Chapter 2176: Unexpected Visitor
Eternal Night Divine Kingdom.
Dark mist shrouded the sky, cold winds swept the ground, and even the wind and dew were stained with bone-piercing gloom.
Ever since Shen Wuyanye returned from the Pure Land in disgrace, the entire Eternal Night Divine Kingdom had been shrouded in an extremely terrifying atmosphere. Especially the already dark and gloomy main city of the divine kingdom, which seemed to have suddenly sunk into an even more sinister and dreadful deep haze. Every inch of existing space, every wisp of moving aura, made people tremble and choke.
Given Shen Wuyanye's terrifying nature, she could erupt in rage for no reason and commit murder without cause. It was easy to imagine how the humiliation suffered in the Pure Land would stir the venomous fury within her twisted soul sea to a terrifying extent.
Nearly two months had passed since her return from the Pure Land, yet the gloom enveloping the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom showed no signs of fading. The dim sky still occasionally echoed with the screams of the Wuming Divine Venerable—screams devoid of any divine dignity but more terrifying than billions of desperate vengeful spirits—causing the bound beings in the shadows to tremble and shrink.
Before the Eternal Night Divine Hall, the Eternal Night maidens forced to serve nearby were all tensed, their faces pale, their auras condensed as if dead, not even daring to move a hair.
And today, an aura finally approached actively, and with considerable urgency.
Shen Wumingque crossed through layers of thick, tangible, and terrifying ominous energy, kneeling in reverence at the foot of the hall steps. Her voice was extremely low but carried an undeniable urgency: "Wumingque seeks an audience with Your Excellency. There is grave news..."
"Scram!!"
In response came a piercing scream sharp enough to cut through the heart. The Eternal Night maidens serving before the hall all swayed, their already pale faces instantly turning even whiter. One of them even had a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her lips, yet she remained rigid, not daring to make any move to wipe it away.
"Scram out!"
A single angry roar suddenly exploded from the depths of the divine hall, like thunder splitting the sky, carrying a world-destroying ferocity that slammed heavily into Shen Wumingque. The Eternal Night maidens standing outside the hall all staggered, their already pale jade faces instantly losing all color. One of them, unable to withstand the pressure, had a wisp of crimson seeping from her lips, yet she still stood frozen, lacking even the courage to raise a hand to wipe away the bloodstain.
After the ferocious sound came a venomous order venting brutality: "Scram and pass the order: break the limbs of all male slaves, and do not allow them to heal for a hundred days! Anyone who dares to disobey, strangle them into fertilizer and leave no remains!!"
Shen Wumingque's throat tightened. She dared not admonish, nor did she leave. Instead, she spoke quickly: "Wumingque accepts the order. Wumingque came here to report a grave matter: the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal has appeared."
She spoke rapidly, getting straight to the point. Otherwise, she feared she would never have another chance to speak, and if Shen Wuyanye learned of this later, she would only place the blame on her.
The sinister, angry haze roiling within the divine hall suddenly froze. Then came Shen Wuyanye's hoarse voice: "You... what did you say?"
Her voice carried too obvious an excitement, even a trembling that was hard to suppress... completely overpowering her previous anger and madness.
Shen Wumingque quickly composed herself and said, "This matter concerns... Your Excellency's great affairs. How would Wumingque dare to speak even half a false word?"
"To avoid any mistake, Wumingque has personally traveled far and concealed her aura to observe closely. This recently appeared aberrant abyss crystal is about two feet long, its color like black ink condensed into crystal, its shape resembling an enraged coiled dragon, and it has seven different apertures embedded in its body. The aura it releases is undoubtedly draconic aura, and this draconic aura is not only dense but extremely peculiar—Wumingque has seen nothing like it in her life."
"These all perfectly match the description in the 'Secret Scripture': 'Several feet long, shaped like a coiled dragon, color like ink, body with seven apertures.' Especially its special draconic aura, which definitely does not belong to any dragon of the present age. Even if one tried to imitate it, it would be absolutely impossible."
"Moreover, the one who obtained this crystal does not know what it is, nor its name. He is now secretly investigating its secrets, which is how it became known to the various nations."
