Chapter 2037: Silencing
As the yellow jade gently dissipated, the profound energy around Yun Che finally stopped being chaotic and instead began to circulate slowly. His expression also relaxed noticeably.
On the other hand, Hua Caili's heart and soul were still surging, unable to calm down for a long time.
Every breakthrough for a profound practitioner is a growth and rebirth of their profound energy. A breakthrough in a major realm is even more so a qualitative transformation.
Breaking through while severely injured, the loss of control and overflow of profound energy is the most normal thing.
But the profound energy he had lost control of clearly erupted with five different elemental forces.
Right before her eyes, at this short distance of a few feet,
Apart from the light profound force that only exists in ancient records, there are six elemental profound forces in the world: water, fire, wind, lightning, earth, and darkness.
He actually cultivates five of them!?
This completely goes against the common sense of the profound path taught to her by her aunt, her father god, and the divine officials.
Even among the four great divine officials, the one most skilled in elemental forces, with a special profound vein and divine inheritance, the Spiritual Immortal Divine Official, can only control three elemental forces at the same time.
She wanted very much to make a sound and ask her aunt, who was hidden somewhere unknown, but feared disturbing Yun Che, so she could only stare blankly like this... Unknowingly, she had been gazing at him for a long time.
The vortex of profound energy around Yun Che was getting slower and slower, as if it had been completely controlled.
But just as the profound energy seemed to be completely calming down, a sudden change occurred.
The misty world around them suddenly stirred with airflow. Before Hua Caili could react, a storm arose, and countless streams of air surged toward Yun Che's body. Yun Che's outer robe and long hair were lifted. The initial momentum of these air currents was already astonishing, but with each passing breath, they became more violent. The heaven and earth spiritual energy of the entire space seemed to go completely mad, surging toward Yun Che, and even the abyss dust could not stop it.
Even Hua Qingying, who was far away, could perceive the violent stirring of the airflow around her.
She looked at Yun Che, shock entering her heart and soul from her eyes.
Such a degree of aura disturbance simply should not belong to a breakthrough in the Divine Lord Realm.
Instead, it seemed like... a breakthrough in the Divine Annihilation Realm! The surging of heaven and earth spiritual energy continued without any sign of slowing down. Hua Caili's long hair was lifted, and the veil covering her face was almost blown off. She looked at Yun Che with even more astonishment, as if staring at a monster that had never existed in cognition.
She had a vague feeling as if the entire mist sea, the entire world, was trembling because of the breakthrough of the man before her.
At this moment, Hua Qingying suddenly turned her clear eyes... She was startled to realize that her divine sense had completely left Hua Caili for a full seven breaths.
Yun Che...
In the Linyuan Realm, using the power of a Divine Sovereign to torment a group of Divine Lords; his breakthrough in the Divine Lord Realm stirred the heaven and earth aura as if it were a demigod's breakthrough.
The power on his body clearly surpassed common sense.
Who exactly is this child?
The violent surging of airflow lasted for a full hundred breaths before finally slowly stopping.
Yun Che's black hair fell, his expression peaceful, as if in a comfortable light sleep.
Even the scars that were originally etched on his face had faded significantly.
Everything returned to calm, except for the maiden guarding by his side, whose heart still rippled with too unusual waves.
Li Suo silently watched Yun Che's actions and Hua Caili's reaction. She suddenly didn't understand what Yun Che was thinking.
Before he grew strong enough, he should have tried to hide the secrets on his body.
But now, he was clearly deliberately showing them, completely opposite to what he had done before and the Demon Empress's warning.
However, since he did this, he must have his reasons.
At that moment, Hua Caili suddenly turned to look behind her, her expression gradually becoming serious.
Five auras were rapidly approaching. Among them, four were at the same Half-step Divine Annihilation Realm as her.
And the aura in the center... that clear oppressive feeling was clearly the Divine Annihilation Realm!
Such a formidable group was something she had encountered for the first time in this area of the mist sea.
As they got closer, voices faintly came over.
"The commotion from before was definitely in this direction."
"Such a strong smell of blood... It seems there was a fierce battle here not long ago."
