Chapter 2082: The Enfeoffment Ceremony (Part 2)
Meng Kongchan's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly: "Xuanji, what do you have to say?"
Meng Xuanji stepped forward, undaunted by Meng Kongchan's presence, and declared in a resounding voice: "For the Divine Kingdom, inheritance is the foremost priority. And the enfeoffment of a Divine Son is the most significant among these great matters, directly concerning the future fate of the Divine Kingdom. It absolutely cannot be taken lightly!"
"Among the Six Kingdoms and Seven Gods, each true god's inheritance has always designated only one Divine Son or Divine Maiden! If multiple Divine Sons were established simultaneously, it would not be a matter of more choices, but would only result in severe dispersal of resources and attention, and more easily cause mutual hostility, open strife and covert struggle among the Divine Sons—countless harms with no benefit!"
As soon as Meng Xuanji finished speaking, a voice followed closely: "Correct! The words of the Seventh Dream Master are also my words."
The person who stood up was none other than another Dream Hall Master!
The Master of the Sixth Dream Hall—Meng Jinghai.
He stated solemnly: "What Hall Master Xuanji said is absolutely true. The Divine Son bears the future of the Divine Kingdom. He should be the focal point of the highest-level resources and unity of the entire Divine Kingdom. If another Divine Son were established, the dispersal of resources would be a minor matter; the dispersal of hearts and minds would be a difficult-to-cure major ailment. Therefore, I implore Your Excellency to carefully reconsider the matter of establishing another Divine Son."
"Well said." Before Meng Kongchan could respond, another deep voice followed closely.
The Master of the First Dream Hall—Meng Kongdu.
He was also the elder brother of Dreamless Divine Venerable Meng Kongchan, over twenty thousand years older.
He slowly rose, his metallic voice carrying an ocean-like profundity: "Your Excellency, looking at the history of the divine kingdoms, new Divine Sons were occasionally established either because the original Divine Son had an excessively poor character and committed grave errors, or because a child with a superior divine rank had appeared."
"Although Jianxi has been the Weaving Dream Divine Son for only a short hundred years, his aptitude, conduct, temperament, and ability to handle affairs are not lacking in any way—rather, they are excellent in every aspect, giving all of us immense relief and a deep sense that Weaving Dream's future is secure."
"Everyone in Weaving Dream, from top to bottom, even the affiliated territories, all sing praises for Divine Son Jianxi without exception."
"If another Divine Son were suddenly established, it would not only chill Jianxi's heart, but also... be difficult for us to accept."
Meng Kongdu suddenly knelt down heavily, his grave voice carrying a sorrowful tone of concern for the kingdom: "For the future of Weaving Dream, Kongdu dares to implore... Your Excellency to carefully reconsider."
The grand ceremonial square instantly became so silent that a dropped needle could be heard.
Meng Kongdu's peripheral vision glanced at Yun Che, only to find his eyes half-lidded, completely unmoved.
Amidst everyone's varied gazes, Meng Kongchan slowly nodded: "Hmm, although the three Hall Masters spoke a bit late, your words have reason."
The Dreamless Divine Venerable's response left Meng Xuanji, Meng Jinghai, and Meng Kongdu all stunned. Meng Kongchan swept his gaze across the three, his expression unreadable: "The meaning of the three Hall Masters is that our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom does not need to enfeoff a second Weaving Dream Divine Son, otherwise it would only bring harm and no benefit?"
"Yes!" The three Hall Masters answered in unison.
Meng Kongchan slightly nodded, then surveyed the entire assembly and said calmly: "Of the Nine Dream Halls, does anyone else share this sentiment?"
He only asked about the Nine Dream Halls, which made some who had been hesitant and uneasy breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Not long after Meng Kongchan's words fell, the masters of the Third, Fourth, and Eighth Dream Halls simultaneously rose and said in unison: "We also believe that the matter of establishing a new Divine Son is highly inappropriate."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Out of the nine Dream Hall Masters, six opposed the new enfeoffment of a Divine Son today.
Such a scene of the collective pressure on the Divine Venerable in front of everyone had never occurred in the over ten thousand years since Meng Kongchan had been in power.
