**Chapter 2149: An Inch of Grass, a Father's Heart**
The Donghuang Divine Attendant acknowledged the order and raised his hand. Two beams of profound light, condensed like rainbows, suddenly shot down, landing straight on Yun Che and Hua Caili.
Hua Qingying instinctively raised her hand to block, but was instantly pressed down by Hua Fuchen. They could only watch helplessly as Hua Caili was bound by the chain-like profound light and brought together with Yun Che before the Grand Priest.
Under the authority of the Abyss Emperor and the Grand Priest, they were powerless to stop it. Forcibly blocking would only anger the Grand Priest and lead to even more terrible consequences.
The binding profound light not only completely sealed their movements but also suppressed their profound energy, leaving them unable to release any struggle or escape.
The words "Wild Devouring Punishment" caused Dian Jiuzhi, who was half-collapsed, to almost spring up from the ground. He looked at Hua Caili, who was bound by the profound light before the Grand Priest, his face filled with extreme terror, as if he himself were about to be the one punished.
"The Wild Devouring Punishment... it's the Wild Devouring Punishment... Good... good... this is retribution... haha... hahaha!"
Dian Sansi let out a joyful laugh, but the laughter abruptly stopped as he caught Dian Jiuzhi's gaze.
His eyes were filled with heart-devouring pain... and beyond the pain, only a terrifying emptiness.
Dian Jiuzhi's words of entreaty and request suddenly surfaced in his soul sea... He could no longer laugh, standing there stupefied, as if completely lost his soul.
Aura of fear and panic spread rapidly... Although it wasn't being inflicted on them, the words "Wild Devouring Punishment" still awakened the deeply ingrained imprint of fear in everyone's hearts. Even some seasoned elderly profound practitioners felt their bodies uncontrollably tremble for a few breaths.
Yun Che and Hua Caili's bodies touched; they were bound by the same profound light. They looked at each other, their eyes meeting, thousands of words condensed in their gazes, yet for a moment, they couldn't speak.
The Grand Priest stared at the two, his voice shaking the clouds: "Hua Caili of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom, Yun Che of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. The marriage contract personally bestowed by the Abyss Emperor was originally a supreme grace. Yet you two secretly engaged in illicit relations, treating the imperial decree as nothing. This act offends Sen Luo and shows contempt for the Abyss Emperor and the Pure Land. Your crime is unforgivable, and you shall be punished with the Wild Devouring Punishment!"
"Donghuang, carry out the sentence!"
"Wait! Grand Priest, please hear me out."
Meng Kongchan, ignoring everything, rushed forward with a staggering figure despite his Divine Venerable status: "The matter between Jian Yuan and Caili was definitely not a deliberate attempt to break the marriage contract personally bestowed by the Abyss Emperor. There are many hidden circumstances and helpless reasons. When Jian Yuan and Caili first met, he didn't even know she was the Divine Maiden of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. Their subsequent..."
"Dreamless Divine Venerable," the Grand Priest said in a low voice, but his heavy authority directly cut off Meng Kongchan's words. "Considering you are still a Divine Venerable, I will allow you to answer three questions."
Meng Kongchan had no choice but to comply: "Alright."
The Grand Priest asked the first question: "Is there indeed a secret relationship between the two of them?"
Meng Kongchan's lips moved as he struggled to organize his thoughts: "The origin of their feelings was in the Mist Sea..."
"Answer the question!" The Grand Priest's voice grew stern.
"..."
Meng Kongchan sighed inwardly, his voice weakening: "Yes."
The Grand Priest asked the second question: "Have they shared the intimacy between man and woman?"
Meng Kongchan slowly closed his eyes, his voice weakening further: "Yes."
A commotion arose around them, and many glances secretly shifted to the dumbfounded Dian Jiuzhi... Some were mocking, some sympathetic and pitying, some feeling it was undeserved for him.
The Grand Priest asked the third question: "When did you and the Painting Heart Divine Venerable learn of their affair?"
Before the Grand Priest, trying to conceal would only make things worse. He had no choice but to answer truthfully: "Three years ago."
"Hmph!" Dian Luohou sneered, his expression more than just "ugly."
The Grand Priest said solemnly: "In that case, you, as the Divine Venerable of a kingdom, should know how absurd the word 'hidden circumstances' is!"
Meng Kongchan knew the Grand Priest was not wrong. No matter how great the hidden circumstances, they could not change what had already happened, nor could they gloss over the established "wrong" and "crime."