Soon, five figures appeared in Hua Caili's line of sight. The four behind were all dressed in gray clothes, with sharp glints in their eyes. At the Half-step Divine Annihilation Realm, they would be strong, even overlord-level existences in any region below the Divine Kingdoms. But at this moment, these four were in a crescent formation, respectfully following the person in front.
In the mist sea, for convenience in hiding, people generally chose dark-colored clothing. But this person was dressed in silver. The profound light flowing on it did not hide the defensive divine patterns engraved on it, and it undoubtedly made him more conspicuous.
And the aura of the Divine Annihilation Realm on him gave him proud qualifications even in the mist sea.
Looking at the ground covered with abyssal beast remains, the five all had serious expressions. But after abyssal beasts die, their residual aura quickly dissipates with the abyss dust, making it hard to accurately identify their strength before death. The few quickly turned their gazes to Hua Caili and Yun Che.
One was at Half-step Divine Annihilation, with a floating aura, her profound power apparently having just been greatly depleted. One was at the peak of Divine Lord Realm Level 2, with profound energy gathering again... clearly in the midst of a breakthrough.
The caution in their eyes instantly dissipated.
Hua Caili waved her jade hand, and a small barrier enveloped the area where Yun Che was. The Liyun Sword also crossed in front of her with the trajectory of her jade finger, releasing flawless sword light.
Eyes like heavenly stars, skin like congealed snow, sword like bright jade. Even with a veil covering her face, her elegance still stunned their gaze and heavily shook their heartstrings.
She shouldn't exist in the mist sea, and even... is not worthy of being in this mundane world. The silver-clothed man quickly noticed his own loss of composure and showed a kind smile: "This celestial maiden need not be nervous. We were just attracted by the commotion, worried that someone might have encountered misfortune, and came to see if we could lend a hand. Seeing that the two of you are unharmed, we will no longer disturb you."
Such a stunning woman was something he had never seen in his life. But now, being in the mist sea with important matters at hand, it was probably the least suitable time for unnecessary complications. But before leaving, he still couldn't help asking: "However, meeting in the mist sea is quite fateful. I am Fan Qingzhou. May I ask the celestial maiden's name?"
When he announced his name, a hint of pride appeared on his face.
Because he believed that before long, his name would be known throughout the world.
Hua Caili did not answer, only remaining on guard.
She had experienced similar scenes many times in the mist sea. The person before her was still the most reserved and gentle type.
With regret in his heart, but with "important matters" at hand, Fan Qingzhou did not insist. He smiled slightly and said: "Since that's the case, I won't disturb the celestial maiden's training."
"Let's go."
He greedily glanced at Hua Caili one more time, then reluctantly looked away. Just as he was about to turn around, a sudden exclamation came from behind: "Abyss Crystal!"
Although abyss crystals are hard to find, for a profound practitioner at the Half-step Divine Annihilation Realm, why be so startled? Fan Qingzhou was about to lightly scold, but before his words could leave his mouth, his shifting gaze suddenly froze there, and even his pupils had a moment of violent shock.
Less than twenty zhang to Hua Caili's left, between two broken abyssal beast remains, a gray crystal shimmered with the unique strange light of an abyss crystal.
The strange light of the abyss crystal would have been quite conspicuous in the dim mist sea, but Hua Caili's elegance was so dazzling and captivating that they only noticed it now.
And this gray light reflecting directly into their eyes was a full half-foot in size!
"This is at least... thirty to forty jin, right?" one of the gray-clothed men said, gulping.
Another said: "An abyss crystal this big, its value probably can't be measured by conventional weight."
Fan Qingzhou glanced at Hua Caili and said: "In the end, it belongs to others."
"No, this is the mist sea, so it's ownerless." The man on Fan Qingzhou's right quietly reminded: "Big brother, don't forget your 'mission' this time. Acquiring this abyss crystal would directly complete your 'mission'. For you, there is nothing more important than this."
After a moment of hesitation, Fan Qingzhou stepped forward. Just as he was about to speak... an invisible sword light suddenly cut through the dark sky.
