently: "I came this time first to witness the legendary Lin Divine Realm, and second to repay the princess's life-saving grace. As for the rest..."
"Understood! I understand it all." Helian Jue nodded and smiled knowingly: "Yun, virtuous nephew, from now on, you may consider the Helian Imperial Clan as your own home. You can come and go freely in any place. Whenever you wish to see Lingzhu, or take her anywhere, it's up to the two of you."
Yun Che: "..."
"Father, you... what nonsense are you talking about?" Helian Lingzhu's eyes were full of panic.
"Hahaha!" Helian Jue laughed again, waved at Helian Lingzhu, and said: "Lingzhu, come with me. I have something to tell you."
"Yes." Helian Lingzhu cast an apologetic glance at Yun Che but could only reluctantly comply.
Just as Helian Jue and his daughter were about to leave, Helian Linglang's urgent shout came from behind.
"Father!"
Without turning his head, Helian Jue thrust his palm backward, sending Helian Linglang, who was rushing over, crashing heavily to the ground with a blast of profound energy.
"I don't have a son like you. Get lost! The farther, the better!"
With that, he gave a heavy snort and left with a flick of his sleeves.
Clearly feeling Helian Jue's disappointment and fury, Helian Linglang dared not approach. He just knelt on the ground, his face full of fear and trepidation, watching Helian Jue take Helian Lingzhu away. Only then did he notice Yun Che nearby. Helian Linglang scrambled to his feet awkwardly but didn't leave. Instead, he moved closer to Yun Che, his expression full of deference: "Yun... Young Master, I was blind before and said many offensive things. Please... for Lingzhu's sake, don't take it to heart. From now on, whatever advice you give, I will never say a word against."
Yun Che glanced at him sideways, half-smiling: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is too kind. I never gave any of what happened before a second thought."
Nonsense. Did this loser even deserve a sliver of his attention?
Hearing him address him as "Your Highness the Crown Prince," Helian Linglang felt both pleased and reassured, his pressure easing and his back straightening a bit. He quickly said: "As expected of Young Master Yun, your magnanimity is as vast as the sea."
"Does Your Highness the Crown Prince have something to say?"
Since there was still some time before the Lin Divine Realm opened, and nothing else to do, Yun Che didn't mind passing the time with this fool.
Helian Linglang looked embarrassed, his posture even more cautious, with none of the dignity befitting a crown prince: "To be honest, Young Master Yun, I do have a favor to ask."
"In recent years, my father's gaze toward me has grown increasingly disappointed. There have long been rumors in the imperial city that he might depose me and establish Lingzhu as the Crown Princess. Coupled with today's events..."
Yun Che: "..."
Helian Linglang looked up, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of grief: "Today's events warrant my father's anger at me. Lingzhu indeed surpasses me in many ways. But... she is, after all, just a woman. If she were made Crown Princess and eventually ascended the throne, wouldn't that invite ridicule from others? It would also bring shame upon the ancestors of Helian."
"Young Master Yun, though you are close with Lingzhu, I believe you, as a fellow man, must understand."
Yun Che smiled amiably: "So, Your Highness the Crown Prince wishes me to advise your father?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Helian Linglang nodded eagerly: "As expected of Young Master Yun, you see through it at a glance. My father now regards you as a heavenly being; he will surely heed whatever you say. As long as you can calm his anger and make him abandon the idea of making Lingzhu crown princess, I, Helian Linglang, will be grateful to you forever and obey your every command."
"When I become the ruler of Helian in the future, whether you desire Lingzhu... or any woman in Helian that catches your fancy, I will present her to you with both hands."
Like many in the imperial clan, they believed Yun Che was "selling his life" for the imperial family only because he had taken a fancy to Helian Lingzhu.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is indeed sincere." Looking at Helian Linglang's expectant face, Yun Che shifted his tone: "However, Your Highness's worries need no words from me to resolve. You can solve them yourself."
"This... please enlighten me, Young Master Yun."
"Simple. Do you know why your path to the crown has been so fraught with obstacles?" Yun Che assumed a lofty air: "It's because your name is unlucky."
"Name?" Helian Linglang froze.
Yun Che drawled: "Your name is Linglang, bearing two 'kings.' As the saying goes, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers, and one court cannot have two kings. This name is inherently antagonistic to you; how could it bring you peace?"
Helian Linglang was stunned for a moment, then tentatively asked: "But Lingzhu, her name also bears two 'kings'..."
"You said it yourself, Lingzhu is a woman; she cannot be king, only queen." Yun Che's expression was deeply profound: "A queen accompanied by two kings—this is a name of great nobility, ensuring she can break through obstacles and attain glory and honor."
Helian Linglang's heartstrings suddenly twitched.
Earlier, Mo Cangying, the most outstanding disciple of this generation from Helian Tianfu, had remained steadfastly loyal to her. Now, another figure like Yun Che was repeatedly helping her... Wasn't this precisely the protection of two kings?
