Chapter 2109: A Hair's Breadth from the Pure Land
Yuan Chen, wrapped around Yun Che's soul imprint, plunged straight into the depths of Sha Xing's soul sea.
Just as Yun Che had said earlier, in this world, no one other than him (?) could perceive Yuan Chen's existence through spiritual sense. They could only detect it through the feedback of obstructed or eroded aura.
Thus, Yuan Chen could isolate his aura as well as his soul aura. Unless someone probed directly into the depths of Sha Xing's soul sea with their soul, it was absolutely impossible to perceive his existence through sensing… and even less so on his own.
The news of the Star God Son's disappearance was quickly suppressed, but it was still captured by the Xuanji Hall and then transmitted to Yun Che as a piece of information of little importance and certainty.
Thus, Yun Che began to wait at the right time… driven by human nature, he judged that Sha Xing's return to the Mist Sea this time would most likely lead him back to the nightmare land where he had encountered the Abyss Erosion last time.
As he wished, after waiting only a few days, Sha Xing appeared in the area covered by his divine sense.
Turning him into a latent "Abyss Ghost" was far simpler than it had been with that Yuchi Nanxing before.
When Sha Xing woke up, he only felt excruciating pain all over his body.
He opened his eyes, and what entered his sight was the gray, silent Mist Sea.
I'm… not dead?
He sat up straight and subconsciously circulated his profound energy to suppress his injuries… Suddenly, his heart shook violently, and his eyes flew wide open.
Because as his profound energy surged, there was no trace of that intense, numbing pain within his profound veins.
He quickly examined his profound veins. As the profound energy flowed completely through the fifty-four profound gates and then to all of his divine ranks, there was no longer any pain or obstruction.
The Abyss Erosion that had invaded his profound veins was completely gone! Only a few minor wounds that could heal quickly remained.
He stood there, frozen, unable to regain his senses for a long time amidst the overwhelmingly intense excitement and surreal feeling… Although it had only been half a year, no one could understand the soul torture he had endured.
That half year was the longest and most unbearable time of his life.
But the intense pain all over his body told him this was not a dream.
At that moment, he finally sensed something and suddenly looked up at the dim sky above.
There, a pair of eyes hidden within the Abyss Mist silently gazed down at him.
He opened his mouth, but it took a long time before he could barely voice the words: "Mist… Emperor…"
"Your Abyss Erosion has been removed. You should leave now."
He received the Mist Emperor's response, but it was words he dared not believe.
Memories before his unconsciousness flooded back. He shook his head, trying to stand, but his broken leg bones made him stagger and fall to his knees. Yet this pain and injury, compared to the profound veins freed from the Abyss Erosion, were not even worth mentioning. He immediately raised his head and said: "I… what must I pay?"
"Pay? What? You want to repay this Emperor's grace?"
There was no approval in his imposing tone, only mockery: "All you living beings can live in peace in this world because of this Emperor's gift! Have you ever repaid? And with what?"
Sha Xing's lips trembled, and for a moment, he had no words to respond. At this point, who in this world did not know that scene of the Mist Emperor's furious words to the Abyss Knight?
"This world belongs to the Abyss. This Emperor granted you a place to live and even restrained the Abyss's subjects to dwell in the Mist Sea. But you, having already obtained your own land to live in, repeatedly invade the Mist Sea for so-called training and resources, hunting this Emperor's subjects… The Abyss Erosion you suffered is the retribution you deserve!"
"…" Sha Xing still had nothing to say, and a growing confusion gradually reflected in his eyes.
"Unfortunately, this Emperor cannot be as heartless as your human race. As for you, if you truly hold even a shred of gratitude, then get the hell out of the Mist Sea right now and never set foot in it again."
Sha Xing opened his mouth and blurted out an untimely question: "That's… all?"
"Get lost!"
A single furious roar exploded within his soul, and then the gray pupils vanished with the Abyss Mist, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
In his sight remained only the endless Yuan Chen, with no trace of the Mist Emperor.
Sha Xing was completely stunned there, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
Before coming here, he had prepared himself mentally to the utmost, even carrying the resolve to cut off all retreat… If he really could meet the Mist Emperor, if he really could rid himself of the Abyss Erosion, even if it cost him half his lifespan, he would not hesitate.
He had truly met the Mist Emperor, and it had been so easy. The Mist Emperor had truly removed his Abyss Erosion, and… at no cost.
If a cost had to be named, it was simply that he had to get out of the Mist Sea.
At that moment, what occupied his heart the most was not the joy of having his wish fulfilled, but rather a long-lasting bewilderment, along with a violent shake of his cognition and convictions.
