Chapter 2099: Pure Land Sanctions
The Dreamless Divine Venerable, who had just been instructing Yun Che not to "be too hard on himself," was now smiling so broadly that his features were practically bursting apart. The intense, overflowing joy he felt was clearly perceived by everyone in the Divine Son Hall.
Clearly, he actually cared quite a bit about Meng Jian Yuan's growth.
Yun Che stepped forward and asked, "Divine Venerable, is there some important matter for which you have come here today?"
Meng Kongchan stopped his loud laughter but remained all smiles. "It's not really an important matter. Your future father-in-law and I are planning to go together to Sen Luo for a gathering. Would you like to accompany your father? It's been a year since you returned, and I haven't yet taken you to tour the various divine kingdoms."
Yun Che thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I have a notorious reputation but shallow cultivation. It's not suitable for me to appear frequently before others. In just two more years, I will follow the Divine Venerable to set foot on the legendary Pure Land. Although I am not a Divine Son, in the rumors of the world, I am already seen as the Dreamweaving Divine Son who will inevitably replace Xi Divine Son in the future. Therefore, I must focus all my efforts on improving my cultivation. I absolutely cannot bring shame to the Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom because of me."
"These two short years before setting foot on the Pure Land must not be wasted for even a moment."
Yun Che's words and earnest expression stirred something deep in Meng Kongchan's eyes. He nodded slightly, his heart filled with boundless relief. Because Yun Che's speech indicated that he was gradually identifying himself with the Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom, regarding its glory as his own glory.
"You possess a Perfect Divine Rank. No matter how low your cultivation, no one would dare to look down on you. Moreover, you are still young. Even for a Divine Son, such a level of cultivation would not be called 'lowly.'"
When his voice fell, Yun Che's eyes showed no sign of wavering. So Meng Kongchan stopped trying to persuade him and instead said, "In that case, let's forget about going to the Senluo Divine Kingdom. When you surpass Dian Jiuzhi in the future, you can go alone as a guest and ascend their gates with pride. Speaking of which, how is your progress with the 'Dreamweaving Scripture'?"
When the "Dreamweaving Scripture" was mentioned, Yun Che's expression visibly darkened. He sighed softly, cupped his hands, and pushed a scroll wrapped in dense silver light toward Meng Kongchan. "Please, Divine Venerable, take back this Dreamweaving Scripture for now."
Meng Kongchan did not move, frowning slightly. "Why?"
Yun Che spoke with a look of shame. "In this past year, aside from my training, I have never slacked off in practicing the Dreamweaving Scripture. However, the cultivation of soul arts requires utmost concentration and focus of the soul. But whenever I practice, my mind struggles to settle, and my progress is extremely slow. In a whole year, I have only barely managed to reach the first realm, 'Gorgeous Dream Youth.'"
As he finished, a faint silver light flickered in his pupils and vanished.
He continued, "I think it's because I still cannot recall that I am Meng Jian Yuan. Thus my soul is incomplete, making progress difficult."
But Meng Kongchan laughed. "The Dreamweaving Scripture can only be cultivated by the unique soul of our Meng clan. The fact that you have reached the first realm is proof enough that you are Meng Jian Yuan. Clinging to this thought may help fill the gap in your soul's self-perception."
Yun Che shook his head again. "What my master taught me, I have yet to grasp even a tenth of it. It is indeed not the right time to be distracted by other things. Please, Divine Venerable, take back the scripture. In the future, when my self-perception is complete, I will surely ask for it again."
"Since you insist, so be it." Meng Kongchan said no more and retrieved the Dreamweaving Scripture. "I hope that one day, I can hear you tell the story of your master."
"Mm, that day will surely come." Yun Che smiled, then naturally changed the subject. "The highest realm recorded in the Dreamweaving Scripture is called 'Strange Dream Epiphyllum.' May I ask how many people in the Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom have achieved this realm?"
"Only me," Meng Kongchan said with a smile.
Yun Che: "..."
"Although 'Strange Dream Epiphyllum' is also a form of dreamfall power, when it is used, it exerts no soul pressure and does not harm the soul. In other words, it is completely non-aggressive."
Meng Kongchan raised his eyes slightly, his calm gaze seemingly containing vastness as broad as heaven and earth. "But it is the highest realm of dream power in our Meng bloodline. When used, it can easily erase the soul defenses of the opponent. Once the opponent falls into 'Strange Dream Epiphyllum,' using other soul powers afterward can succeed with ease."
"And because it has no aggression, even if it fails, there will be absolutely no soul backlash."