One name was inherently self-defeating; the other was protected by two kings... No wonder!
Yun Che was a person of astonishing talent who didn't even fear an Abyss Knight! His breadth of knowledge and depth of insight must far exceed this plane of the Linyuan Realm. How could his words be false?
As if he had finally found the crux of the problem, Helian Linglang's demeanor became even more respectful: "Then, in Young Master Yun's wise opinion, what character should I use in my name?"
"Even simpler." Yun Che folded his arms and said unhurriedly: "Your ambitions are modest—just a mere ruler of a nation."
"The Linyuan Realm is founded on 'earth,' and the profound arts cultivated by its practitioners are all earth-based. Therefore, your name should include the character for 'temple'—meaning 'inch of earth' to signify that every inch of land beneath your rule, every fraction of earth profound force, and even every practitioner of earth profound force, all belong to the ruler."
Helian Linglang nodded repeatedly, agreeing: "Exactly! As the ruler, every inch of land should be under my dominion!"
"The other character, then, let it be 'Xun.'" Yun Che narrowed his eyes, looking deeply profound: "The upper part of 'Xun' represents grass, signifying all living things; the lower part 'Xun' signifies eternity spanning a thousand autumns."
"Thus, in these two short characters, you encompass all of Linyuan. And your surname happens to be 'Helian'—connecting everything. This would imply that all of this is unified and controlled in your hands."
"Helian Sixun." Yun Che smiled, turned around, and walked away slowly: "There is no name more fitting for Your Highness the Crown Prince. I wish Your Highness from now on... to live up to this name."
Until Yun Che disappeared from his sight, Helian Linglang still stood there, muttering repeatedly:
"Helian Sixun... Helian Sixun!" His eyes sparkled with strange light: "An inch of land, all living things, the cycles of time... all connected in my hands! Yes, indeed, it was the name Linglang that misled me! It was my mother who gave me this name and misled me!"
"Heh, heheheh!"
A cold laugh sounded behind him.
Helian Linglang turned around, his face darkening: "Mo Cangying, what are you laughing at?"
"...Nothing. It's better if Your Highness doesn't know." Mo Cangying suppressed his smile and turned to leave.
"Insolent! Mo Cangying, you seem to be increasingly forgetting your place." Helian Linglang's voice turned icy. He could be obsequious in front of Yun Che, but Mo Cangying... what right did he have to mock him to his face?
Mo Cangying stopped and said flatly: "Since Your Highness wishes to know, I will, of course, tell you everything."
"For 'Xun' without the 'seed' radical becomes 'dog.' And 'temple' with a 'person' radical becomes 'servant.' Put these two characters together, and they describe a pile of dog shit that wears human skin but has no seed."
Helian Linglang stood there, frozen.
Then his features began to tremble, gradually shaking his entire body...
*Crack!*
He ground eight of his molars into dust, the surging anger and shame almost piercing his skull. But he lacked the courage, and even more, the balls to charge in front of Yun Che. He could only let out a roaring howl of frustration.
............
Yun Che completely concealed his aura, his footsteps soundless. After a few ghostly flickers, a figure appeared in his sight, equally devoid of any presence.
Long Jiang!
"You weren't eavesdropping, were you?" Yun Che actively approached her.
Long Jiang didn't move an inch but spoke coldly: "I don't have such low tastes as you."
"If you weren't eavesdropping, how would you know my tastes are low?" Yun Che curled his lips slightly: "Actually, I think that name suits him quite well."
Long Jiang: "..."
"Speaking of which," Yun Che's gaze swept over her without the slightest concealment several times: "You've been working hard to hide your aura. It shouldn't just be to conceal your race, should it?"
"Let me guess, Chi Dragon, Qiu Dragon, Hui Dragon, Ying Dragon, Azure Dragon, Jiao Dragon, Shen Dragon... Which kind of dragon could you be?"
"None of your business!" Long Jiang's tone remained as cold as ever, devoid of emotion.
"The more someone tries too hard to hide, the more curious they become." Yun Che withdrew his gaze and changed the subject: "Forget it, I don't seem to be that interested. Just out of curiosity, why is your vital essence loss so severe? Did you get seriously injured recently, or..."
"Shut up!"
Two words, but no longer devoid of emotion—they carried a distinct anger.
Yun Che narrowed his eyes slightly: "Vital essence loss and injury are two different things. If you continue to lose at this rate, at worst, your progress will slow, your talent will be permanently diminished, and your lifespan will drastically shorten. At worst..."
"Get lost!!"
One furious word cut off Yun Che's speech. She turned coldly and walked away: "Come near me again, and I'll kill you!"
Yun Che didn't speak again or leave. He simply watched her back quickly fade into the distance. Just as she was about to disappear from view, he suddenly asked out of the blue: "You are an Ancestral Dragon!"
