Chapter 2058: Demigod Cai Zhi
"Did you... think of something else again?"
Yun Che's soul sea was churning with extreme intensity, even carrying a hint of "fear."
Only after a long while did Yun Che calm his mind and speak slowly: "I have a... nearly insane conjecture—so insane it defies logic and common sense."
Yet it lingered in the depths of his heart, impossible to shake.
Li Suo said, "Even so, the fact that it shakes you so means that besides 'insanity,' there must be some basis."
Yun Che steadied his breath and organized his thoughts a little: "Do you remember the phenomenon unique to the Abyss that the Demon Empress extracted from Mo Beichen's memories—the 'Time Black Tide'?"
The Demon Empress's description of the Time Black Tide at that time was now vividly replaying in his mind:
...
"Perhaps because it has broken free from the laws bestowed by the Primordial God, the time wheel of the Abyss does not turn steadily. Sometimes it speeds up, sometimes it slows down, like the ebb and flow of a tide."
"In simple terms, the flow of time in the Abyss periodically cycles between being too fast and too slow."
"And if a world's time wheel itself begins to fall into chaos, it means... the entire order is on the verge of collapse."
"Moreover, the Time Black Tide in the Abyss is growing increasingly severe. At first, it cycled once every few millennia, and the magnitude of the slowdowns and speed-ups were very small. Later, each cycle shortened, and the amplitude of the 'rise and fall' intensified."
"The last cycle of the Time Black Tide was barely a hundred years, and the fluctuation amplitude reached a terrifying tenfold."
...
"I remember," Li Suo said. "I also recall that the current Abyss world is in the rising period of the Time Black Tide, with time flowing at ten times that of the God Realm. The fifty years left for you are only five years in the God Realm."
"Then, is it possible..." Yun Che lowered his voice. "That the existence of the Time Black Tide is not, as the Demon Empress speculated, due to breaking free from the Primordial Law, but rather—someone used some method to damage... no, perhaps even absorb the time power of the time wheel, thereby causing the gradual collapse of the Abyss's time laws?"
If there truly was someone in the Abyss with such ability, the most likely candidate would be the strongest, Abyss Emperor, and the most likely instrument would be the lost "Demon Bead" of the ancient Demon Clan.
And the "Cradle"—as Li Suo said—was a concept of time that should not exist. If it truly appeared, it must have been paid for with an extremely forbidden price.
Gradually destroying the time laws of a world... what a price, what a taboo.
"You're saying that the Abyss Emperor used that possibly existing 'Demon Bead' to create the 'Cradle' at the cost of collapsing the time laws of this world?"
Li Suo thought briefly, but quickly said, "This notion is highly unreasonable. The Abyss world was created by the Abyss Emperor, and from ancient times to now, he has been the sole emperor of the Abyss. He should be the one who most desires the Abyss's stability."
"There is no possibility, and even less reason, for him to pay the price of world destruction just to save a divine daughter of a divine kingdom."
"No, no," Yun Che said. "Since the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable knew that only the 'Cradle' could save Hua Caili, it means that the 'Cradle' had existed for a long time... perhaps even always existed."
"Saving Hua Caili was just a convenient act."
"Even a Creation God like you says that the existence of 'time stasis' is a heaven-defying taboo. If it has always existed, it might have been continuously destroying the time wheel of the Abyss."
Li Suo could not agree: "If your speculation is true, then what could the Abyss Emperor possibly be seeking by paying such an absurd price just to create a time-stopping 'Cradle'?"
"... " Yun Che exhaled heavily. "Good question."
Li Suo said, "Since you have no leads and even admit it's 'insane,' why did you still conceive this idea and tremble at it?"
"Because just now... I also thought of another thing." Yun Che's tone was slow, gradually clarifying a memory from months ago: "In the Lin Divine Realm, the words the Lin God said before he vanished..."
...
"Your arrival is a gift from heaven. Because now, I can finally repay the great kindness of the Elemental Creation God... and pass on in peace."
"As for saving the Abyss... the Abyss's collapse is irreversible. You cannot save the Abyss. No one can save the Abyss."
"Just remember this: The Abyss is destined to collapse. His obsession is the most terrifying thing in this world. No one can reverse it. I have lingered on until now, merely waiting in unwillingness and helplessness for that day to come."
...
"His obsession is the most terrifying thing in this world... No one can reverse it..."
Yun Che repeated this sentence over and over... because this evaluation of the Abyss Emperor by the Lin God was completely different from all other rumors he knew about the Abyss Emperor.
Everywhere, people of the Abyss spoke of the Abyss Emperor with boundless reverence. Especially Hua Caili, who, whenever she mentioned "Uncle Abyss Emperor," would immediately show pure respect mixed with considerable familiarity.
And the Lin God had been exiled by the Abyss Emperor to the Lin Divine Realm, with Abyss Knights sent regularly to monitor him. Could this not be a clash of ideals, but rather... knowledge of some forbidden secret of the Abyss Emperor?
For instance... the essence and cost of the "Cradle"?
Just as Li Suo had said, Yun Che also felt that his own speculation was indeed absurd.