Meng Kongchan turned and faced the Abyss Emperor, his expression pleading: "Abyss Emperor, Kongchan knows that Jian Yuan has committed a grave mistake, but... as his father, due to a moment of negligence, I lost him for a full hundred years. Every time I think of it, I am filled with remorse and pain."
"Now, by the grace of heaven, he has been returned to my side... In just three years, I have not even begun to make up for my myriad of guilt and debt. How can I bear the pain of losing him again?"
"Even if Jian Yuan has extraordinary talent, he is ultimately only in the Divine Lord realm. He simply cannot withstand the Wild Devouring Punishment! Imposing the Wild Devouring Punishment on his body is no different from execution!"
Thud!
He heavily knelt on the ground, his face showing a humble plea that should never appear on a Divine Venerable: "If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. I beg the Abyss Emperor for mercy, allow Kongchan to take Jian Yuan's place and bear double the Wild Devouring Punishment! I beg the Abyss Emperor for mercy. For this life and the next, I will surely repay the imperial grace!"
Bam!!
His head heavily struck the ground, cracking the earth of the Eden Cloud Summit with pale fissures, which then spread with bright red blood.
At this moment, he abandoned all pride and dignity of a Divine Venerable.
His body curled into the most humble posture, his proud head, mixed with the blood of a Divine Venerable, ground into the earth, not lifting for a long time.
"..."
Yun Che slowly breathed in and closed his eyes, his slightly clenched fingers faintly revealing an inappropriate paleness.
"Father... God..." Meng Jianxi called out with a low tremble, tears misting his eyes... He had never seen, nor even imagined, that his father, towering like a mountain, would one day appear so humble.
He stepped forward and heavily knelt behind his father, his head hitting the ground, crying out: "I beg the Abyss Emperor for mercy."
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud...
The sounds of kneeling continued endlessly. In the dazed gazes of the crowd, all the people of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom knelt on both knees and knocked their heads heavily.
"I beg the Abyss Emperor for mercy!"
The cries were ear-piercing and deeply touched the soul.
The varied expressions on people's faces became complex at this moment.
"..."
The anger in Dian Luohou's eyes froze for a moment, but in the end, he turned his head sharply, snorted heavily, and did not look again.
"Sigh." Hua Fuchen sighed faintly.
He did not plead for Hua Caili like Meng Kongchan, even though the Abyss Emperor favored Hua Caili and Hua Qingying held more weight in the Grand Priest's eyes than the seven Divine Venerables.
Because he knew that the Abyss Emperor's order was absolute and could not be broken publicly.
Meng Kongchan must have known this too. And as the Dreamless Divine Venerable, with the most powerful soul among the six kingdoms and seven Divine Venerables, his soul was undoubtedly the most resilient and cold-headed... Yet at this moment, it had collapsed to such an extent.
Without any surprise, the Abyss Emperor did not utter a single word, nor did he even cast a glance.
The Grand Priest spoke coldly: "Meng Kongchan, withdraw everyone within three breaths. Otherwise, the crime will be doubled!"
Meng Kongchan lay prostrate, his body trembling in pain.
Hua Fuchen stepped forward and forcibly pulled him up, sighing: "Since the Abyss Emperor has issued the decree, it cannot be changed. Things have come to this, there is no other way. We can only... leave it to the children. They can no longer afford any more complications."
The last four words woke Meng Kongchan. He could only stand up and say weakly: "Everyone... withdraw."
"Senior."
Yun Che's voice sounded in Meng Kongchan's ear.
Meng Kongchan, Meng Jianxi... Everyone from the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom turned their heads, their gazes trembling as they looked at Yun Che.
His voice was very calm, no different from usual, without any tremor or fear.
"Regardless of the 'hidden circumstances,' the fact remains that we broke the marriage contract personally bestowed by the Abyss Emperor. That is an undeniable crime. Since it is a crime, we should accept this punishment. Caili and I have no regrets or complaints."
He turned his head slightly, his face wearing his usual gentle smile: "Senior, a few days ago, I just thought of a rather fancy soup recipe that can present the soup in a dreamlike, enchanting state. I just haven't had the chance to make it yet."
"After we return, I'll make it for you. I believe you will surely like it."
"..."
Meng Kongchan's lips trembled, and then he laughed, but his smile was full of tears: "Good... the men of my Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom must not break their promises."
Yun Che nodded heavily, then reached out and grasped Hua Caili's cold wrist.
Hua Caili gripped his hand back, pressing her body closer to him... no longer caring where this was or who was around.
