Chapter 2080: The Fog Emperor Appears Again
Meng Jianxi's body slowly tensed, and he spoke with difficulty: "Mother, you... don't force me."
Meng Xuanjue said coldly: "I am not forcing you, but saving you!"
"When Meng Jianzhou died, I felt four parts heartache but six parts relief. He and Meng Jingzhe are dead, so they will never leave behind any flaws. I originally planned never to let you know. But those two incompetents who ruin everything actually let that Meng Jianyuan return alive!"
In truth, Meng Jianxi had suspected long ago that Meng Jianyuan's death was related to Meng Jianzhou. As Meng Jianzhou's only full-blooded younger brother, he could most deeply perceive Meng Jianzhou's jealousy and hatred toward Meng Jianyuan.
That was also why, after awakening his divine rank postnatally and becoming the Weaving Dream Divine Son, he trampled Meng Jianzhou, who should have been his closest kin, into the mud with near-cruel harshness, also crushing all his courage and ambition.
But he never imagined this matter involved his mother... She was already the Divine Empress of the Divine Kingdom, standing at the pinnacle of women in this era, with no reason to take such enormous risks for something that, once exposed, would inevitably bring severe consequences.
As for Meng Jianzhou... he died without even knowing that his success back then was secretly driven by his birth mother. He always thought it was flawless, known only to him and Meng Jingzhe.
"Back then, I was too confident that my position as Divine Empress was unshakable, yet I was nearly threatened by that wretch! After that, I deeply realized that no opponent can be underestimated, and any threat must be strangled in its infancy!"
Meng Xuanjue suddenly reached out and pulled Meng Jianxi closer, forcing him to look into her eyes: "Now Meng Jianyuan is far more than just an 'infancy'! His threat to you is practically riding on your face! How can you be so indifferent!"
"Son is not indifferent." Meng Jianxi struggled to calm his mind: "But currently, we absolutely should not, and cannot, make a move against Meng Jianyuan."
"When did I ever tell you to make a move against Meng Jianyuan?" Meng Xuanjue said gravely: "Your father god now treasures him like a pearl, and harming him would be digging your own grave. Right now, the most important thing you must do... is to stop him from becoming the Weaving Dream Divine Son, or at least not let him share the title of Divine Son so easily and naturally with you!"
"Instead of being arrogant and indifferent!"
She pulled Meng Jianxi's arm, her fingers slowly tightening, her nails nearly embedding into his flesh: "Remember, in this Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, the Divine Venerable ultimately has the final say! Even if you have ten maternal grandfathers and ten maternal uncles, your voice can never surpass your father god's! Only when you firmly hold the position of Divine Son and become the only Divine Son in your father god's eyes and in the eyes of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, then even if everything is indeed exposed, no matter how angry your father god may be, he will never make it public, nor will it implicate you... because you are the only choice!"
"In the future, when you inherit your father god's true divine power and become the Weaving Dream Divine Venerable... then even if your mother commits ten times more sins, you can cover them with a single word! Even if there are a hundred thousand Meng Jianyuan, they will only be subjects beneath your fingers, understand!"
Meng Jianxi closed his eyes and looked up to the sky, then spoke heavily: "Son understands. Son will certainly follow mother's teachings, and even the smallest threat must be strangled at its very beginning."
"Very good." Meng Xuanjue's hand finally slowly released: "This is how my Jianxi should be. Now, go to your maternal grandfather's side. By now, six of the Nine Dream Halls will follow your will, sharing glory and loss with you. Your attitude will determine the enfeoffment ceremony seven days from now."
Meng Jianxi walked out of the Divine Empress Palace and let out a long breath.
At this moment, Meng Jianze flew over, his expression anxious: "Your Highness! Have you heard the news? Father god actually wants to enfeoff that Meng Jianyuan as the second Weaving Dream Divine Son, and it's just seven days from now!"
"Mm, I know." Meng Jianxi replied somewhat absentmindedly.
Meng Jianze observed his expression, then said resentfully: "What is father god thinking? It's simply... inexplicable!"
"Indeed inexplicable." Meng Jianxi nodded in agreement. He looked ahead and said thoughtfully: "Just now, mother asked me about this matter. To calm her, I said father god's action was out of joy, guilt, and a desire to make amends, which is reasonable. But in truth... I completely cannot understand what father god is doing."
