# Chapter 2020: Mist Sea Welcomes the Emperor
"No need to be surprised." A voice carrying a sacred aura gently soothed Yun Che's suddenly agitated emotions. "At the moment she was about to dissipate, I knew I could save her. That was an instinctive cognition imprinted on my soul source, unrelated to memory. Perhaps it's because... I am the Life Creation God."
At this moment, Yun Che believed so strongly that she was the Life Creation God.
"Then He Ling... where is she now?" Yun Che slowly straightened up. "My life is connected to hers, so why can't I sense her at all?"
Li Suo spoke softly: "Since her life source and soul source have scattered, the life connection between you and her, as well as the soul connection between her and the Heavenly Poison Pearl, have naturally broken."
These words chilled Yun Che's heart. He murmured, "Life source and soul source have scattered... can she really... still be alive?"
"According to your cognition, according to the cognition of the mortal world, of course not," Li Suo said. "But I am the Life Creation God, and He Ling just happens to have a life source similar to mine. I preserved her final existence and safeguarded it within the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal. When the time is ripe, I can restore her to wholeness... whether it's her life or her soul."
She spoke the most incredible words in the world with a voice that was the most gentle and soft.
"Time? What time?" Yun Che pressed urgently.
That's right—she was the Life Creation God! What he couldn't do, what was beyond his cognition... she could definitely do!
"When my Creation Divine Power has recovered enough. And the person who determines this time is you, not me."
Li Suo gave him an answer that was unexpected yet not surprising.
Yun Che didn't press immediately. Instead, he calmed his heart and, after a brief deliberation, suddenly said, "In other words, your Creation Divine Power must rely on me to recover?"
"Not just that." Li Suo whispered, "My very existence also depends on the Primordial Divine Breath on your body."
Whether it was because the Life Creation God's divine heart was inherently pure and holy, flawless and spotless, or because she was like a newborn after awakening, with cognition and experience outside the fragments being extremely shallow... she had completely laid bare her own situation, or rather her own trump card, before Yun Che.
A Creation God who was originally standing at the highest place overlooking all living beings in the world was now personally admitting... that she had to rely on him to exist!?
"...!" Briefly stunned, Yun Che's brows unconsciously narrowed.
Boundless absurdity and incredibility... but coincidentally, Yun Che was the only person in this world who could rationalize it.
Because on Yun Che's body, there truly existed something at a higher level than a Creation God... the Void Divine Body!
The "Primordial Divine Breath" that Li Suo mentioned was undoubtedly the life aura naturally released by the Void Divine Body. And under the gap in levels, the "Primordial Divine Breath" should have been something even a Creation God couldn't perceive—just like when Jie Yuan had returned to the world back then, she had never detected any trace of the Primordial God on Yun Che, and had been extremely shocked by his coexistence of light and darkness... On the other hand, Xia Qingyue's life aura and memories had caused her to suddenly notice the existence of the Primordial Will.
And Li Suo had initially thought it was He Ling's life aura that had awakened her. It wasn't until she witnessed Yun Che's dialogue with the Primordial Will that she understood the existence of the "Primordial Divine Breath" on Yun Che.
What had been bestowed upon Yun Che was the Primordial Divine Power restored by the Primordial Will through sacrificing six hundred cycles of reincarnation. Compared to a true Primordial God, it was like a single grain of sand beneath a vast starry sky.
But it was already enough to defy heaven and the Dao.
This was the terror of levels.
"I see." Yun Che slowly nodded. "I understand. As long as I become strong enough, as long as my life aura is vigorous enough, it can allow your life, soul, and Creation Divine Power to recover as well. And when they have recovered enough, He Ling can be revived?"
If it were someone else, Yun Che would have suspected that this was using He Ling's revival as leverage to force him to become stronger as quickly as possible, completing her own recovery and freedom.
But she was the Life Creation God, with a holy soul and a holy heart. Even in her weakest state, she was unwilling to harm He Ling's life aura. How could she have such thoughts of threatening others?
"That is correct." Li Suo's voice sounded, neither joyful nor sorrowful, like a dream or a mist. "I cannot determine whether your progress dictates the upper limit of my recovery. But the higher the level you are at, the faster my recovery will inevitably be, and it will also draw closer to the time when your He Ling revives."
Suppressing the excitement and ecstasy churning within his soul, Yun Che hesitated for a moment but still couldn't hold back and asked, "Then can I... see her now?"