He levitated into the air and, dragging his heavily injured body, flew out of the Mist Sea… And until he left the Mist Sea's boundaries, he never encountered a single Abyss Beast.
Stopping his momentum, he looked back at the Mist Sea, his emotions never so complex.
In life, the greatest kindnesses, beyond the grace of birth, upbringing, and teaching, were none other than the grace of saving a life and the grace of rebirth.
That seemingly terrifying Mist Emperor had bestowed upon him such a great kindness without forcing him to pay any price. He had left with apparent disdain, yet had escorted his heavily injured self safely out of the Mist Sea.
At this moment, the Mist Emperor's shocking words in that projection… that he created a living place for living beings, gathered the Mist Sea for living beings, restrained the Abyss Beasts for living beings…
The sense of reality so truly outweighed the absurdity.
"Star… Star God Son!"
Voices filled with surprise and excitement came from afar. It turned out to be a group of Star God disciples.
Soon, a crowd of people exuding the aura of the Star God had already secured him protectively. They had been ordered to search for Sha Xing in the Mist Sea and had originally come with the resolve to search for a needle in a haystack. They hadn't expected to find his figure before even truly entering the Mist Sea.
Taking one last deep look at the Mist Sea, Sha Xing released his aura and strained nerves, and let out a long sigh: "Let's go."
In the Star Moon Divine Temple, the atmosphere was freezing, and the space was so cold and silent it was nearly frozen solid.
"Sha Xing, do you know… what exactly you have done!"
In the center of the temple were two conjoined divine thrones. On the right throne sat a figure whose entire body radiated divine light.
His face was as white as porcelain, his hair reached his waist, and his face and features had the angularity of a man yet the softness of a woman. Even his voice, as it emerged, was stern yet gentle, difficult to distinguish as male or female.
One of the Twin God Venerables of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom—the Tianxing God Venerable, Wu Shenxing.
He rarely became angry, because anger would distort his countenance, as beautiful as the heavenly stars.
But Sha Xing had fled Star Moon and sought out the Mist Emperor on his own… Faced with this act of great rebellion, and also the first rebellious act of his life, Wu Shenxing's anger could not be contained.
Sha Xing knelt with his head bowed: "Disciple could not break his own thoughts and acted willfully, causing the Venerable to worry and rage for the disciple… Disciple knows his great offense is unforgivable, and is willing to accept any punishment."
He was deeply ashamed but had no regrets.
Wu Shenxing stared at him… He had to admit that when he learned Sha Xing's Abyss Erosion had indeed completely disappeared, he was overjoyed. Only then did the gradually magnifying unease follow.
"Tell This Venerable," he forcefully suppressed his anger, trying to keep his voice calm: "How did you find the Mist Emperor? And what price… did you pay to remove the Abyss Erosion from your profound veins?"
Sha Xing recounted the process of meeting the Mist Emperor and having his Abyss Erosion removed to the Tianxing God Venerable in full detail.
His account was so brief that the Tianxing God Venerable remained silent for a long time.
"That's all?"
The Tianxing God Venerable uttered the exact same four words Sha Xing had used when facing the Mist Emperor.
"Yes, that's all." Sha Xing lifted his eyes to meet Wu Shenxing's gaze directly: "Disciple has committed a great fault, but dares not utter a single false word before the Venerable."
The Tianxing God Venerable fell silent again. When he spoke next, his voice was as cold as a star: "Tell This Venerable, what price were you originally prepared to pay?"
Sha Xing replied: "According to the rumors about the Mist Emperor, he has removed the Abyss Erosion for many people who were otherwise doomed to certain death, but he has never asked anyone for any return. It has always been the purest form of grace. Disciple also held this thought in his heart… And if the Mist Emperor required a price in exchange, Disciple would sacrifice anything, and would never harm the Star Moon Divine Kingdom!"
"Nonsense!" The Tianxing God Venerable said coldly: "In this world today, who does not know the Mist Emperor's foul words and hostility toward the Abyss Emperor! The six great divine kingdoms exist because of the Abyss Emperor and have been passed down because of him. You, as the God Son of our Star Moon Divine Kingdom, actually went to beg for the Mist Emperor's salvation! Do you know that once this matter gets out, how will the world look at you, and how will the Pure Land look down upon my Star Moon Divine Kingdom!"