"Caili, are you afraid?" Yun Che asked softly.
Hua Caili nodded, then shook her head: "I was so scared just now, but when you're with me, I'm not afraid at all... Thinking that after today, we can be together openly, no longer needing to worry or fear, makes me even less afraid."
In her pure and beautiful world, the gazes, words, and judgments of others meant nothing to her feelings for Yun Che.
They leaned on each other, whispering as if no one else was around... And the crowd truly could not detect any fear in them.
In the distance, Dian Jiuzhi's hollow eyes slightly stirred. Then, a faint smile slowly bloomed, and he muttered absently: "This is what she... looks like when she loves someone..."
"This is what she... most deserves to look like..."
"Donghuang, carry out the sentence!"
The Grand Priest gave the order again... but was interrupted once more.
And this time, it was the Abyss Emperor.
"Huang, you carry out the sentence yourself."
The Donghuang Divine Attendant immediately withdrew his raised hand and stepped back without any hesitation.
The Grand Priest was puzzled but did not ask a single word. He stepped forward, and as he raised his arm, the divine pressure bearing down on Yun Che and Hua Caili was many times more terrifying than that of the Donghuang Divine Attendant.
A gentle breeze suddenly rose, bringing a refined female voice:
"Grand Priest, please hold back for a moment."
This female voice actually made the Grand Priest, who was strict to the point of being ruthless, stop his movement.
The woman wore a plain white robe adorned with a few autumnal plum blossoms, with eyes like autumn water and fair skin. She was elegant and ethereal, difficult to age. She was Su Shang, the close Divine Attendant of the Ling Xian Divine Official.
"Aunt Su Shang..." Hua Caili murmured subconsciously.
"What is it?" the Grand Priest asked solemnly.
Su Shang Divine Attendant gracefully bowed to the Abyss Emperor and the Grand Priest before smilingly saying: "Su Shang has come on behalf of my master to ask the Abyss Emperor for a favor for Yun Che, to exempt or reduce his punishment."
At these words, the Grand Priest frowned deeply. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes full of surprise.
The esteemed Ling Xian Divine Official... pleading for Yun Che!?
Meng Kongchan was the most astonished, and after the shock, there was no doubt a heaven-sent ecstasy.
He bowed deeply and said excitedly: "Meng offers thanks on behalf of his unworthy son Jian Yuan for the Ling Xian Divine Official's great kindness."
"No need to thank me." Su Shang replied calmly and indifferently: "Yun Che has shown kindness to my master, and my master is repaying the favor. It is only proper."
Meng Kongchan forcibly suppressed his excitement. At this moment, he realized it must be the Primordial Flame Crystal!
He hadn't expected that the reminder he gave when arriving at the Pure Land would be executed so quickly by Yun Che, and now yield such a surprising result.
The Grand Priest asked: "What kind of kindness?"
The Four Divine Officials understood each other well, and the Ling Xian Divine Official was the one least likely to ask the Abyss Emperor for a favor.
For Ling Xian to do so, it was no ordinary kindness.
Su Shang was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly: "Since the Grand Priest asks, Su Shang naturally tells everything."
Her answer was brief and direct: "Primordial Flame Crystal."
The doubt in the Grand Priest's eyes immediately turned into understanding.
In a corner of the Eden Cloud Summit, the Dragon Lord's aged dragon body trembled slightly, and a shock that others could not comprehend appeared in his eyes.
The Dragon Chi Xin and Dragon Qian Xin behind him also changed color.
"The Primordial Flame Crystal... has truly reappeared." The Dragon Lord murmured, his heart filled with shock and confusion.
Dragon Chi Xin stepped forward half a step, his voice lowered to a minimum: "Today's matter will surely be spread. If it reaches Long Xi's ears... the consequences are unpredictable."
Dragon Qian Xin frowned deeply, then said: "Dragon Lord, no need to worry. This Primordial Flame Crystal is being used by the Ling Xian Divine Official. Long Xi can't possibly come to the Pure Land to forcefully take it. After this news spreads, it can actually prove that the Primordial Flame Crystal hasn't vanished, making her less likely to quickly become disheartened and leave the Dragon God Clan... In that case, it might actually be a good thing."
The Dragon Lord took a deep breath and said: "What I worry about is that since the Primordial Flame Crystal hasn't vanished, she might actually find one... If that happens, she will have gathered all the so-called Five Spiritual Treasures. Then... her leaving is a small matter. If she discovers she has been deceived, with her temperament... it will become a great calamity for our clan."