The other three Dream Masters did not express their stance. Even with group coordination, they were unwilling to publicly provoke the Dreamless Divine Venerable. However, they had to admit that the words of these six Dream Masters were not wrong—saying they were acting for Weaving Dream's future was not an exaggeration. This was also the fundamental reason for their strong confidence and "boldness."
Meng Jianxi immediately stood up, a hint of urgency on his face: "The words of all the Dream Masters are for the future of Weaving Dream. Jianxi deeply admires and appreciates them. I am a thousand times grateful for the Dream Masters' affirmation of me, and ten thousand times humbled. But my Father God's divine majesty soars to the heavens, and his far-reaching foresight is beyond what others can match. Although Father God's decision this time is somewhat unexpected, it must be profound in meaning."
"Moreover..." Meng Jianxi's gaze turned to Yun Che, his look pure and sincere: "Although Jianxi and Brother Yuan have been separated for a hundred years, we are still of the same bloodline. The bond of reunion is even stronger than before. If Brother Yuan and I both become Divine Sons, we will surely support each other. Perhaps the worries you all have may not occur."
"Jianxi." An aged voice rang out: "Your nature is kind and pure. You have fought your entire life for the title of 'Divine Son'. We all have seen it. But the person you can trust, and the one you most should trust, is only yourself. You should not easily entrust such kindness and trust to others."
When this voice sounded, the entire vast space fell instantly silent.
The speaker was an old man with white hair and beard. Unlike the other Dream Hall Masters who wore silver robes, he was dressed in white, with a duster wrapped around his waist. His aged eyes held no visible authority but seemed to captivate the soul—an immortal aura that was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
His seat was even placed ahead of the Nine Dream Halls.
The Chief Hall Master of the Nine Dream Halls of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, father of Divine Empress Meng Xuanjue, father-in-law of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, and the number one figure under the Divine Venerable of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom... Meng Cangji.
Six Dream Masters had already come forth, an overwhelming expression of opinion. Now, adding the Chief Hall Master... Although the Divine Venerable's say in the Divine Kingdom overrides everything, even if all Dream Masters opposed, a single word from the Divine Venerable would be enough to override everything. But faced with such a situation, facing almost all the core forces of a Divine Kingdom, even the Divine Venerable had to think carefully.
"This..." Meng Jianxi seemed hesitant to respond easily to his maternal grandfather's words, his posture becoming even more respectful.
"... " The corner of Yun Che's mouth twitched slightly.
Meng Kongchan still spoke in a calm tone: "So, the Chief Hall Master also finds establishing a second Weaving Dream Divine Son quite inappropriate?"
"Yes." Meng Cangji replied without hesitation. With his extremely high status in the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, he had such confidence.
"Hmm." Meng Kongchan nodded, his tone gentle, without any anger from being pressured publicly: "The Nine Dream Halls gather the most central strength and the best juniors of our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. Their intent and will all relate to the foundation and future of Weaving Dream."
"Now, since the Chief Hall Master and six Hall Masters all feel this way, it shows that the matter of establishing a second Weaving Dream Divine Son is indeed extremely inappropriate."
Meng Kongchan's words stunned everyone. Even Meng Cangji, Meng Xuanji, and the others were surprised.
They had thought that the Dreamless Divine Venerable, with such great importance and urgency for this enfeoffment ceremony, would definitely ignore or even refute their words, and they had prepared a series of follow-up arguments. But they never expected that the Dreamless Divine Venerable would so directly agree with their words.
"In that case, I will follow your wishes and annul Jianxi's title as Divine Son." His gaze swept over the suddenly stiffened crowd: "Are you satisfied with that?"
"What?" Meng Xuanji exclaimed in shock.
"F-Father God?" Meng Jianxi suddenly looked up, utterly bewildered.
Meng Xuanjue, beside Meng Kongchan, changed her expression dramatically: "Divine Venerable, what... what are you saying?"
Meng Cangji quickly said: "Your Excellency, when did we ever mean that? We were..."
"Mm?" Meng Kongchan's gaze swept across, and the terrifying soul might in that instant suppressed the words about to leave Meng Cangji's mouth: "I ask you, who was the first Divine Son of this generation in our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom?"
Meng Cangji said: "Naturally... it was Meng Jianyuan."
"Very good." Meng Kongchan continued: "Then has Yuan'er's title as Divine Son ever been annulled?"
"..." Meng Cangji suddenly fell silent.