"Disciple knows…" Sha Xing lowered his head and said: "But during the time my profound veins were eroded, my body and mind both suffered great torment. Although this erosion was in my body, it affected the future of the Crescent Moon, the Star God lineage, and even the entire divine kingdom. The Venerable also exhausted his thoughts for the disciple… These things have all layered and accumulated in my heart, and the Mist Emperor of the rumors was the only one…"
"That's enough!" Wu Shenxing slammed the armrest in anger: "This Venerable is fully aware of the torment you have endured. This Venerable also knows well that the rumors of the Mist Emperor being able to remove the Abyss Erosion are true. But, This Venerable has never, for even a moment, considered seeking the Mist Emperor's salvation for you. Do you truly not understand the reasons behind this, or the depths involved!"
Sha Xing lifted his eyes and said: "Disciple understands. This rebellious act of mine was only to slightly relieve the unwillingness in my heart, and I actually held not a shred of hope. I never expected… Moreover, from what I saw and felt this time, the Mist Emperor is absolutely not an evil and vicious person. On the contrary, the Mist Emperor…"
"Shut up!" Wu Shenxing roared in reprimand, and the aura that suddenly descended swallowed up every word that left Sha Xing's mouth.
His brows furrowed like swords: "Sha Xing, listen carefully. In this world, there is never absolute good and evil or right and wrong. With different standpoints, good and evil, right and wrong, can very easily be completely opposite."
"To you, your first identity is the God Son of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom! Your direct standpoint is the direction of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom, and your higher standpoint is the direction of the Pure Land!"
"Xing, there is no need to be so angry."
A gentle voice slowly arrived. Then, a figure in a moon robe walked slowly over.
He had a face identical to Wu Shenxing's, except that his brows and eyes held a bit more gentle charm. He strolled leisurely, and as his figure swayed naturally, it clearly displayed a harmonious gracefulness.
His voice was like a willow-brushing breeze, silently sweeping away the cold stillness of the space and the anger of the Tianxing God Venerable.
One of the Twin God Venerables of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom—the Qiongyue God Venerable, Wu Shenyue.
The Star God lineage all took "Star" as their surname, and the Moon God lineage all took "Moon" as their surname. But when the Star Moon Divine Kingdom was first founded, when the Abyss Emperor bestowed the Star Moon divine power, he also bestowed upon its inheritors the surname "Wu," implying, and also warning, that the Star and Moon lineages should walk hand in hand, unite hearts and strength, and jointly govern the kingdom, never to part.
The original Star Moon surnames were then attributed to their divine names.
The same was true for the names of the God Sons.
Behind Wu Shenyue, Xianyue followed closely. He hurried forward, knelt beside Sha Xing, and secretly gave him a smile of relief and reassurance.
"Yue, did you hear what he just said?"
Wu Shenxing's anger had not subsided: "The hardest thing in this world to let go of is a great kindness that does not require repayment! It is precisely such a great kindness that made Sha Xing… just now speak in favor of that Mist Emperor!"
"I heard him." Wu Shenyue said softly: "No one knows what the future holds. But at least the immediate result is extremely good."
"…" Wu Shenxing did not deny it.
Wu Shenyue raised his hand, and a ray of moonlight wrapped around Sha Xing's body, then withdrew in an instant.
He smiled gently: "Not only has Sha Xing's Abyss Erosion completely disappeared, but there is also no abnormal aura or mark left on his body. Among all the rumors about the Mist Emperor, he has never asked for any return from those he has favored, nor has there ever been any visible scheme. So, as long as we cover up this matter, there is no need for any worry. On the contrary… it can be considered a great stroke of luck."
Wu Shenxing still frowned slightly: "The God Son of my Star Moon Divine Kingdom is not to be compared to those insignificant people."
"But in the eyes of the Mist Emperor, there may be no difference at all." Wu Shenyue said slowly: "He saved Sha Xing, likely simply because Sha Xing was a fated person he encountered by chance, just like those he saved before."
Wu Shenyue continued: "I have ordered people to spread the news that Sha Xing's Abyss Erosion was severed by our combined efforts, at the cost of a half-penalty on his profound veins. But the Star Moon system originates from the teachings and grace of the Abyss Emperor, and it is the foundation that my Star Moon Divine Kingdom has always upheld. Therefore, Xianyue will slow down a bit and continue to maintain harmony with Sha Xing. No matter now or in the future, even with greater setbacks, it will never affect the Star Moon system."
Wu Shenxing's expression gradually eased. He pondered for a moment and said, half helplessly: "Then let it be… I hope my worries are all unnecessary."
"Sha Xing, you are not allowed to mention anything about the Mist Emperor! As for your recent disappearance, you will find a way to explain it yourself! You understand the stakes involved!"