"You can, but it's not recommended," Li Suo replied. "This world has the omnipresent abyss dust. Opening the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal could allow abyss dust to invade, potentially causing unpredictable consequences. Moreover, she must sleep now. Even if you see her, you cannot communicate with her. Forcibly awakening her... the consequences would be unpredictable."
Yun Che immediately abandoned that thought and quickly said, "I understand. I was too impatient."
She's still here...
Thank goodness... really thank goodness...
Ten years... a hundred years... a thousand or ten thousand years... being able to see her complete and unharmed again—no matter how long I have to wait, it's fine.
The abyss is treacherous at every step, sinful at every step. It's better for you to sleep peacefully, no longer needing to worry about me, no longer having to bear sins with me.
Recalling his earlier conversation with Hong'er, where Hong'er said the "white big sister" would fall into a long sleep after healing him... Clearly, the Life Miracle she had performed in her current state, though world-shaking, had severely damaged her.
His external injuries had healed, and though his internal injuries were severe... based on past experience, when fusing with the Evil God Seed, all his injuries would recover along with it.
It was as if every return of an Evil God Seed was a renewal for him.
"Li Suo..." Yun Che hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, "Or should I call you... Lady Creation God?"
Li Suo's response was still as elegant as a secluded spring: "My past memories and cognition are all shattered and drifting. I no longer know what demeanor a Creation God should have. The title is up to you."
"I see." Yun Che thought for a moment. "Can I understand it this way: your past memories and cognition are gradually recovering, but because they are 'shattered and drifting,' they no longer feel like your own. And what truly belongs to 'yourself' is only the cognition from after your awakening these past few years?"
"Yes." Yun Che had indeed accurately interpreted Li Suo's feelings.
"In that case, from the time I obtained the Primordial Chaos Life-Death Seal until now, it's been barely five years at most. From this perspective, you are Li Suo, but not entirely the former Li Suo—rather, a new Li Suo..."
His gaze fixed on Li Suo's face veiled in white light, he tried to sense any change in her emotions and aura: "Then should I call you... Little Li Suo?"
"That is also acceptable."
"..." Li Suo's response left Yun Che momentarily stunned.
As expected of a Creation God! And even more so, as expected of the woman that even the two Creation Gods couldn't handle! Faced with such an obvious and deliberate presumptuous remark, she remained this serene!
"Actually..." Yun Che was instead at a loss. "I was joking."
Li Suo: "?"
Yun Che had no choice but to change the subject: "Your existence is still very weak right now. Try not to use your power unless absolutely necessary. As for my internal injuries, I can leave them for now."
The backlash of Divine Ashes was terrifying. Although he appeared to have no external injuries now, in truth, his meridians were half-broken, his five organs were ruptured, and chaotic currents of profound energy were constantly spiraling out of control throughout his body.
Li Suo whispered, "Since you have regained consciousness, my power is naturally unnecessary. For now, you should find a quiet place to fuse the Evil God Seed you have just obtained."
"Right." Yun Che gazed into the distance... the sandstorm surrounding the Linyuan Realm was near the horizon. He couldn't completely rule out the possibility that Ximen Boyun had noticed something amiss and was pursuing him out of the Linyuan Realm.
His target was quickly determined: "Let's go to the Mist Sea."
He had already confirmed in the Linyuan Realm that abyss dust greatly restricted spiritual perception.
And the Mist Sea's abyss dust was far denser than the outside world, naturally imposing even greater limits on perception. Meanwhile, his own spiritual perception was gradually no longer affected by abyss dust... So when he was in the Mist Sea, at least in terms of perception, he had a huge advantage.
At the same time, he wanted to know just how far his interference with abyss dust could go.
Li Suo did not speak to him further. The white light faded, and like celestial clouds blown away by a gentle breeze, she disappeared before Yun Che's eyes.
"Ah! White big sister, you still haven't answered me... you can't run away!"
Hong'er immediately transformed into a streak of red light and returned to the Heavenly Poison Pearl, chasing after Li Suo's aura.
She was always carefree and never took anything to heart, but for some reason, deep in her subconscious, she felt that the name "Wan Hu" was very important to her.
Yun Xi, He Ling, Shen Xi's news, the now-manifest Li Suo... In just a single day, everything had stirred Yun Che's sea of soul into turmoil.
He flew up at low altitude, heading straight for that gray world that devoured the heavens and the earth.
Yun Xi... my daughter, you're right. With my current strength, even if I forcibly get close to you and Shen Xi, I couldn't protect you at all... all I could bring would truly be disaster.
Wait for me for a while...