"If father god is doing this out of favor and compensation, it actually harms him instead. After all, Meng Jianyuan has been missing for so many years, with no foundation or support in this divine kingdom, and no one's goodwill. To suddenly push him directly to the position of 'Divine Son'... compared to superficial reverence, there will undoubtedly be more doubt, cold stares, confusion, and unease."
"If I were Meng Jianyuan, I would only feel like I'm being roasted on a gorgeous charcoal fire. Father god is a shrewd man; he cannot be unaware of this."
Meng Jianxi spoke slowly but remained puzzled.
And even if he were ten times more shrewd and had ten more heads, he would never imagine that Yun Che's "backing" was not only Meng Kongchan but also the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom.
Meng Kongchan's action was indeed out of love and compensation, but it also gave Yun Che an identity and sent a message to Hua Fuchen.
"Regardless of the reason, father god's action completely fails to consider Your Highness's feelings." Meng Jianze lowered his voice: "The ceremony seven days from now—does Your Highness have any thoughts?"
Meng Jianxi stopped and slowly uttered two words: "Strangle it!"
Meng Jianze also stopped, looking at him with blazing eyes.
"Although we cannot touch the person... we must make that day seven days from now a day of unforgettable shame for him! We must make the title of 'Divine Son' he receives not only devoid of glory but become a brand of shame looked down upon by everyone."
"Understood." Meng Jianze slowly nodded, a gleam of excitement shining in his eyes.
"I cannot act in this matter; I must even protect him throughout." Meng Jianxi's brows slowly lowered: "You know what to do."
....
Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom.
Hua Qingying descended from the Mystic Ark, only to find Hua Fuchen already standing there, as if waiting for her return, his expression rather subtle.
"Where is Cai Li?" Hua Qingying asked: "Why can't I sense her aura?"
"She has entered the Seven Star Zhe Tian Formation." Hua Fuchen answered truthfully.
"What!?" Hua Qingying's brows sharply furrowed.
"She knew you would definitely stop her, so she entered before your return." Hua Fuchen said indifferently: "Now the Seven Stars are shining, and all seven formations are open. It's too late for you to stop her."
Hua Qingying gave him a cold glare, then turned to leave.
"There is news that is extremely favorable for Cai Li's future."
As expected, as soon as it involved Hua Caili, Hua Qingying immediately stopped.
"Meng Kongchan just sent a message, not about the 'Dreamfall' result, but..." Hua Fuchen paused briefly before speaking slowly: "He discovered that Yun Che's true identity is actually Meng Jianyuan, who disappeared a hundred years ago."
"..." Hua Qingying was visibly startled for a moment before slowly turning her head: "Is this true?"
"This was said by Meng Kongchan himself." Hua Fuchen continued: "Moreover, Yun Che happens to have no memories before the age of ten, and his age is exactly two Jiazi. You told me this earlier. Thinking about it now, it perfectly matches Meng Jianyuan who disappeared back then."
Hua Qingying murmured: "Such a thing actually happened..."
"The world is vast, and wonders never cease. Truly bizarre." Hua Fuchen sighed: "But this makes the matter between Cai Li and Yun Che much simpler. At least we don't have to face it alone as the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom."
"To show me his stance and to give Yun Che an identity as soon as possible, Meng Kongchan has ordered that Yun Che be established as the second Weaving Dream Divine Son, with the enfeoffment ceremony in seven days."
Hua Qingying spun around abruptly: "This move would push Yun Che to the forefront of the storm! That Meng Jianxi's maternal clan has deep roots, and you yourself have commented that he is extremely ambitious and cunning. Even if Yun Che is Meng Jianyuan, he is still a solitary person who has long been cut off from everything upon returning to this kingdom. Forcing Yun Che to become another Weaving Dream Divine Son will provoke reactions from Meng Jianxi and his maternal clan—you know full well what those reactions will be."
Hua Fuchen smiled instead: "For that kid, isn't this also a form of training and testing? Only in such an environment can a person grow the fastest."
"Has the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom widely issued invitations?" Hua Qingying suddenly asked.