"Yes, please rest assured, both Venerables." Sha Xing immediately bowed and guaranteed.
As they walked out of the Star Moon Divine Temple, Xianyue immediately asked with great interest: "Sha Xing, what does the Mist Emperor look like? Is he really just a mass of mist like the legends say? And how did you meet him?"
Sha Xing repeated the account he had given to the Tianxing God Venerable. The process was so brief that Xianyue too was stunned for a long time, unable to believe it.
"Xianyue," Sha Xing said, somewhat dazedly, looking ahead: "Based on what I saw and felt of the Mist Emperor, I suddenly feel that what he said in the projection to the Abyss Knight is very likely true. And if the Mist Emperor's words are true, then the Abyss Emperor's creation of the world at the very beginning of the Abyss becomes a lie…"
"Sha Xing!!"
Xianyue stopped abruptly, letting out a low shout.
"…" Sha Xing closed his mouth and said nothing more.
Xianyue lowered his voice, his brows tightly furrowed: "Don't say such things again… to anyone!"
"I understand." Sha Xing's expression did not change: "Those words, I will only say to you. I did not even mention them to the Venerable."
Xianyue continued in a low voice: "To us… or rather, to almost everyone, standpoint often outweighs truth and falsehood, right and wrong. You and I are both God Sons of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom. A thousand times… a thousand times do not let gratitude hijack your convictions."
"Mm, rest assured." Sha Xing nodded, his expression firm: "It is only when I face you that I never hide my thoughts. But beyond thoughts, I am not yet confused about what is important and what is not."
However, people could control their words and actions, but they could not truly control the direction of the thoughts in their hearts.
When a long-held faith, never doubted or shaken, suddenly cracked open a hole, that hole would not disappear on its own. Instead, it would continuously break more and more gaps… Even the most ordinary things, or words once considered most correct in one's cognition, would slowly gnaw away at that hole bit by bit.
…
Time passed, and it gradually drew close to the third year since Yun Che "returned" to the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom.
During this period, the six great divine kingdoms were quite peaceful.
Because the audience with the Pure Land was imminent.
This was the first Pure Land assembly after the Abyss channel had successfully connected to the "Eternal Pure Land," and its significance far surpassed any previous one.
Perhaps it would directly herald the future fate of the Abyss world.
The Senluo God Son, Dian Jiuzhi, had completed his seclusion. There was vague intelligence that he had successfully broken through to the eighth level of the Divine Annihilation Realm, but the Xuanji Hall expressed great doubt about this.
The twin God Sons of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom had both completed their breakthrough to the fourth level of the Divine Annihilation Realm. After completing their final trial at the Star Moon Thousand Machine Tower, they both entered a period of rest. Clearly, they intended to meet the upcoming Pure Land audience in their best states.
The Eternal Night Divine Kingdom was as lifeless as ever, with no way to probe.
The Xiaodie God Son, Pan Buzhuo, had long since completed his breakthrough to the fourth level of the Divine Annihilation Realm. He had spent the last two years consolidating his foundation, and now had firmly established himself at the fourth level of the Divine Annihilation Realm, with a great breakthrough in his Dark Demon Art.
The Zhe Tian Divine Maiden, Hua Caili, had not appeared since entering the Seven Star Zhe Tian Array three years ago. It made people worry whether she could break out of the array before the Pure Land audience.
On the side of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, Meng Jianxi had finally completed his breakthrough to the fourth level of the Divine Annihilation Realm in the near term. But he knew well that the world's gaze on the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom had long since shifted away from him and onto "Meng Jian Yuan," who possessed a perfect divine rank… even though "Meng Jian Yuan" was only at the Divine Lord Realm.
Since the Mist Emperor's appearance, everyone had been quietly watching the movements of the Pure Land.
But the Pure Land had never issued any declaration about the Mist Emperor's existence, seemingly completely ignoring it, or perhaps deeming it beneath its notice… at least on the surface.
However, back then, the Pure Land had not hesitated to send a Knight Commander to lure and ambush the Mist Emperor, showing that the Pure Land's attitude toward the Mist Emperor was far from the indifferent facade it presented.
But what the Pure Land had done in secret toward the Mist Emperor after that… no one knew, and it had never caused any noticeable commotion.
As for the Abyss Emperor… as always, he had not appeared before the world in all these years, and no one ever saw him. He was like the divine being holding up the heavens in the myths, silently looking down upon the vast worlds and the boundless multitudes from the highest point of this world.
The wheel of time beneath the tide of time still rolled uneasily forward, dragging the date of the Pure Land audience ever closer…
Until less than a month remained.