The gray-white figure paused almost imperceptibly, then vanished from Yun Che's sight.
"Indeed," Yun Che murmured to himself.
*'Worthy of a bloodline mixed with the ancient Dragon God's. The purity of your Dragon God bloodline probably isn't much inferior to those [Ancestral Dragons], tsk tsk.'*
That was the muttered remark Mo Beichen had made when he locked his throat with the hand of a demigod.
This made Yun Che even more curious: What exactly was she so determined to obtain by entering the Lin Divine Realm?
What concerned him wasn't the object she sought itself, but the potential variables it could introduce.
He had originally been seventy percent certain that the last Evil God Seed was on the Qilin inside the Lin Divine Realm. After learning the fate of the other beast clans from Helian Lingzhu, his confidence was nearly one hundred percent.
No one else would go looking for the Evil God Seed, nor would they even know of its existence. So he was convinced that what Long Jiang sought was different from what he sought.
And he repeatedly tested Long Jiang because he had to worry that what she sought was also on that Qilin.
The Lin Divine Realm contained the purest and densest earth elements, various earth-element treasures born from the earth... but none of these could possibly be what a figure like Long Jiang sought.
Then there was only that "last Qilin."
If so, both of their goals would be that same Qilin.
"I hope it won't be too much trouble," Yun Che could only think.
His hearing caught the sound of Helian Jue earnestly persuading Helian Lingzhu.
"Lingzhu, this concerns your life's major event, and even more, the future fate of the Helian bloodline. No matter what... use whatever method necessary to keep Yun Che! Even if you can't keep him, at least keep his child!"
"Father, Young Master Yun and I..."
"Don't say anything else!" Helian Jue lowered his voice: "I drove him away sternly before, yet he still saved my life. This time, participating in the Lin Divine Assembly, claiming he wants to see the Lin Divine Realm is just an excuse. With his abilities, how could he care about a mere Lin Divine Realm? All of this is clearly for you."
Helian Lingzhu: "..."
"In short, be a little more proactive, and you'll surely keep him. If all else fails... resort to drugs! Right, drugs! I'll send someone to prepare them now!"
"Father, you... you've gone mad!"
The sound of Helian Lingzhu walking away quickly.
Soon after, the angry roar of Helian Jue scolding the participating disciples rang out.
"Fang Zhonghe! Helian Peng! Do you know how much effort and resources our Helian Imperial Clan spent to train you into Divine Lords? And this is how you repay us?!"
"Your... Your Majesty! At that time... the Crown Prince ordered us, and we dared not disobey."
"Yes, Your Majesty, the other disciples can attest to that..."
"Shut up! Useless, shameless wretches, even blaming the Crown Prince!" Helian Jue's voice trembled with rage: "I tell you, some time ago, the Worship Qilin Alliance came to me to show off, claiming they would establish a new kingdom in the Western Domain and change the dynasty!"
"By then, not only our dignity but even the lands of Helian will be taken from us! Then... will you still be the shrinking turtles?"
Fang Zhonghe: "No, no! I, Fang Zhonghe, have 'loyalty' in my name. Born a Helian, dead a Helian ghost! If Helian is in danger, I will defend it even at the cost of my life!"
Helian Peng: "Whoever dares to invade Helian's territory, I, Peng, will..."
"Get lost!" The sound of a kick overturning something shook the eardrums: "Who do you think you are to say that?!"
............
The final battle of the Lin Divine Assembly quickly concluded, and the results were clear.
The Liesha Sect placed last, losing the qualification to enter the Lin Divine Realm.
The Panxuan Sect and Wanren Sect were originally evenly matched... but before the battle began, Zhai Liancheng somehow woke up, covered in wounds, and entered the battlefield under the gazes of a group of bewildered onlookers.
A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. He was at least a fourth-rank Divine Lord, and even with diminished power, he exerted immense pressure on the opponent.
In the end, the Panxuan Sect won, placing third, allowing two hundred people to enter; the Wanren Sect placed fourth, allowing a hundred people to enter.
Another twelve hours passed, and finally, the time came for the Lin Divine Realm to open.
Before the barrier of the Lin Divine Realm, Ximen Boyun was already standing. The Pure Land Divine Pattern on the back of his hand shimmered with a soul-seizing might, echoing the faint glow of the barrier's profound light.
In front of Ximen Boyun, the Helian Imperial Clan, the Worship Qilin Alliance, the Panxuan Sect, and the Wanren Sect had all assembled.
Yun Che cast a distant glance at Long Jiang. She stood alone, far apart from everyone, not close to anyone.
Withdrawing his gaze and focusing his mind, Yun Che narrowed his eyes, silently watching the barrier of the secret realm about to open.
Take this step, and I will truly become... the current Evil God. Evil God Nixuan, Heaven's Calamity Demon Emperor Jie Yuan, with your gifts upon me, I will surely protect the world I cherish—the world you spared no effort to save!