Meng Xuanji, Meng Jinghai, Meng Kongdu, and the others all stiffened... Back then, everyone believed Meng Jianyuan was dead beyond doubt. Who would bother with an annulment ceremony? Not even a verbal annulment had occurred.
"Since it was never annulled, Yuan'er has always been the first Divine Son of our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. And Jianxi was the second."
Meng Kongchan's voice was slow and deliberate, showing neither joy nor anger: "Since you all say that establishing a second Weaving Dream Divine Son is extremely inappropriate, with countless harms and no benefits, I will follow your wishes and annul the second Weaving Dream Divine Son."
"Since I am so accommodating to your wishes... Hmm? Could it be that you are still dissatisfied?"
"Your Excellency!" Meng Xuanji cried out loudly: "My words were never about that! Jianxi's achievements and accomplishments in these years are known to all, and everyone praises him. How can he be annulled! Our words referred to..."
"Rubbish!"
The Dreamless Divine Venerable, who had been calm all along, suddenly erupted in fury. Those two words exploded like thunder from the heavens in everyone's souls: "Earlier, you kept insisting that I should not establish a second Divine Son. Now, in barely a moment, you are going back on your word! Meng Xuanji, are you deliberately playing games with me before everyone's eyes!"
The wrath of the Divine Venerable was terrifying. Countless souls shrank and trembled for a long time.
It had been countless years since Meng Xuanji had been called by his full name by the Dreamless Divine Venerable, let alone with such fury. His face was pale, his knees almost uncontrollably buckling, and even his voice carried obvious trembling: "Your... Your Excellency, I would never... have such audacity, nor do I mean that. I..."
"Then what do you mean!" Meng Kongchan's voice grew harsher.
Meng Xuanji's lips quivered, and for a moment, he couldn't speak.
"Divine Venerable." Meng Xuanjue quickly stepped forward, grabbing Meng Kongchan's arm: "Brother's meaning should be clear to you, why must..."
"Shut up." A surge of profound energy shook off Meng Xuanjue's hand. Meng Kongchan looked forward and said in a low voice: "This is not your place to speak."
Meng Xuanjue could only step back, not daring to say another word.
Meng Jinghai stepped forward, speaking with utmost sincerity: "Your Excellency's soul might is unparalleled, and your foresight is profound. Surely you must understand the concerns we raised today..."
Meng Kongchan directly interrupted him: "Since I have such unparalleled soul might and profound foresight, why are you all chattering incessantly today? Do you think you are wiser than me, the Weaving Dream Divine Venerable!?"
These words made Meng Jinghai's upper body tremble: "How would I dare..."
"Then shut up!"
"Your Excellency!" Meng Cangji's words followed immediately. His gaze was firm, his voice steady: "What we want is not to annul Divine Son Jianxi, but to annul today's enfeoffment ceremony!"
He no longer dared to beat around the bush and spoke directly. Fearing that the Dreamless Divine Venerable might refute him, he quickly added: "Although Meng Jianyuan's identity as Divine Son was never annulled, everyone in the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, and even the entire Abyss, believes that Meng Jianyuan met his demise a hundred years ago. When people speak of the Weaving Dream Divine Son now, in everyone's perception, it is Jianxi."
"Jianxi's talent is outstanding, his nature is kind yet not without sharpness. In just a hundred years, he has become an extremely qualified Divine Son, and is the one the hearts of Weaving Dream are set on. As for Meng Jianyuan..."
He shifted his gaze slightly and continued: "Meng Jianyuan's safe return fills me and all the Dream Masters with immense joy and gratitude for the divine miracle. However, he has been away for a hundred years and has long disappeared from the cognition of Weaving Dream's people. Moreover, he has lost even those very brief memories of being the Weaving Dream Divine Son, so naturally he has no sense of belonging to the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, nor any attendant sense of responsibility or glory."
"Furthermore, according to reports, Meng Jianyuan spent these hundred years without a sect or school, wandering everywhere. What he has done in these years, how his nature may have been twisted... we know nothing. To suddenly return and become another Weaving Dream Divine Son will inevitably lead to countless doubts from within and outside the Divine Kingdom, and even cause unrest among the people."
"Moreover, setting everything else aside, Meng Jianyuan's aptitude..."
"Mmph... Ha..."
Just as Meng Cangji's words were ringing with force and passion... a yawn suddenly sounded.