Chi!
The abyss crystal was lifted by the sword light and instantly moved behind Hua Caili, falling into the barrier. With Hua Caili's background, even a hundred jin of abyss crystal wouldn't enter her eyes. But these abyssal beasts were all hunted by Yun Che, and the abyss crystals naturally belonged to Yun Che. Since she had promised to guard by Yun Che's side, she shouldn't let the abyss crystal that belonged to him fall into others' hands.
Fan Qingzhou narrowed his eyes, his smile no longer as gentle and harmless as before: "This celestial maiden, you should be less than a hundred jiazi in age, yet you have such cultivation, and your temperament is outstandingly otherworldly. It seems your background must be extraordinary."
Hua Caili: "..."
"Then you must also know the survival rules of the mist sea."
He paced slowly, approaching unhurriedly, and the slit of his half-closed eyes gradually revealed an increasingly dangerous light: "This abyss crystal fell in the mist sea, so it belongs to those capable. The weak who take it by force will only bring disaster upon themselves."
"A celestial maiden as intelligent as you surely understands this simple principle."
Hua Caili showed no fear and slowly spoke: "A quasi-knight of the Pure Land actually stoops to such despicable behavior?"
Her voice was clear and cold, each word like jade falling into a cold spring, soothing the heart and soul.
But it made Fan Qingzhou's entire body stiffen, and his footsteps instantly halted there.
Hua Caili continued: "To become an Abyss Knight, one must undergo nine trials. One of them is the Mist Sea Trial."
"To become an Abyss Knight, one must uphold a noble soul. If you pass the Mist Sea Trial with such actions and eventually become an Abyss Knight, then the name Fan Qingzhou will surely defile the name of the Abyss Knight!"
More than ninety-nine percent of her life was spent in the Pure Land.
Quasi-knights undergoing trials are marked with special Pure Land imprints, which she could easily recognize.
"..." Fan Qingzhou's expression immediately darkened and uncertain.
He didn't know how the woman before him knew he was a quasi-knight undergoing trials, and he deeply regretted having revealed his name earlier.
The four behind him were also all stunned on the spot, remaining silent for a long time.
"Heh, the celestial maiden worries too much." Fan Qingzhou changed his tone: "My words earlier were to advise the celestial maiden to quickly put away this abyss crystal. After all, in the mist sea, the weak carrying a treasure is the greatest crime."
"As for me, as someone who has sworn to become an Abyss Knight, I have long regarded maintaining the order of the abyss and protecting the myriad spirits of the abyss as my highest will. How could I stoop to robbing the weak by force?"
After finishing his grand speech, he didn't look at the abyss crystal again, directly turned around, and waved his arm: "There's no need for our help here. Let's go."
Several gazes, some greedy, some unwilling, secretly swept over the abyss crystal. But since Fan Qingzhou had spoken, no one dared to say anything, and they all quickly followed him away.
Hua Caili breathed a slight sigh of relief, and the Liyun Sword's light dimmed, returning to calm.
Just then, Yun Che, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke: "You should leave quickly."
Hua Caili turned her eyes in surprise: "Have you completed your breakthrough?"
"Not yet." Yun Che still had his eyes closed, and his voice did not come from his lips: "You'd better leave immediately, or it will be too late."
"Why?" Hua Caili didn't understand. The profound energy around Yun Che was continuously gathering and expanding, clearly in the final stage of breakthrough: "Just now, the most sensible thing for you to do was to give them the abyss crystal, and everything would be fine. What he said was essentially correct. Since this abyss crystal was seen, it can only belong to the strong."
"But you didn't, and you also exposed that he is a quasi-knight of the Pure Land and is undergoing the Mist Sea Trial."
"'Noble soul' is the label of an Abyss Knight. If his behavior just now were to spread, it would certainly become a stain hindering his path to becoming an Abyss Knight. And you also know his name. So the most likely thing for him to do next is to find an opportunity to kill you to silence you!"
Hua Caili parted her lips and said softly: "But... he and I didn't even have a conflict. Is it really that serious?"