But—the Demon Bead, the Cradle, the Time Black Tide, the Lin God's words—all connected in an instant, imprinted themselves on his heart. He repeatedly rejected it with reason, yet it still would not leave.
It seemed some force, or some hint, was guiding him to believe this terrifying guess that had suddenly surfaced.
He pondered... if this guess were close to the truth, then if I were in his place, under what reason would I be willing to create a "Cradle" that could stop time, even at the cost of the entire world's collapse...
After a long time, not knowing if he had found an answer, he forcibly dispelled all these thoughts: "Forget it. This is not something I should be distracted by now, only adding to my troubles."
"Besides, if this Time Black Tide thing can erupt completely as soon as possible, causing the Abyss's time wheel to completely collapse within these fifty years... that would save me trouble."
Li Suo: "... Then you would also vanish forever with the collapsing Abyss."
"Vanishing is fine." Yun Che gave an inexplicable smile. "Just in time to wash away my sins."
"... " Li Suo sensed that this was not a casual joke.
"You are bound to be disappointed," Li Suo said slowly. "After all, this is a great world created by the Primordial God himself. Even if its basic time laws are gradually breaking down, it will not collapse so easily. Moreover, before collapse, various Heavenly Catastrophes will first appear. Clearly, the Abyss has not yet reached that point."
"However, judging by the current intensity of the time wheel's fluctuations (the Time Black Tide), the arrival of the catastrophe is extremely close. Perhaps ten thousand years, perhaps a thousand... even if it descends today, it would not be surprising."
Thus, the Abyss Emperor had recently been so eager to open the Abyss passage to the God Realm.
Yun Che frowned sharply and asked, "If the Heavenly Catastrophe triggered by the Time Black Tide descends, how long will it take for the Abyss to completely collapse?"
Li Suo pondered for a long while, then whispered, "Within a hundred years."
"... That fast?!" Yun Che was deeply shaken.
The "World of Destruction" and the "World of Life" were created simultaneously, their existence stretching back so far that its origin could not be traced. The arrival of the Abyss Emperor turned the "World of Destruction" into the Abyss world, which had now existed for millions of years.
It was not a small planet or star realm. Such a vast world, once it began to collapse, would completely crumble in just a hundred years.
And Li Suo's next words tightened his soul strings.
"What worries me more is that if this world collapses, the dimensional storms and order breakdown it triggers... might affect another world."
A small world with billions of lives—in a vast world, it was no more than a speck of dust—but the dimensional storm produced when it collapsed was already terrifying.
And if a vast world collapsed...
"Perhaps I am just worrying needlessly."
The origin of the Time Black Tide—Yun Che only had that "insane" guess.
But its existence was a long-standing reality.
If catastrophe and collapse were destined to come, could the world he came from truly remain unaffected?
...
"Brother Yun, Brother Yun?"
Hua Caili's fair fingers waved before his eyes. Yun Che's focus quickly returned, and he reached out to grasp her hand, feeling a handful of warm, creamy jade.
"You seemed to be in a daze." Hua Caili tilted her face, deliberately not lowering her voice: "You weren't really scared by Auntie, were you?"
She would never have imagined that her casual mention of the "Cradle" while recounting her past had stirred up a storm in Yun Che's soul sea.
"How could that be?" Yun Che quickly pretended to be panicked and defended himself: "The name of the Sword Immortal Senior was like thunder in my ears since I first entered this world. To have the fortune of meeting her is a blessing of three lifetimes. If Sword Immortal Senior had not saved me that day, I would have already died under the claws of that Abyss beast. Thus, towards Sword Immortal Senior, I only have gratitude and respect."
Hua Caili finally could not help it and let out a "pfft."
She pursed her lips and said with a smile, "Stop praising her, stop praising her. Auntie has a particularly cold temperament. Even if you flatter her for three hours, she won't pay you any attention."
"I mean every word from the bottom of my heart," Yun Che said with a serious face.
"Yes, yes, yes." Hua Caili rubbed her cheek against Yun Che, showing her infatuation to her aunt: "Let me tell you a secret—Auntie is not at all like what the outside world says."
"Oh?" Yun Che seemed somewhat reluctant to respond.
Hua Caili lowered her voice: "Many people call Auntie the Heartless Sword Immortal, and she herself says she cultivates the path of ruthlessness in swordsmanship. But I know better than anyone that Auntie is actually the gentlest and most affectionate person. Her reputation for heartlessness comes from her early years, when she was only obsessed with the sword and indifferent to everything else. So to outsiders, she seemed so emotionless and desireless."
"But I have always known how good she is to me. She is my aunt, and also my master. During the nineteen years of my life when I left the 'Cradle' of the Pure Land, she was always by my side, never leaving."
"Your aunt treats you extremely well," Yun Che sighed in agreement, but his scalp tingled slightly.
If Hua Caili's earlier life had always had Hua Qingying accompanying her, openly or covertly, then in the future, wouldn't she also...
If he always had such a terrifying woman watching him, the pressure in acting would more than double.
"I also know that Auntie always thinks that if she had not been so obsessed with the sword back then, but had instead actively taken over the inheritance of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom, my mother would not have had an accident. So over the years, she has taken the blame upon herself."