In such a solemn and silent scene, this yawn was incredibly abrupt and conspicuous, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Even Meng Cangji's gaze sharply turned, and the words that followed died in his throat.
Yun Che slowly put down his five fingers covering his mouth, looked at everyone staring at him with wide eyes in surprise, then quickly apologized: "Oh, a bit drowsy, how rude of me. Chief Hall Master, please continue."
The entire hall was dumbfounded... The Divine Venerable was furious, the Hall Masters were jointly remonstrating, and the atmosphere was so tense that people didn't dare to breathe. And this person, who was obviously being targeted and at the center of the storm, was actually... nodding off!?
"..." The corner of Meng Kongchan's eye twitched slightly.
This brat...
"You..." The muscles on Meng Cangji's face twitched slightly.
As the number one figure under the Divine Venerable of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, he had never been treated so casually by a junior. This was even more unbearable than outright disdain. He stared at Yun Che, his finger raised, momentarily at a loss for how to continue his words.
"Oh?" As if noticing Meng Cangji's gaze, Yun Che leisurely stepped forward and said with a look of concern: "It seems that the Chief Hall Master's emotions are too intense today, and your words are too fierce, causing some damage to your throat, making it hard to speak. Then let this junior finish for you."
"Ahem!" Without waiting for Meng Cangji to respond, he cleared his throat, paced forward, and adopted Meng Cangji's tone as he said: "Speaking of aptitude... Meng Jianyuan has not been in the Divine Kingdom for these hundred years. He has not had the support of the Divine Kingdom's resources, has not practiced the profound arts of the Weaving Dream lineage, and has not received the foundation laid by various Weaving Dream seniors at different stages."
"Although his talent is good, relying on himself, he has cultivated to the Divine Lord realm. But a Divine Lord realm cultivation—compared to Meng Jianxi, it's like heaven and earth apart. How can they both be Divine Sons!"
"Moreover, if our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom takes a mere third-rank Divine Lord as a Divine Son, wouldn't it invite ridicule from other Divine Kingdoms? Even the people of Weaving Dream would feel ashamed of it."
Yun Che spoke words that belittled himself, yet each word was clearer and more forceful than Meng Cangji's. The listeners were dumbfounded.
Yun Che continued pacing and speaking loudly: "Furthermore, even at the same Divine Lord realm, what one cultivates on one's own cannot be compared to that of a Divine Lord of the same realm from the Divine Kingdom. Not to mention Meng Jianxi, among all the Divine Venerable's descendants, any one with the same cultivation level can easily and completely defeat Meng Jianyuan... no, not to mention within the Divine Kingdom, even a Divine Lord of the same realm from an affiliated territory can easily defeat him."
"Thus, if the Divine Venerable, out of a momentary feeling of joy, guilt, or compensation, forcibly establishes Meng Jianyuan as Divine Son, countless people within and outside the Divine Kingdom will question and resent it, and countless more will secretly sneer, 'The Weaving Dream Divine Son is no more than this'... The national prestige and dignity of our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom will surely suffer severe damage!"
The last "ah" was drawn out, with a hint of sadness, and then abruptly stopped as Yun Che turned his head. He looked at Meng Cangji with a warm smile and said very politely: "Chief Hall Master, this junior has finished saying what you wanted to say. Do you have anything to add?"
"..." Meng Cangji's eyes were wide, his expression as if he had seen a ghost.
He had lived for tens of thousands of years and seen all kinds of scenes... but this kind of scene was truly unprecedented.
Facing Yun Che... a mere third-rank Divine Lord's smiling gaze, he, a peerless powerhouse at the ninth level of the Divine Extreme Realm, was unable to utter a single word for a long time, as if something had suddenly stuck in his throat.
Because what Yun Che had said was exactly what he had been brewing in his mind for days—even the tone, inflection, and word choice were remarkably fitting.
Hua Qingying's lips briefly curved into an extremely faint line... but it was too subtle to be caught by anyone.
Seeing that Meng Cangji remained silent for a long time, Yun Che immediately nodded knowingly and continued to show that gentle, harmless smile: "Since the Chief Hall Master has nothing to add, then let's quickly move on to the next step."
"The profound practitioners of the same realm you arranged to humiliate—oh, no, no—to spar with me should now take the stage."