Your father... he has the favor of the Primordial God, the inheritance of the Evil God and the Calamity Demon Emperor, and someone who sacrificed herself to change his fate... and now, a Creation God has no choice but to become his ally...
He even has the determination to go all out...
So, even if this is the abyss, given enough time, he will surely grow strong enough to fear nothing... Whatever you have endured before, when we meet again, everything from then on, he will bear for you.
The Mist Sea grew closer. Yun Che's gaze unconsciously flickered toward the direction Yun Xi had gone.
The Dragon Clan...
My daughter, my Shen Xi—if you receive their protection, in the future, I will surely show them leniency. The kindness shown, I will repay a hundredfold!
But...
If they mistreat my daughter and my Shen Xi...
Then I will make their entire clan... vanish eternally in this abyss!
The moment he touched the edge of the Mist Sea, his figure was suddenly swallowed whole by a massive gray maw, completely vanishing into the vast, rolling gray mist.
...
...
Ancestral Dragon Mountains, at the foot of the highest peak.
It was as if all the dragon might of the entire Ancestral Dragon Mountains had gathered here. Even without any barrier, that formless, vast pressure would terrify all living beings, daring none to approach.
Because this was where the Ancestral Dragon Temple was located.
At this moment, within the deathly silent Ancestral Dragon Temple, the sound of slowly approaching footsteps came.
"Chixin, you've come."
An aged voice, carrying a vast authority enough to freeze the heavens and the earth, and also seeming to hold a hint of hidden weariness.
A middle-aged man knelt before the temple: "Chixin pays respects to the Dragon Lord."
"Rise and speak," the Dragon Lord's voice came from within the temple.
Long Chixin stood up, his upper body still half-bowed: "Long Xi went to a remote region called the 'Linyuan Realm.' Using the power of a local force called the 'Worship Qilin Sect,' she entered the Lin Divine Realm. But on the very first day of entry, the Lin Divine Realm suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, she managed to escape in time. The injuries on her body should have been caused by the spatial turbulence from the collapse of the secret realm."
"Linyuan Realm... Lin Divine Realm." The aged voice murmured softly, then asked, "You visited her just now. How did she respond?"
Long Chixin said, "She said she had obtained the Earth Element Treasure, called the Qilin Bone Spirit Orchid."
"..." The Dragon Lord remained silent for a long time.
Seeing the Dragon Lord's prolonged silence, Long Chixin couldn't help but ask, "Dragon Lord, why do you care so much about this matter?"
A long sigh came from within the temple.
"Although the Linyuan Realm is a remote place, it is where the earth element is most active in this world. The so-called Earth Element Treasure could only appear there. So based on the records of the Linyuan Realm, I gave it the name 'Qilin Bone Spirit Orchid.'"
"And this 'Qilin Bone Spirit Orchid' had only appeared briefly in the history of the Linyuan Realm. I had thought it would never reappear, but unexpectedly..."
"Could it really be the will of heaven?"
Long Chixin looked up in shock: "Dragon Lord, do you mean that... the 'Five Elemental Treasures' you spoke of earlier..."
"That's right. The Five Elemental Treasures were merely my fabrication." The Dragon Lord finally spoke the truth that had been hidden in the depths of his heart.
"What—" Long Chixin's face showed astonishment.
The Dragon Lord said slowly, "The abyss dust is not only devouring the lives of our Dragon Clan, but also our talent. The decline of each generation is clearly visible, all the way down to Wangchu... sigh."
A sigh revealed just how disappointed he had once been with Long Wangchu.
"And Long Xi's appearance was like a divine miracle and hope bestowed by heaven. Over the years, I have thought more than once about choosing her as a successor..."
"Absolutely not!" Before the Dragon Lord could finish, Long Chixin had already cried out in alarm: "Although Long Xi's talent is extremely high, she is ultimately an outsider dragon, not the Dragon Lord's successor. Moreover, she is half-human, half-dragon, and doesn't even have the ability to transform into a dragon body... How can our Dragon Clan be led in the future by a half-human, half-dragon?"
"Of course I understand what you're saying," said the Dragon Lord. "Therefore, using her blood essence to nourish Wangchu is the best choice. And Wangchu's progress in recent years, as well as the changes in his dragon aura, have been seen by all—truly like a miracle."
"However, her temperament is clear to everyone."
"Her coldness and indifference seem to be ingrained in her bones. Regardless of gender or age, she doesn't approach anyone, doesn't say an extra word to anyone... Even in her transaction with me, she specifically emphasized that it was a fair exchange with no debts owed."