"But Auntie is not wrong at all. Father God also said that the former Divine Venerable was more willing to have him inherit the divine source. Even if Auntie had volunteered, she might not have been successful. But it has been over ten thousand years, and Auntie still... Besides me, she has never been willing to disperse any affection to others, so in the eyes of the world, she has become even more 'heartless.'"
"I really hope Auntie can stop taking the blame upon herself and instead break free from this self-imposed shackle, pursuing what she likes—whether it be the sword or a person."
"... " Hua Qingying knew that this speech from Hua Caili was meant for her.
But... others might forgive her, but she could not forgive herself.
"So, Auntie... er, Sword Immortal Senior is actually heartless because she is too affectionate," Yun Che said with a deep sigh. Then his brow furrowed slightly, and he asked doubtfully, "You just said 'former Divine Venerable'... Could it be that he is not your grandfather or great-uncle?"
Hua Caili's expression was slightly complicated: "Biologically, the former Divine Venerable is indeed the biological father of my father god and auntie, my own grandfather. But neither my father god nor auntie allows me to call him 'grandfather.' Instead, like them, I address him as 'former Divine Venerable.'"
Yun Che showed surprise, but had already roughly guessed.
Hua Caili's death crisis at birth... was probably...
If that were so, it was indeed terrifying to think about.
"It seems that something special must have happened back then," Yun Che said. "Your father god and auntie not telling you is naturally for your sake. When you grow up, they will surely tell you everything."
Hua Caili, however, was completely unconcerned, rubbing herself all over Yun Che: "It's no longer important. Ever since I've been with Brother Yun, I feel happy and content every moment. Whatever happened before, it doesn't matter at all."
"Father God always taught me that the love between a man and a woman should be as gentle and bland as water, and that maintaining a respectful distance with the Senluo Divine Son was the best way. Father God was indeed deceiving me."
Your father god isn't deceiving you—he just wants your life to be safe and peaceful... Yun Che said this in his heart, then hugged the girl in his arms and straightened up slightly: "Don't talk for now. Your internal injury just stirred. Let me heal you a bit earlier today."
"Alright." She responded obediently, but still clung to Yun Che, unwilling to get off: "Brother Yun, my internal injury flared up just now, and I have almost no strength right now. Can you heal me like this?"
Yun Che smiled helplessly, placing his hands on her slender waist: "Alright, alright, I knew it would be like this."
"Hehe, Brother Yun is the best to me." The girl closed her beautiful eyes, lying on Yun Che's chest with a pure, flawless smile, like a beautiful immortal who had fallen to the mortal world and never wanted to return.
"... " Hua Qingying frowned deeply.
Hua Caili possessed unparalleled talent in the Dao of Xuan and the Way of the Sword. If she sank deeply into romantic love, it would inevitably cause immeasurable harm to her cultivation and future.
Regardless, she had to give a warning.
Yun Che raised his hand, light profound force shining between his fingers, and gently covered Hua Caili's body.
At that moment, Hua Qingying also transmitted: "Cai Zhi, do you know that you are now..."
But as soon as she spoke, her jade-like countenance changed slightly, and an unbelievable divine light flashed in her eyes.
Yun Che's movements also abruptly halted.
Around Hua Caili, one after another, profound energy vortexes suddenly appeared, her long hair dancing without wind.
In the blink of an eye, these profound energy vortexes had multiplied several times, and every instant, they were increasing wildly.
Hua Caili opened her eyes, straightened up, and raised her hand to sense the violently trembling profound veins and the gradually losing control of her profound energy. She murmured in surprise: "Eh? Could I be about to..."
"Step back!"
A not-so-gentle profound energy swept toward Yun Che, instantly pushing him several miles away.
Hua Qingying's figure descended like a celestial being. Her fingers lightly swept, and a massive sword formation barrier formed around them. Another stream of profound energy carefully tempered Hua Caili's increasingly violent and imbalanced aura:
"Cai Zhi, withdraw all perceptions, concentrate your mind fully. You are about to undergo a major realm breakthrough!"
"With me by your side, focus without distraction!"
Her cold voice quickly brought Hua Caili's soul back to utmost clarity. She quickly gathered her mind, cast away external thoughts, and began to perceive and guide the transformation of her own aura.
Hua Qingying's heart was far from as calm as her expression and voice.
She still could not believe it.
For this trial, her highest expectation for Hua Caili was that she could find a breakthrough opportunity—even a tiny insight would be a huge gain.
A common knowledge in the Abyss: The hardest threshold to cross in the Dao of Xuan was the chasm between the Half-step Divine Destruction Realm and the Divine Destruction Realm.
The special concept of "Half-step Divine Destruction Realm" existed precisely to comfort the countless cultivators who could never cross that chasm in their lifetime—giving them the consolation of having half a foot in the Divine Destruction Realm... but in reality, the difference was like heaven and earth.
She had never dreamed that Hua Caili would directly achieve a major realm breakthrough.
And once she completed this breakthrough, she would step into the Demigod Realm!
A nineteen-year-old demigod...
Even tracing back to the earliest era of the Abyss, such a thing had never happened.