Chapter 2127: The Divine Arrival of All Kingdoms
A hundred years ago, at the Pure Land gathering, Meng Kongchan would always dawdle and be the last to arrive. At that time, as the only one among the Six Divine Kingdoms without a Divine Successor, every time he faced the other Divine Venerables, he deeply felt that his head was bowed low enough to touch the dust.
After experiencing the birth and loss of Meng Jian Yuan, followed by Meng Jianxi's acquired awakening, Meng Kongchan could finally hold his head up.
But this time was completely different.
With two Divine Sons at his side, one of whom possessed a Perfect Divine Rank, the Dreamless Divine Venerable walked into the Eden Cloud Summit with his hands clasped behind his back and his head held high. His eyes, which seemed to want to rise above his own crown, swept the room, only to find that none of the other five Divine Kingdoms had arrived yet.
"Your Highness, your head is practically lifting to the heavens," said the second palace master, Meng Chaoyang, with a light laugh.
The fifth palace master, Meng Chaofeng, lowered her voice and said, "After being stifled for over ten thousand years, now with two Divine Sons before him, one of them shining with a Perfect Divine Rank, of course he wants to vent all that pent-up frustration."
The siblings exchanged a glance and both smiled. They could already foresee how "haughty" Meng Kongchan would be when he faced the other Divine Venerables later.
After all, even a Divine Venerable is ultimately a person bearing the power of a True God.
The Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom was the first to arrive, but not the first force. In the pure white world, three figures were already waiting early.
When the Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom arrived, the three approached in a timely manner, their postures respectful.
The old man at the forefront smiled and said, "Hehe, it has only been a few years since we last met, yet the Dreamless Divine Venerable's divine bearing has grown so much more radiant—truly enviable."
Meng Kongchan did not act arrogantly; he returned the smile with courtesy. "The Dragon Clan has also been receiving good news. I extend my congratulations here... Dragon Lord."
The Dragon Clan was in decline, far inferior to the six great Divine Kingdoms. But as the only beast clan in the Abyss, they held a special status. Moreover, in terms of seniority and experience, the Dragon Lord was older than all the current Divine Venerables, deserving their equal regard.
The two figures behind the Dragon Lord stepped forward half a pace and bowed respectfully:
"Left Attendant Long Chixin, paying respects to the Dreamless Divine Venerable."
"Right Attendant Long Qianxin, paying respects to the Dreamless Divine Venerable."
"Long Chixin, Long Qianxin..." Yun Che murmured the two names softly, then sighed. "It seems that the matter of inheritance has indeed troubled the entire Dragon Clan."
"Always has been," said Meng Jianxi. "Legend has it that the ancient Dragon Clan of the outer realms struggled to have offspring, and here in the Abyss, subjected to the erosion of Abyss Dust for millennia, the Dragon Clan's reproductive ability has become extremely weak."
"The Dragon Lord is incredibly old—so old that few remember his true name. It wasn't until eight Jiazi ago that he finally had a dragon heir—the current Young Dragon Lord of the Dragon Clan, and the only direct descendant of the Ancestral Dragon lineage: Long Wangchu. Truly lamentable."
"However," Meng Jianxi's tone shifted, his voice lowering further, "the Dragon Clan's strength should never be underestimated. Although the Dragon Lord's cultivation is only at the mid-stage of the Divine Extreme Realm, a dragon's body is incomparable to a human's. My maternal grandfather (Meng Zangji) once said that even with his peak Divine Extreme Realm cultivation, he had no confidence in defeating the Dragon Lord."
"The Dragon Lord's two Dragon Attendants, Long Chixin and Long Qianxin, are also at the Divine Extreme Realm... However, it is an undeniable and unstoppable fact that each generation of the Dragon Clan declines further. It's hard to imagine how much the Dragon Clan will decay after Long Wangchu succeeds as Dragon Lord."
Meng Jianxi's tone carried a hint of contempt when mentioning Long Wangchu.
Because, based on the information gathered by the Xuanji Hall over the years, this Young Dragon Lord was a complete good-for-nothing... in every aspect.
And yet, this good-for-nothing was the only orthodox heir, the only choice. How tragic and ridiculous.