Long Xi's nature, Long Chixin naturally knew... The most common word everyone heard from Long Xi was "scram."
She didn't want to have any relationship with any dragon clan member. Behind her extreme coldness... it was as if she had suffered some deep trauma.
"She trades her blood essence for protection. But although she has always been deficient in blood essence, she still grows far too fast. The Divine Annihilation Realm, which others find unattainable in a lifetime, is within her reach even while depleting her blood essence..."
"And when she is strong enough, she will no longer need protection, and will naturally stop providing blood essence to Wangchu. Since there are no emotional ties and it's a fair exchange with no debts, I would have no reason to keep her then... If I tried to force her, given her temperament, she would surely choose mutual destruction."
"So, after learning of her one and only obsession, I fabricated the existence of the 'Five Elemental Treasures.' I told her that if she obtained all five and supplemented them with my dragon force, she could awaken the soul within 'that sword.'"
"And my condition for offering my dragon force to her at that time was that before she found all five treasures, she must remain in the Dragon Clan and not interrupt her 'offering' to Wangchu."
The Dragon Lord's voice gradually weakened... Without a doubt, this was the most despicable thing he had ever done in his life.
But for the future of the Dragon Clan, he had no choice.
"To make her believe, the 'Five Elemental Treasures' I selected were all treasures that had appeared in records, not fabrications. However, each of the 'Five Elemental Treasures' I chose had only appeared briefly, making obtaining even one of them nearly impossible. But... in just a few decades, she has already found four of them."
Thus, he had to lament "the will of heaven."
No ancient texts in the abyss contained records of the "Five Elemental Treasures." But the Dragon Lord's lifespan was nearly a million years, and his knowledge was enough to surpass countless records.
Moreover, as the supreme Dragon Lord, second only to the Pure Land and the Six Nations' Seven Gods, how could he utter such a despicable lie to a junior...
So not only did Long Xi believe it, all the dragons who knew of this matter believed it without question.
Long Chixin lowered his head deeply, his lips trembling.
He couldn't believe it... he even found it somewhat unacceptable that the supreme Dragon Lord would...
But thinking of Long Wangchu's original talent and progress, and the future of the Ancestral Dragon bloodline... he could only let out a long sigh.
"Dragon Lord, the reason you told me this today is probably..."
"That's right." The Dragon Lord's voice was slow and solemn: "At least until Wangchu achieves the Divine Annihilation Realm, the final treasure must absolutely... not be found by her."
Having come this far, there was no second choice.
Long Chixin nodded heavily: "I understand. Please rest assured, Dragon Lord."
After a brief hesitation, he still asked, "Dragon Lord, Chixin has one question, purely out of curiosity."
"That sword that Long Xi has always been obsessed with... is there really no way to awaken the sword soul within it?"
After a long silence, the Dragon Lord finally replied, "I have probed my consciousness into that barrier more than once, but every time, the result was exactly the same."
"It is an ancient-looking, but utterly ordinary... dead sword."
"There is no sword soul. Such a common sword is fundamentally incapable of giving birth to a sword soul."
Long Chixin: "But—"
"Her obsession may be born from her unwillingness to accept the truth, or perhaps... there truly is a sleeping soul within that sword that only she can sense."
"But no matter what, that is her only obsession. I can even clearly perceive that it is the only reason she continues to live... If that obsession of hers were severed, then there would be nothing left in this world to keep her."
Long Chixin nodded: "I understand. Thank you for your revelation, Dragon Lord. The words spoken today will never be known to a third person."
"Go now... Although this matter is difficult to speak of to others, you should understand its importance."
"Yes!" Long Chixin bowed solemnly, then turned to leave... but he suddenly stopped and said, "Dragon Lord, given Long Xi's shrewdness and her nature of trusting no one, could it be that she suspected the 'Five Elemental Treasures' were a lie from the very beginning?"
The Dragon Lord's voice rang out: "A drowning person, even if ninety percent suspicious, must grasp at that one and only straw."
"I used her obsession, but... I must never trigger that worst outcome."
"...Rest assured, Dragon Lord." Long Chixin bowed once more and left slowly.
The silence before the Ancestral Dragon Hall returned once more, suffocating.
A long time later, a somber wind carried the Dragon Lord's sighing voice:
"Long Xi... if you were my descendant, I would have no regrets even in death, sigh."
He had indeed proposed more than once that Long Xi become his adoptive daughter... but each time, she had refused without even a moment's hesitation.
----