At this point, even the Eternal Night maidens at the side could clearly perceive Shen Wuyanye's heavy and several times more disordered breathing.
As the person closest to Shen Wuyanye, Shen Wumingque deeply understood what the appearance of the "Panlong Seven Profound Crystal" meant to her.
"Where... is... it... now..."
Shen Wuyanye's tone had completely changed, hoarse and indistinct, almost inaudible.
Shen Wumingque took a deep breath: "The place where it appeared... is rather unfavorable. It is... the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom."
Bang!
The sound of an uncontrolled explosive burst came from within the hall. Though it did not touch her, it still made Shen Wumingque's body lurch violently.
As the Wuming Divine Venerable, the humiliation she had suffered came from Meng Kongchan. Her hatred for Meng Kongchan and the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom was as deep as a bottomless abyss. Just hearing the name would make her sea of hatred overflow.
But to make matters worse...
Shen Wumingque bowed her head deeply and continued: "This Panlong Seven Profound Crystal is currently in the hands of the Weaving Dream Divine Son, Meng Jianxi. However, he does not know its name or its use, and currently calls it a 'dragon-shaped profound crystal.' He has been sending people to search various places for any possible records or uses. If he remains fruitless for long, he might involve the Pure Land... then unpredictable variables might arise."
"Then what are you waiting for!" Shen Wuyanye's voice suddenly turned irritable: "Hurry and get it! Do you want me to do it myself!?"
"Wumingque would never dare, but..." Shen Wumingque weighed her words repeatedly, speaking with utmost caution: "But our Eternal Night and Weaving Dream have just had a falling out. This is precisely the most unfavorable time to approach each other. If Eternal Night makes the move, it will be difficult to achieve the desired result. Even if we succeed, the cost will likely be far greater."
"Therefore, Wumingque suggests temporarily borrowing the power of an old friend from another nation..."
"Bastard!!"
Before Shen Wumingque could finish, she was cut off by Shen Wuyanye's terrifying roar: "Since you know the Secret Scripture, you should know how important the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal is to me! How can it be passed through others' hands!"
"Old friend from another nation?" Shen Wuyanye's every word was bone-chilling: "Wumingque, it seems you still harbor disloyal intentions outside Eternal Night!?"
"No, no, Wumingque would never dare!" Shen Wumingque's face instantly lost all color as she bowed deeply: "Wumingque's life and heart are both in Eternal Night, both devoted to Your Excellency, without a single trace of disloyalty. Wumingque was too eager to obtain the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal, so I spoke recklessly. I beg Your Excellency to forgive me."
"Wumingque will immediately go to Weaving Dream in person to retrieve the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal for Your Excellency."
"Hmph!" The soul-shaking voice of the Wuming Divine Venerable descended upon Shen Wumingque's head: "Listen, I will give you only ten days! No matter what means, no matter the cost, you must bring the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal back unharmed! Remember, no matter what means!"
"Even if it means kneeling and peeling off all the skin and flesh from your face!"
No matter how resentful or mad Shen Wuyanye was, she would not fail to understand that since the "Panlong Seven Profound Crystal" was in the hands of the Weaving Dream Divine Son, obtaining it meant facing the entire Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom... it could not be taken by force.
Eternal Night had nearly pushed Meng Jianyuan to the brink of death, and Weaving Dream in turn had inflicted a great humiliation on Eternal Night... Under these circumstances, the price Eternal Night would have to pay to obtain this "Panlong Seven Profound Crystal" from Weaving Dream could be imagined.
But no price could ever outweigh Shen Wuyanye's desire, which was entwined with endless obsession and distortion.
"Yes, Wumingque will not fail in her mission."
Shen Wumingque dared not say another word. She rose and stepped back, about to leave, but with a slight clench of her teeth, she bowed again and said, "Your Excellency, Wumingque has one more word."
"Speak!" Shen Wuyanye did not stop her.
Shen Wumingque's chest heaved, her words respectful and clear: "Wumingque has served Eternal Night all her life, weathered the years, strictly followed the rules, and disciplined herself. I have never believed in so-called fate or blessings. The world says that those with a 'glass heart' have a pure heart, a translucent soul, and a life blessed by the Heavenly Dao. I also dismissed it as a fallacy and never believed."