Just then, the Dragon Lord's gaze fell upon Yun Che. "This must be the Abyss Divine Son of the Dreamweaving Divine Kingdom, lost and found, whose Perfect Divine Rank has amazed the Abyss."
Meng Kongchan smiled. "The Dragon Lord's eyes are as sharp as a torch. This is indeed my unworthy son, Jian Yuan, who also goes by the name Yun Che."
Yun Che stepped forward and said with respectful courtesy, "This junior, Yun Che, has long heard of the Dragon Clan's illustrious name. It is a great honor to meet the Dragon Lord today."
Such courtesy left the Dragon Lord, who had weathered countless ages and was long accustomed to bowing before divine kingdoms, with a momentary sense of being flattered. The wrinkles on his face relaxed as he smiled and nodded. "With such bearing and brilliance as the Abyss Divine Son's, who could not fix their gaze upon him in an instant?"
Meng Kongchan was quite pleased by the praise. Chuckling, he said, "This boy has only been back for a few years and is still very green. He doesn't deserve such praise from the Dragon Lord."
The Dragon Lord replied, "His bearing is like a cloud, his countenance like a star—and a Perfect Divine Rank is a divine miracle bestowed by heaven. No words of praise in this world would be excessive for the Abyss Divine Son. Compared to him, my own worthless..."
He paused, his smile turning bitter, and shook his head. "Let's not speak of it."
Meng Kongchan said politely, "The Dragon Lord is too kind. Although I have not had the leisure to visit the Ancestral Dragon Mountain Range in recent years, I am well aware that the Young Dragon Lord's progress has been swift of late. It seems he has had a sudden epiphany, a burst from accumulated reserves. His future is limitless."
"Hehe." The Dragon Lord gave a faint smile, silently masking the embarrassment in his eyes. "I am truly ashamed to accept such words from the Dreamless Divine Venerable."
To others, his "shame" sounded like modesty. But to Long Chixin and Long Qianxin, it carried a completely different meaning.
"Dreamless Divine Venerable arrives so early—truly rare."
A half-teasing voice rang out. In an instant, the pure white world was bathed in new divine radiance. Starlight and moonlight seemed to descend from beyond the heavens, interweaving like a dream woven of stars and moons.
Two figures, shrouded in divine light and identical in appearance, walked forth from the brilliance of stars and the moon. They shared the same stature and features, their steps through the clouds, their fluctuations of aura, and the movements of their eyes all perfectly synchronized, like mirror images.
The power they carried was all too familiar to Yun Che.
The power of the Star God and Moon God!
Their identities were immediately clear.
The Twin True Gods of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom: Heavenly Star Divine Venerable Wu Shenxing, and Vast Moon Divine Venerable Wu Shenyue!
"A Perfect Divine Rank bestowed upon the Dreamweaving Kingdom is most enviable, and the Dreamless Divine Venerable's divine bearing is naturally renewed."
As Wu Shenyue spoke, the two Divine Venerables' identities became perfectly distinct.
Just as rumored, though it was a male voice, it carried a softness that surpassed even a woman's, almost seeping into the marrow.
"What of it?" Meng Kongchan turned around, beaming. "After over ten thousand years of being stared at with pity, can't I finally lift my head and let out a breath?"
"Hahahaha!" Wu Shenxing laughed heartily, his gaze falling on Yun Che. He did not stint on praise. "What an Abyss Divine Son! Just returned to the Divine Kingdom, at the Divine Lord Realm, yet calm and unflinching. And his appearance... not only does he live up to the rumors, he even surpasses them. A few more years, once he fully matures, I'm afraid even the title of 'First Divine Son' will change hands."
Yun Che quickly stepped forward and saluted. "Yun Che of the Dreamweaving Kingdom pays respects to Heavenly Star Divine Venerable and Vast Moon Divine Venerable. Heavenly Star Divine Venerable's praise fills this junior with a thousandfold trepidation; I dare not accept it ten thousand times over."
But Meng Kongchan interjected, "When a Divine Venerable speaks, every word is worth ten thousand cauldrons. If he says you deserve it, then you deserve it. Even if that old fellow from the main hall were here, he would accept it as a compliment."
The pleasantries between Divine Venerables were not so different from ordinary people. While they exchanged words, the younger generation naturally engaged with each other.