"Oh... dreamfall power can be so miraculous." Yun Che seemed somewhat stunned, then nodded with a hint of longing.
Meng Kongchan chuckled. "Yuan'er, I believe that with your talent and comprehension, you will one day reach your father's level. Until then, just do as you wish. If one day you suddenly want to focus fully on cultivating the Dreamweaving Scripture, your father can personally teach you."
"Good!" Yun Che replied firmly, then asked, "Since Heart-Painting Divine Venerable invited you to go together to the Senluo Divine Kingdom, did he mention Cai Li..."
"Hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan burst into laughter again, his eyes turning ambiguous. "I knew you would ask. But unfortunately, she is still within the Seven-Star Heaven-Breaking Formation. That girl is even more relentless than you. When she breaks out of the formation, I will let you know. However, your future father-in-law has long lost the fearless courage he had back then. With his current timid and cautious demeanor, I'm afraid even after she comes out, he won't let you two meet for a while."
Yun Che quickly said, "Heart-Painting Divine Venerable thinks deeply and plans far ahead. Cai Li and I both understand his difficulties and good intentions."
"Difficulties my ass." Meng Kongchan waved his hand dismissively. "That Dian Jiuzhi has only a nine-point Divine Rank. In terms of appearance, Divine Rank, courage, and... this ability to coax women, which one can compare with my Yuan'er?! Hua Fuchen is the one who got the better deal!"
Before Yun Che could respond, he had already strode away. "I'll go chat with him first. Shou Yuan, protect Yuan'er's safety without a moment's slack."
...
In these few short days, the number of people coming and going in the Xuan Mo Realm far exceeded that of the past several months combined.
This place was supposed to be close to the Mist Sea, yet the Abyss Dust had become extraordinarily thin, so thin that one could almost do without the heavily costly isolation barrier.
Xuan Mo Realm King Mo Xifeng had indeed done so... He directly removed the isolation barrier, showing everyone the favor from the Mist Emperor with absolute clarity.
The legend of the Mist Emperor had already spread far and wide. But the Mist Sea was vast, and Xuan practitioners were endless. Those who truly encountered the Mist Emperor and received his favor were but a drop in the ocean. For those who had never experienced it personally, it was ultimately just a legend—one that completely transcended understanding. No matter how vividly described, listening to it would always feel absurd and ridiculous.
However, accompanying this legend this time was the tangible thinning of Abyss Dust in Xuan Mo City.
Now, the small Xuan Mo Realm had already seen millions of Xuan practitioners flooding in. They came following the rumors and were all shocked by what they found.
Among them, a large number had come to visit Mo Xifeng.
"Xuan Mo Realm King, I beg you to summon the Mist Emperor! My younger brother has been suffering from Abyssal Erosion for seven days now. A little longer and... if the legend is true, only the Mist Emperor can save him!"
The news that the Mist Emperor had given Mo Xifeng an Abyss Stone for an audience had naturally also spread. In these few short days, too many people had made the same plea to him.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help." Mo Xifeng refused mechanically, his voice noticeably weary. "Take your brother to the Mist Sea. If you are sincere enough, perhaps the Mist Emperor will grace you with his presence."
"No! Xuan Mo Realm King, I am willing to give all the Abyss Crystals I have..."
"I have important matters. I'm afraid I cannot receive you." Mo Xifeng turned to leave. "Announce that I will see no more guests today. No matter who, no one is to..."
Just then, Mo Qianyou hurried in and said urgently, "Father! There is an important guest..."
"I just said," Mo Xifeng waved his hand backward, "I will see no one today."
Mo Qianyou glanced around and still lowered his voice. "It is a distinguished guest from the Pure Land."
As soon as the words "Pure Land guest" were uttered, the previously noisy hall fell into dead silence. Even the kneeling supplicant stopped his wailing, as if hearing an inviolable divine edict.
Mo Xifeng's body spun around instantly, his face showing panic. Then he rushed out. "Quick! Come with me to welcome him!"
Stepping out of the hall, Mo Xifeng immediately saw the white figure.
He was clad in silver-white light armor, his calm eyes holding a faint majestic light. Standing there silently, his invisible authority seemed to have enveloped the entire world, annihilating all chaos and sin.
Mo Xifeng immediately lowered his head, stepped forward, and bowed. "Xuan Mo Realm King Mo Xifeng, respectfully welcomes the Abyss Knight."
Bai Yu spoke indifferently. "Abyss Knight number one hundred and seventy-second, 'Pale Blade' Bai Yu."