"But... since Wuyi came to Eternal Night and accompanied Your Excellency, her heart's purity and her feelings' sincerity have completely transcended the word 'loyalty.' As long as it was good for Your Excellency's desires, she repeatedly disregarded even her own life. All her thoughts were Your Excellency's thoughts, all her wishes were Your Excellency's wishes, all her direction was what Your Excellency pointed... Her heart and mind, as felt by Your Excellency, must be far more than ours."
"That scripture from ancient times, hidden in the Mist Sea, was also found after Wuyi arrived. Among the six types of profound crystals recorded in it that can defy fate, three had not been found in thirty thousand years, and for two, there had never even been any records. But in just a little over a decade, Liuyao Quenching Heart Jade, Ming Soul Stone, and Obsidian Exorcism Crystal were all successfully obtained."
"The never-before-seen Abyss Heart Vine was found by Wuyi in the Divine Sleep Forbidden Domain. And in less than two months since then, the Panlong Seven Profound Crystal is already within reach... So smoothly, even the word 'miracle' is insufficient to describe it. Thus, Wumingque no longer dares to disbelieve in the existence of 'Heaven's blessing.'"
"And such Heaven's blessing is all because of Wuyi's arrival, and because of Wuyi's heart and soul's prayers."
Unexpectedly, and even strangely, Shen Wuyanye never interrupted Shen Wumingque's lengthy speech.
Shen Wumingque bowed deeply: "Wumingque is now firmly convinced that as long as Wuyi is by Your Excellency's side, all that Your Excellency seeks will come to pass. The future of Eternal Night will surely... surpass Your Excellency's expectations."
She risked saying these words with a very clear purpose... hoping Shen Wuyanye would treat Shen Wuyi well.
After a brief, suffocating silence, Shen Wuyanye's grim voice sounded again: "If you cannot retrieve the 'Panlong Seven Profound Crystal,' you know the consequences... Scram!"
"Yes! Wumingque takes her leave."
Shen Wumingque stepped back and left. As she turned, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
...
Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, Divine Son Hall.
Yun Che sat cross-legged on the ground, flames dancing between his fingers. Crimson flames lightly flickered, and faint, indistinct phoenix shadows flew and vanished within the firelight, singing out chapters of pleasant, heart-soothing music...
Sometimes, the phoenix's cry was clear and flowing, like a tender confession, soft and gentle; sometimes, the phoenix shadows shattered and reformed, like a cold spring washing stones, cleansing all delusions; sometimes, the firelight abruptly contracted then swelled, like broken jade falling on a plate, the lingering warmth searing the heart...
Shangguan Helu, Liu Zhanyi, and Meng Zhiyuan stood silently by the side, hairpins gently swaying at their temples. Their beautiful eyes were filled with the crimson firelight, their hearts and souls already intoxicated, lost in who knows where.
Only when Yun Che closed his fingers and the firelight slowly died with the phoenix shadows did they barely come back to their senses, yet their eyes remained hazy as if in a dream, half-awake, half-asleep.
Meng Zhiyuan slowly parted her lips and softly murmured, almost in her sleep: "Young Master's attainment in music theory is also so divine... In this world, how could there be a person like Young Master..."
Yun Che raised his eyes, a warm, gentle smile on his lips: "This is not the common music of the world, but a unique profound sound played by the Vermilion Bird Flame. It can expel evil, cleanse defilement, calm the heart, and soothe the soul. That's why it feels so pleasant to the ear. It's not really my attainment in music theory."
Liu Zhanyi pursed her lips and smiled, her brows curved: "Even as a Divine Son, you remain warm and humble. In this world, there is still only Young Master."
Shangguan Helu nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing.
Yun Che shook his head and smiled... In his soul sea, Li Suo's voice suddenly rang out: "The Vermilion Bird sound you just played—did you mix in the soul power of the Weaving Dream Divine Scripture?"
Caught out by Li Suo, Yun Che was not at all surprised. The smile at the corner of his lips deepened a little: "Unexpectedly, they can merge. Isn't that amazing?"