"Dragon Lord, rest assured." Dragon Chi Xin frowned and said solemnly: "I will secretly keep an eye on her... I guarantee that even if another Primordial Flame Crystal appears in this world, she will never obtain it."
At that moment, another gust of wind arrived, carrying a rather lazy and weak voice:
"Oh my, oh my, isn't this a coincidence?"
A young man stepped on thin clouds, swaying as he came.
His posture was languid, his voice soft, completely out of place with the solemn atmosphere of the Eden Cloud Summit. Yet he seemed utterly unaware, wearing a cheerful smile. Even with the Abyss Emperor and the Grand Priest present, he did not restrain his extremely rude and casual demeanor.
In the entire Pure Land, besides the Four Divine Officials, there was only one person who dared to behave like this before the Abyss Emperor.
The close Divine Attendant of the Liu Xiao Divine Official, Yuan Ying.
"What are you doing here again?" the Grand Priest said with great displeasure: "Could it be..."
"The Grand Priest's thoughts are correct." Yuan Ying Divine Attendant bowed to the Abyss Emperor from afar: "Yuan Ying has come on behalf of my master to ask the Abyss Emperor for a great favor for Yun Che, begging the Abyss Emperor to consider his youth, ignorance, impetuosity, and... uh, that this is his first offense, and to show leniency in punishment."
This time, everyone present was stunned.
What virtue and ability did Yun Che have to make two Pure Land Divine Officials specially plead for him before the Abyss Emperor in such a short time!?
From ancient times to now, it was likely that even the Divine Venerables of various kingdoms had never received such honor. Meng Kongchan's excitement was beyond measure, and he bowed again: "Meng offers thanks for the Liu Xiao Divine Official's great kindness."
"No need to thank, no need to thank." Yuan Ying Divine Attendant quickly waved his hand: "Being able to repay this kid a favor makes my master happy."
These words left everyone wide-eyed.
Who didn't know that the Liu Xiao Divine Official was the most unconventional and unyielding person in the Pure Land... and indeed in the entire Abyss World.
A Primordial Flame Crystal made the Ling Xian Divine Official owe Yun Che a favor—fine. But what method did he use to make the Liu Xiao Divine Official owe him a favor?
Even the Grand Priest became curious and asked: "What favor does Liu Xiao owe?"
"Well..." Yuan Ying looked troubled and bowed apologetically: "My master said it concerns a treasure of heaven and earth. Even if the Heavenly King asks, it cannot be told."
"Hmph!" The Grand Priest withdrew his gaze, too lazy to ask further.
The Abyss Emperor's orders were absolutely binding on the six great kingdoms. But outside the kingdoms, there were exceptions like the Four Divine Officials.
The joint plea of two Divine Officials was something the Abyss Emperor could absolutely not ignore. He finally responded, looking at Yun Che.
All eyes also focused on Yun Che.
Meng Kongchan's expression had lost its fear, the gloom in Hua Fuchen's eyes had mostly dissipated, and even Hua Qingying's cyan eyes had faded the terrifying coldness from just moments ago.
The Abyss Emperor spoke calmly: "Yun Che, since Ling Xian and Liu Xiao have pleaded for you, I naturally cannot ignore it. Do you have anything to say?"
Yun Che showed gratitude and said solemnly: "I will always remember the great kindness of the two Divine Official seniors. I take the liberty to borrow the grace of the two Divine Official seniors to ask the Abyss Emperor for one favor."
"Speak." The Abyss Emperor's eyes were like an empty abyss; no one could capture any true emotion from his gaze.
At this point, Meng Kongchan let out a heavy sigh of relief... A plea from one Divine Official might only reduce the severity of Yun Che's Wild Devouring Punishment.
But a plea from two Divine Officials was absolutely enough to exempt him from this punishment.
However, given Yun Che's temperament, he would never abandon Hua Caili to escape alone. Therefore, he would surely use the favors of the two Divine Officials to request a reduction... or even outright pardon for both of them.
At this point, there could be no better outcome.
Everyone also thought that Yun Che would now be able to lead Hua Caili away with greatly reduced... or even completely avoided punishment that was originally no different from death.
Yun Che held Hua Caili's hand and gently touched her palm, then slowly released it.
He looked up, facing the Abyss Emperor's gaze, and spoke slowly but forcefully: "I beg the Abyss Emperor for grace: transfer Hua Caili's crime to me alone."
"I am willing to bear double the Wild Devouring Punishment on my own body!"
———