Mo Xifeng's heart shook violently... No wonder the pressure was so terrifying. This was an Abyss Knight ranked in the top two hundred!
This ranking corresponded to a cultivation level of... Divine Annihilation Realm, Level 7!
Mo Xifeng immediately bent even lower, speaking with trepidation. "May I ask what important matter brings the Knight here?"
Bai Yu said, "Indeed, there is an important matter. I need a small favor from you, Xuan Mo Realm King."
Mo Xifeng's heart skipped a beat. He could already guess what it was about, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and respond, "If I am fortunate enough to serve the Knight, the entire Xuan Mo Realm will spare no effort."
"Good." Bai Yu nodded and stated directly, "I've heard that five days ago, the sinner who calls himself the 'Mist Emperor' gave you an Abyss Stone that can summon him. Is this true?"
"It... is true." Mo Xifeng's voice began to sound strained.
Bai Yu commanded, "Excellent. Immediately follow us into the Mist Sea and summon that sinner out. Blaspheming the Abyss Emperor, confusing people's hearts—his tricks and his crimes shall be ended today."
An order from the Pure Land—who dared to disobey?
But Mo Xifeng did not immediately respond. He clenched his teeth and finally said, "Knight, the Mist... the name he claims may be blasphemous, but he has done my Xuan Mo Realm a great kindness. That Abyss Stone was a gift given after he bestowed his favor. Apart from these favors, he has never asked anything of my Xuan Mo Realm, let alone committed any crime. I... Mo Xifeng... how can I repay kindness with enmity..."
As he finished these words, everyone in the Xuan Mo Realm turned ashen.
Bai Yu's gaze suddenly turned cold. "You dare to defy the Pure Land's order?"
Mo Xifeng looked up, but his eyes met the increasingly pale faces of his close relatives and fellow disciples... He had no choice but to lower his head again, his voice hoarse. "I dare not. Since the Knight commands, Mo Xifeng naturally obeys."
The icy tension in the space eased slightly. Bai Yu turned and slowly walked toward the Mist Sea. "Xuan Mo Realm King, be careful not to give your loyalty and gratitude to the wrong person. Rest assured, the Pure Land never forgets anyone's contributions."
Mo Xifeng glanced at those around him, signaling with his eyes for everyone to stay, then followed Bai Yu alone.
However, the Xuan practitioners staying in the Xuan Mo Realm were all stirred. They set aside whatever they were doing and followed from afar... The legend of the Mist Emperor had finally alerted the Pure Land. And now the Pure Land had initiated its sanctions against the Mist Emperor.
Such a seemingly heaven-sent opportunity—how could they miss witnessing it firsthand?
No one noticed that in a remote and hidden corner, a man of plain appearance and attire quietly disappeared from the spot.
In the shallow part of the Mist Sea, Yun Che's figure slowly emerged from the void.
"About the time I expected," Yun Che muttered to himself. "An Abyss Knight ranked one hundred and seventy-second, plus seven attendant knights."
He closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
"Is something wrong?" Li Suo asked.
Yun Che did not answer immediately. A moment later, he opened his eyes and whispered, "A mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!?"
Li Suo: "?"
"I spent a whole year building up this momentum to create what can be called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Pure Land wouldn't just send a single Abyss Knight. In my estimation, there should be at least three high-ranking Abyss Knights."
"But I didn't sense anyone else's presence at all. Unless it is..."
Divine Extreme Realm!
Sensing the tremor in Yun Che's heart and soul, Li Suo said, "If the situation is untenable, you should retreat and wait for the next opportunity. As long as you stay hidden in the Mist Sea, no one can easily detect your presence. There is no need to put yourself at risk."
Yun Che frowned, but then let out a cold sneer. "Great risks often come with great rewards."
"It seems I'll have to adjust the plan slightly. If there is indeed a power at the Divine Extreme Realm lurking nearby, to minimize danger, I cannot use my true form."
He stretched out his arm. Colorless Arcane Firmament shot forth, diving into the rolling Abyss Mist, then opening above the mist the two eerie gray pupils belonging to the Mist Emperor.
"If it's a Divine Extreme Realm power, even the maximum range for controlling Arcane Firmament remains within danger... In that case, I have no choice but to directly use my trump card."
Yun Che's gaze fixed on the edge of the Mist Sea. His true form faded far into the Abyss Dust, becoming invisible, leaving only an extremely low murmur: "I hope your trip this time will bring this Emperor enough surprises!"