"Very serious." Yun Che said: "Your background is certainly noble, so you cannot understand what the four words 'Abyss Knight' mean to a relatively ordinary profound practitioner. It is very likely the highest pursuit of a lifetime of effort, an identity and supreme glory sufficient to honor one's entire clan and descendants. And that Fan Qingzhou is only half a step away from becoming an Abyss Knight. He absolutely cannot allow any accidents... even if it's just a tiny possibility."
When Fan Qingzhou turned around, that deeply hidden killing intent might have been imperceptible to the inexperienced Hua Caili, but Yun Che sensed it clearly.
During this solo training, Hua Caili had already experienced all kinds of human malice. Yet for a moment, she found it hard to accept what Yun Che said.
Because that was not an ordinary profound practitioner, but a quasi-Abyss Knight qualified to undergo trials.
And among the nine trials from quasi-knight to Abyss Knight, the first is a trial of character. To have reached the Mist Sea Trial meant he had passed the trial of character, so he shouldn't... be an utterly evil person.
"Don't worry, that person won't." Hua Caili said in a comforting tone: "Abyss Knights are all particularly righteous people. Even though he is only a quasi-knight, being qualified to participate in the trial shows that he is not a person with a very bad nature."
Hua Caili had extremely high respect for the Abyss Monarch. Everything in the Pure Land gave her a far deeper fondness than others.
Yun Che sneered inwardly... In the end, she was a divine maiden raised with indulgence, her discernment of good and evil shallow to the point of childish naivety.
He slowed his tone and said: "What makes Abyss Knights have 'righteousness' is not their nature, but the identity of 'Abyss Knight'?"
"..." Hua Caili blinked her eyes, looking at this man who was only half a jiazi old but spoke with such maturity, with a rather strange expression.
"The four words 'Abyss Knight' are a kind of honor, but also a kind of restraint. But for profound practitioners who yearn to become Abyss Knights, the former far outweighs the latter. So they are extremely willing to align themselves with the 'noble soul' for this identity and glory."
"But this superficial change absolutely does not mean their nature changes as well." His tone slowly sank: "An Abyss Knight under the public eye is a righteous order-keeper and a dignified arbiter. But in corners where no one watches—like this mist sea that easily covers and devours everything—they have no need to uphold the so-called 'noble soul' and instead fully reveal their true nature!"
"Moreover, he is not yet an Abyss Knight, but at the most critical juncture on the path to becoming one."
"But," Hua Caili argued unconvinced: "I won't do anything to harm him. Would someone really kill to silence someone just for that? And if he really wanted to silence me, why didn't he strike just now?"
"You overestimate the lower limits of human nature." Yun Che said with a sigh, a hint of bleakness in his tone: "He didn't strike just now because there were others beside him. If he did, he would leave a bigger handle for those four. To silence you, he has to come alone."
"In the mist sea, it's easiest to hide and hardest to pursue. So, he will definitely separate from those four in the shortest time and then return... At the latest, within a hundred breaths."
Hua Caili opened her mouth, but before she could speak, a low laugh came from behind:
"Since you know so much, yet still wait here to die? For a moment, I don't know whether to call you smart or stupid."
Hua Caili turned around abruptly and saw a figure that had gone and returned walking leisurely out of the dust and mist.
It was Fan Qingzhou.
His face no longer had the earlier gentleness, and his voice carried a bone-chilling coldness. In his hand, a purple sword coiled with fierce lightning, and a killing intent that was no longer concealed.
The words she was about to argue with all scattered at her lips. What Yun Che had said was vividly presented before her eyes.
In her beautiful eyes were three parts surprise, but seven parts bewilderment.
She didn't understand... Could a powerful profound practitioner who had already reached the Divine Annihilation Realm really want to kill to silence someone just for the mere possibility of a stain?
The other party was also a quasi-Abyss Knight who might soon belong to the Abyss Monarch's command... every one of them as righteous and immaculate as the Pure Land's aura... As someone who grew up in the Pure Land's favor and had deep feelings for the Pure Land, this scene's impact on Hua Caili was far beyond what Yun Che could empathize with.