Hua Fuchen shook his head: "News must have already spread, but Meng Kongchan has no intention of broadly inviting the other five kingdoms. However, I will have Kai Yang..."
"Enough." Hua Qingying said coldly, leaving no room for argument: "I will go myself."
"Eh...?"
"Can I let the man Cai Li chose be bullied?"
Even in front of the Hua Xin Divine Venerable, Hua Qingying's words were always statements, not negotiations: "Seven days from now, I will personally visit the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. You don't need to worry about this matter anymore."
"That old thing Meng Cangji, it's been a long time since I last met him."
"Qingying, this..." Hua Fuchen raised his hand but could only watch helplessly as Hua Qingying floated away, shaking his head in resignation.
....
Abyss, Mist Sea.
A group of over ten people, all dressed similarly, clearly from the same sect.
They were all injured to varying degrees, with the ground around them littered with the remains of Abyss Beasts that had yet to dissipate into Abyss Dust. They had clearly just gone through a fierce battle.
Half of them were on alert, while the other half gathered around the youngest man. The middle-aged leader placed his hand over the young man's body. After a moment, he shook his head heavily: "The Abyss Dust has already corroded the heart... No hope."
The words "corroded the heart" made everyone's face darken. Because within their understanding, it was equivalent to death.
Abyss Dust could not be controlled, could not be annihilated, and was extremely difficult to dispel. Once it entered the heart, there was absolutely no possibility of survival.
"No, impossible..." The tall man closest to the young man had tears in his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief: "Uncle Master, you must be mistaken. Junior Brother Mu's injuries aren't serious, how could... how could..."
The young man grabbed his arm, forcing a smile on his pale face: "Senior Brother Han, everyone has their fate. Don't dwell on it. It's just a pity... I won't be able to fulfill the promise we made back then."
The tall man lowered his head and gritted his teeth, choking with emotion.
"Senior Brother Han, one last favor... I... don't want to die in the Mist Sea."
"Fine!" The tall man replied hoarsely: "I'll take you out of here now! Even if you must go, you should go intact, not turned to dust in this Mist Sea."
As soon as he finished speaking, startled cries arose around them.
"What... is that?"
Looking up, in the distance, thick fog and dust were rolling. Even the already dim sky seemed to darken several more shades.
Everyone stood frozen until one person murmured absentmindedly: "This scene seems very much like the legendary one..."
Their ears suddenly rang with a deep, oppressive roar like a demon's chant:
"The Fog Emperor patrols the sea; all mortals disperse!"
Each word struck the soul, as if ringing directly in the depths of their hearts, causing them all to change color.
"Fog... Fog Emperor? The legendary one..."
"Wasn't that said to be a forged hoax?"
"Rumor has it that when the Fog Emperor first appeared a few months ago, it summoned the Primordial Qilin God from the depths of the Mist Sea, creating a calamity for thousands of miles and burying countless bodies! Even if someone is pretending... it's still someone we can't afford to provoke."
The middle-aged man immediately shouted: "Go! Quickly!"
A hint of anger suddenly crept into the voice from the gray mist: "Dis... perse!"
Boom!!
The earth trembled, and a storm suddenly surged from the gray mist, violently blasting the panicked crowd away, sending them falling several miles.
Only the young man, who was already doomed to die from the Abyss Dust corroding his heart, was untouched by the storm, left alone in place.
The middle-aged man scrambled to his feet and shouted: "Quick! Don't look back!"
The tall man got up and immediately spotted the young man left behind, getting closer and closer to the rolling gray mist. His pupils contracted, and he cried out: "But Junior Brother Mu..."
"He can't be saved anymore!" The middle-aged man said: "He has no hope left. If we dawdle, we'll all be dragged in."
The tall man gritted his teeth, then suddenly pushed the middle-aged man: "Uncle Master, you all go! Don't worry about me!"
As he shouted, he lunged straight toward the young man's location... also charging into the billowing gray mist.
"Han Xu!" The middle-aged man shouted, but could only grit his teeth and lead the other disciples to flee with all their might.
Bang!
The tall man stumbled and fell hard to the ground. He rolled with the momentum, pouncing in front of the young man, quickly picking him up... But as he stood, he touched the gray mist right before his eyes.
His suddenly widened eyes locked onto a pair of huge, chaotic, twisted gray pupils that flickered in and out of the mist.