"More than unexpected." Li Suo's voice carried a complex solemnity: "As one of the Three Divine Flames, the Vermilion Bird Flame is a sacred flame. Its fire and sound are supremely pure and holy, allowing no impurity or contamination. Yet you were able to... blend in the Weaving Dream divine power..."
Her voice gradually softened: "Is this also a power bestowed by the Primordial God..."
If the sacred sound meant to calm the soul silently integrated the soul sound of Weaving Dream, wouldn't it be possible to easily make people fall into dreams amidst a comfortable soul-calm...
Yun Che said casually: "You said that the Vermilion Bird Flame allows no impurity or contamination, so I only attempted it at the most superficial level. Perhaps this is already the limit, and I cannot go any further."
Li Suo remained silent for a long time.
Meng Zhiyuan stepped forward, her slightly blushing face carrying three parts of apprehension and seven parts of longing: "Young Master, Zhiyuan wants to make a very presumptuous request. When Young Master is free, could you... often play it for us?"
The hierarchy within divine kingdoms was extremely strict and oppressive. No one's close attendants would dare to say such "insubordinate" words, let alone to a Divine Son... Yun Che was probably the sole exception in the entire Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. Similarly, what he received was far more than just loyalty.
Meeting the three girls' bright gazes, Yun Che responded without the slightest hesitation: "The Vermilion Bird Flame is called the 'Redemption Flame.' Although it burns in my body, it should belong to all living beings in this world. If you want to hear it, I am always willing. If one day I can freely control it and play it for all beings in the world, then I will not have failed the gift bestowed by Lingxian Divine Official."
As his words fell, a faint laugh came from above, followed by a refined male voice: "If Lingxian heard these words, she would surely be extremely gratified."
The three women's expressions changed drastically, and they shouted in unison: "Who! How dare you trespass into the Divine Son Hall!"
Their gazes followed the sound, and floating less than ten zhang above them was a man dressed in a plain white robe. He was so close, yet the three women could not perceive even the slightest trace of his aura. Even his face seemed shrouded in an unpenetrable white mist, making his features completely unreadable.
What terrified them even more was that this person had approached this close, yet neither Meng Shouyuan, guarding close by, nor Lu Laisheng, guarding from afar, had any reaction.
Yun Che stood up, the faint smile still on his lips: "You may withdraw. What happened today and today's guest need not be mentioned to anyone outside the hall."
The three women withdrew, and the space was left with no one else.
The white-clad man slowly descended, the mist on his face dissipating, revealing a countenance as if carved by a divine chisel, handsome and worldly. His brows and eyes were clear and refined, his aura otherworldly, carrying a solitude and majesty that spanned eons, enough to dim heaven and earth and make all things bow.
Yuan Huang Mo Su.
The two faced each other again, no longer with the respect and probing of their first meeting. Yun Che looked him up and down, then said with a smile: "Brother, as the esteemed Yuan Huang, you have personally descended to my humble dwelling. I assume there is some heaven-shaking matter to entrust?"
The corners of Mo Su's mouth twitched slightly. Though still a bit stiff, it was clearly a heartfelt smile: "Actually, there is nothing. I just wanted to find someone to talk to."
"Oh?" Yun Che widened his eyes slightly in exaggerated surprise, as if unable to believe it.
Mo Su sat down very casually in front of Yun Che, sighing: "I... once thought that these three million years had long made me accustomed to solitude. But since meeting and recognizing you on the Pure Land, I seem to have found another aspect of life. In just these two short months, I have felt the urge to speak a dozen times."
"Hahaha!" Yun Che laughed and sat down cross-legged as well: "Indeed, even the supreme Yuan Huang of the Abyss, the only deity in the eyes of the world, can harbor mortal thoughts."
Mo Su raised his eyes, speaking quietly: "If I could exchange this entire body for a hundred breaths of mortal life, I would not hesitate for a moment. Unfortunately... I have no right to yearn for such an extravagant fantasy."
"So," Yun Che looked at him, "what did Big Brother want to say to me?"
Mo Su shook his head: "I don't know."
The corners of Yun Che's lips moved slightly, and he suddenly said: "Then... how about talking about you and Pan Xiaodie?"
The sudden taboo name made Mo Su's aura abruptly freeze.
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