"Abyss Brother, these are Star Divine Son Sha Xing and Moon Divine Son Xian Yue," Meng Jianxi introduced to Yun Che.
"Long have I heard of the fame of the Star Moon Twin Jewels," said Yun Che. "I am Yun Che. Star Divine Son and Moon Divine Son may address me as such."
As he spoke, his gaze did not turn toward Pan Buwang, who remained silently in a corner, seemingly unaware of his existence.
Sha Xing and Xian Yue exchanged a glance. Sha Xing smiled. "We have heard of the Abyss Divine Son's insistence, but we still prefer to call you 'Abyss Divine Son.' We hope you won't take offense."
"You two Divine Sons are too serious." Yun Che responded with a faint smile, neither too warm nor too distant.
Just then, Meng Kongchan's gaze caught the figure that clearly did not belong.
"Mm?" He raised an eyebrow slightly. "You are?"
Sensing the Dreamless Divine Venerable's stare, Pan Buwang straightened up. He stepped forward and said respectfully and calmly, "This junior, Pan Buwang, pays respects to the Dreamless Divine Venerable."
Meng Kongchan naturally recognized the former Divine Son of the Xiaodie Kingdom. With a puzzled look, he turned to Wu Shenxing and Wu Shenyue, wondering why Pan Buwang had come with the Star Moon Divine Kingdom.
Before the Star Moon Divine Venerables could speak, a cold snort came from behind.
"Hmph. The Star Moon Divine Kingdom must be truly idle. Not only do they take in the abandoned son of our Xiaodie Kingdom, but they even waste a spot to bring him here to the Pure Land. Should Pan take it that you are deliberately trying to embarrass the Xiaodie Kingdom?"
The light suddenly dimmed.
The Qiheng Divine Venerable, Pan Yusheng, arrived soundlessly. The might of his demonic aura, though formless, instantly chilled the space and made souls shrink.
Wu Shenxing glanced sideways and said with a faint smile, "Pan Buwang may be an abandoned son in your Xiaodie Kingdom, but he is an honored guest in our Star Moon Kingdom. When an honored guest makes a request, how could our Star Moon lightly refuse?"
Bringing Pan Buwang to the Pure Land had been Sha Xing's earnest request, and he had been very insistent. Ultimately, Wu Shenxing had agreed.
"Qiheng Divine Venerable," Meng Kongchan quickly interjected, apparently worried about a conflict between Star Moon and Xiaodie. "Even if Buwang committed a great mistake, he is still your flesh and blood. He was once the Xiaodie Divine Son. No matter what, there is no need to be so estranged and decisive."
"Hmph, Meng Kongchan, before meddling in Pan's family affairs, take care of your own."
Pan Yusheng shot a sidelong glance at Yun Che and said coldly, "Don't think that just because you've acquired a Perfect Divine Rank, you can be smug. Everyone knows that this so-called 'Abyss Divine Son' flatly refuses to be a Divine Son. He even rejects the name 'Meng Jian Yuan,' only wanting to be called 'Yun Che.'"
"A 'Divine Son' who refuses to be a Divine Son, a foreign-born son who refuses to acknowledge his father. Ha! What a colossal joke."
Such a direct, stabbing mockery did not provoke the slightest anger on Meng Kongchan's face. Instead, his brows lifted high. "The Qiheng Divine Venerable is absolutely right. That is indeed how Yuan'er is."
"When Yuan'er was lost all those years, he was saved by his benefactor master. The name 'Yun Che' was also bestowed by that master. Although he has returned to the Dreamweaving Kingdom, his memory has not yet recovered, so naturally he cannot truly accept the identity of Meng Jian Yuan. Moreover, he will never forget the kindness of his master nor the name his master gave him."
He looked directly at Pan Yusheng, speaking with pride. "Let me ask all the men in the world: who does not crave the identity of a Divine Venerable's son? Who does not covet the title of Divine Son? Only Yuan'er... when the ultimate pursuit of every man in the world is laid before him, it cannot shake his remembrance of his master's grace in the slightest! Such great value placed on gratitude and righteousness, such character—this alone makes him worthy to be a man of the Dreamweaving Kingdom, worthy to be the son of me, Meng Kongchan!"