"Lowly mortal, how dare you approach the majesty of this Emperor!"
The terrifying divine pressure nearly crushed his soul. The middle-aged man's whole body trembled, but he forced himself to shout: "I am but a lowly mortal, how would I dare offend... Lord Fog Emperor. It's just... my junior brother has been corroded to the heart by Abyss Dust, his life force already gone. I only wished to bring him out of the Mist Sea so he could die with dignity. I have absolutely no intention of offending. I beg Lord Fog Emperor to show mercy and spare us... I, Han Xu, will be grateful for the rest of my life."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
In response came a hearty laugh from the Fog Emperor.
"Loyal and righteous, fearless of death, you deserve this Emperor's blessing!"
Accompanying the Fog Emperor's words, a wisp of gray mist suddenly descended.
The middle-aged man groaned softly but did not dare resist... However, the feeling of Abyss Dust erosion did not come. The gray mist lingered on them for a few breaths, then quickly dispersed.
At the same time, the gray, withered aura that had been particularly strong on the young man also dissipated.
"Ha ha ha ha!" The gray mist rolled away, accompanied by the gradually receding laughter of the Fog Emperor.
"Senior Brother Han." The young man struggled to stand from the tall man's arms. He raised his hands, staring incredulously at his own palms, then spoke as if in a dream: "The Abyss erosion on me... is all... gone..."
"What... what?"
They returned to the middle-aged man's side. When the middle-aged man's profound energy circulated through the young man's body for one cycle, he stood frozen for a long time, his pupils silently dilating, as if he had suddenly entered the most absurd dream of his life.
"Uncle Master?" The tall man tentatively asked: "Could it be... really..."
"Impossible, this is impossible." The middle-aged man shook his head as if possessed: "An Abyss erosion that was supposedly incurable... not only the heart meridian... all... all of it... disappeared..."
The people around looked at each other, as if hearing a demonic sound from beyond the heavens.
A disciple murmured softly: "Wasn't it said that once subjected to Abyss erosion, even the supreme Abyss Emperor above the Pure Land could not cleanse it... How could..."
"Could it be... that he really is... the Emperor of the Mist Sea?"
The young man suddenly turned around and knelt heavily in the direction the "Fog Emperor" had gone, shouting with a tearful voice: "Qingyun Sect disciple Mu Cheng, thanks to Lord Fog Emperor for the grace of rebirth! For the rest of my life, I will honor the Fog Emperor as my faith, and I will never abandon it even in death!"
No one responded, and the others remained silent, their souls feeling as if heaven and earth had turned upside down.
Not long after, the news that the "Fog Emperor" had appeared again and could instantly cleanse Abyss Erosion quickly spread along the edges of the Mist Sea, rapidly radiating toward the deeper habitable lands.
---
Yun Che walked out of the cultivation space and stretched leisurely.
Sensing his aura, a young girl's figure rushed over with a fragrant breeze: "Young Master, you finally came out. In another three hours, it'll be the Divine Son's enfeoffment ceremony. If you hadn't come out..."
"If the Young Master hadn't come out, Sister Zhanyi would have cried." A charming female voice came, and Meng Zhiyuan approached with light steps, holding a set of silver ceremonial robes in her hands: "Young Master, let us first attend to your dressing."
Yun Che reached out: "I'll do it myself."
"That won't do." Meng Zhiyuan dodged away, pouting slightly and saying with some resentment: "You already won't let us serve you in bathing and sleeping. If you won't even let us dress you, we'll have no face left to stay by your side."
"Mm hm!" Liu Zhanyi quickly nodded in agreement.
"Alright, alright." Yun Che replied helplessly, following them back to the sleeping chamber.
When he came out, his body was flowing with silver brilliance, dreamlight shimmering around him. His every step exuded divine aura and nobility, leaving the two young girls staring for a long time, stunned.
"It fits well enough, just a bit too flashy." Yun Che seemed quite satisfied, then lowered his voice: "Shou Yuan."
The old man's figure descended from the sky and knelt in obeisance.
"There's still time. Tell me about the people who will be participating in the enfeoffment ceremony." Yun Che's expression was very casual, as if he was just asking out of simple curiosity, not taking it too seriously.