He raised his head and looked sideways at Pan Yusheng's ashen face. "But the Qiheng Divine Venerable's words greatly confuse me. Does the Qiheng Divine Venerable believe that a man should decisively choose fame and profit and discard gratitude and righteousness like a worn-out shoe?"
"Well said! Well said! Hahahahaha!"
A boisterous laugh shook everyone's eardrums, almost making them vomit blood.
The Jueluo Divine Venerable, Dian Luohou, and the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable, Hua Fuchen, arrived side by side. Their combined divine pressure swiftly dispelled the coldness released by the Qiheng Divine Venerable.
"Old Meng, when did you become so sharp-tongued?" Dian Luohou came to Meng Kongchan's side, speaking boisterously. "In the past, when you came here, you barely spoke more than a few words... It seems that having Jian Yuan by your side has given you a lot of confidence, hahahaha!"
His tone was unbridled, his movements wild and uninhibited—nothing like the dignified bearing of a Divine Venerable.
Meng Kongchan, called out like this to his face, showed no embarrassment. He admitted frankly, "Naturally. There is no great impropriety in saying that the father's status is elevated by the son."
The two Divine Venerables exchanged smiles. Pan Yusheng gave a heavy snort and turned his back, saying no more.
Yun Che's gaze met Hua Caili's from afar, and they both instinctively looked away after a brief contact.
Like Yun Che, before arriving at the Eden Cloud Summit, Hua Caili had been repeatedly reminded by Hua Fuchen and Hua Qingying.
With the Abyss Emperor above and all the Divine Venerables present, for the sake of their shared future, they must exercise utmost restraint and reveal no flaws.
Yun Che turned his head unhurriedly, meeting the gaze of Dian Sansi.
Dian Sansi's expression was calm, his eyes indifferent. But Yun Che knew all too well that hidden deep within those pupils was a hellfire barely suppressed by will and reason.
The corners of Yun Che's lips tilted slightly, revealing a very faint smile.
To outsiders, it seemed a polite gesture of acknowledgment upon meeting eyes. But to Dian Sansi, it made his hands clench abruptly.
He understood too clearly what kind of contempt and mockery lay hidden behind Yun Che's gentle, harmless smile.
The words Yun Che had spoken, so utterly humiliating and venomous, were like billions of poisonous barbs stabbing into his heart and soul. Even though he maintained a calm surface and steady aura, the soul-piercing disgrace could never truly dissipate in his heart.
But Dian Jiuzhi took the initiative to step forward, smiling at Yun Che. "Brother Yun, I heard from my father that you personally visited before, but I missed you due to an unavoidable engagement. I am deeply regretful and ashamed. Last time we spoke in the Dreamweaving Kingdom, I benefited greatly and felt we had met too late."
"Once this Pure Land gathering is concluded, I will certainly visit the Dreamweaving Kingdom within ten days to have a good talk with you. I wonder if Brother Yun will have the leisure?"
To be frank, Dian Jiuzhi's reaction greatly exceeded Yun Che's expectations.
Especially his eyes... Yun Che could find no deep-seated hatred hiding there—only sincerity.
Perhaps the hatred was too well hidden, or perhaps Yun Che's ability to read hearts was still insufficient, or perhaps...
Yun Che quickly smiled. "Brother Dian, you flatter me. If Brother Dian comes, everything else becomes trivial. I will only be waiting with an empty seat."
"Tsk, tsk. These two kids have already started calling each other brothers when did that happen?" Dian Luohou laughed loudly.
He grabbed Meng Kongchan with one hand and Hua Fuchen with the other, his long, flowing beard reflecting his slightly reddened face. "The bond among us three really can't be broken. Even our successors—one pair are in-laws, and the other pair are brothers. Excellent, excellent! Hohohaha!"
"Naturally," said Hua Fuchen with a smile. "The three of us swore an oath in childhood to be lifelong close friends. Regardless of our status or grievances, we must never forget this vow."
Every word was sincere, but the smiles on his and Meng Kongchan's faces were far from as carefree as Dian Luohou's.
All five kingdoms had arrived, leaving only the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom, but no one asked about it.
While the others engaged in pleasantries and rivalries, Yun Che approached the most diminished and overlooked side—the Dragon Clan.
"May I ask the senior Dragon Lord, is there someone named 'Long Jiang' in the Dragon Clan?"