Chapter 2183: Ancestral Dragon Domain
The mist sea stretched endlessly, filled with the ceaseless cries of the abyss.
Yun Che sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep concentration. After a long period of gathering his thoughts, he slowly released his spiritual sense. Using the ubiquitous abyss dust as a medium, it extended straight into the depths of the mist sea, flowing over every abyssal beast he encountered without missing a single one.
This place was already the edge of the deep mist sea, a dangerous area for Yun Che in his current state. Not only did it harbor abyssal beasts at the late-stage Divine Annihilation Realm, but occasionally a Divine Extreme Realm abyssal beast would appear—an existence he could not approach. Attempting to forcefully control one would be no different from risking his life.
And the location where he had sensed the Primordial Flame Crystal last time was roughly in this area.
One day... two days... three days...
After fifteen days, his eyes suddenly flew open, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
Finally found it.
Even more fortunate, it was an early-stage Divine Annihilation Realm abyssal beast, within the scope of what he could fully control.
He did not move his body. His soul power remotely guided the abyss dust, plunging straight into that abyssal beast’s body.
The abyssal beast immediately stopped its original action and sped at full speed toward his location. It arrived before him and then stood quietly, like a loyal contracted profound beast awaiting orders.
Yun Che raised his hand toward its spine. As the gray abyss dust rolled slowly, within moments, a crimson abyss crystal appeared between his fingers—exactly the Primordial Flame Crystal that Yun Xi longed for.
Yun Xi, his daughter with Shen Xi, was a tremendous surprise that had appeared in this world. Even if he bore the burden of the world, she was a concern he could never truly cast aside.
Before everything exploded, at least he should give her some stability and comfort... even if it was only a hasty gesture.
───
The Eternal Pure Land was close at hand—a matter of great change in the destiny of the Abyss Realm. Yet Meng Kongchan’s divine soul was not frequently stirred by it. On the contrary, his state of mind was far more peaceful than before. Even each time he settled into meditation was several times faster than in the past.
Because compared to the approaching Eternal Pure Land, the recovery of Meng Jianyuan gave him a joy far too great. The perfect divine rank that Meng Jianyuan had awakened later in life, and his astonishing brilliance on the Pure Land, brought him honor and satisfaction he had never experienced before. It made him sigh with laughter that having such a son left no regrets even in death.
The only regret and worry was the rupture of his bond with Dian Luohou.
“Junior Yun Che pays respects to the Venerable Lord.”
Meng Kongchan opened his eyes. His face, which should have been imposing and awe-inspiring, instantly broke into a beaming smile: “Yuan’er, I heard you casually gave that Eternal Night Divine Maiden a hard time?”
“Uh... yes.” Yun Che replied, “It just happened that she had a request, and I acted impulsively. I traded a major favor for a moment of relief. I do regret it somewhat afterward. Please don’t laugh at me, Venerable Lord.”
“Hahaha!” Meng Kongchan laughed out loud instead. “If you didn’t act impulsively, wouldn’t that be a waste of youthful recklessness? A favor from such an evil place as the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom is not worth keeping. Being able to give Yuan’er a moment of relief is worth more than anything.”
“I also learned just a few days ago, when communicating with Hua Fuchen via sound transmission, that the heavy sword left by your master was lost in the Death Abyss of the Divine Sleep Forbidden Domain because of that Eternal Night Divine Maiden. Hmph!” He seemed still angry. “Had I known earlier, when we left the Pure Land, the one I taught a lesson would not have been just that Shen Wuyan Ye!”
The corner of Yun Che’s mouth twitched slightly. He quickly said, “Venerable Lord overstates it. A mere junior from Eternal Night is not worthy of your condescension to act. Moreover, Hua Cairui has already used the favor bestowed by the Abyss Emperor to obtain a suitable heavy sword for me from the Ten Thousand Dao Divine Pavilion.”
“I know. Its name is ‘Gu Yun’.” Meng Kongchan’s voice paused briefly, then he sighed softly. A deep, hidden shame appeared in his eyes. “As the Divine Venerable of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, I am destined not to give you too much time, and I am destined not to become a qualified father.”
“You have been back for three years, yet you still haven’t remembered the past, still can’t truly integrate into Weaving Dream or accept the former name ‘Meng Jianyuan’. That’s why the name ‘Gu Yun’ touches your soul so deeply. The sword’s name is like yourself: like a cloud shadow in the vast sky, isolated in a foreign world... All of this is because of my mistake back then.”
Yun Che: “...”
“But there’s still time. Let’s not talk about this.” Meng Kongchan suppressed his melancholy and guilt, smiling as he said, “You came here today. Surely it’s not just to pay respects?”
Yun Che answered honestly, “There is one more matter that requires your permission... I wish to leave Weaving Dream for a few days to visit the Dragon Clan.”
“Oh?” Meng Kongchan’s gaze moved slightly. “Could it be related to that Long Jiang from that day?”
Undoubtedly, although he never showed himself and never interfered, nothing that happened within the Weaving Dream Domain could escape Meng Kongchan’s ears—especially matters concerning Meng Jianyuan.
“Yes!” Yun Che responded without any hesitation. “On the Pure Land, the Dragon Lord sensed the dragon aura on my body and warmly invited me. He even gave me a jade token that allows free passage through the Dragon Clan’s barrier.”
“As for Long Jiang, that is also one of the important reasons. Back when I was wandering outside, she and I saved each other’s lives. That ‘Coiling Dragon Seven Xuan Crystal’ was her gift to settle the debt of life-saving grace. But the life she saved for me has never had a chance to be repaid, and it has always weighed on my heart.”
“There is one more reason.” Yun Che’s breath was steady, his mind calm, without any false appearance. “My master was once on good terms with the Dragon Clan. The dragon aura on me also comes from the ancient dragon remains bestowed by my master. Therefore, before my master passed away, he repeatedly instructed that after entering the world, I should be friendly with the Dragon Clan and not hesitate to help. If the Dragon Clan is in trouble, I must go all out to save them.”
“Thus, this visit to the Dragon Clan is first to respond to their invitation; second, to repay past kindness; and third, to fulfill my master’s wish.”
With this said, coupled with Meng Kongchan’s excessive doting on Yun Che, naturally he could not refuse.
“Hmm... In terms of emotion, reason, and filial piety, this trip is indeed necessary.” He slowly nodded, pondered briefly, then said, “Since you returned, this is your first independent long journey... Let Chaoyang escort you.”
Yun Che showed surprise and refused, “Hall Master Chaoyang’s status is so high; how can we trouble him? This trip will not enter the mist sea or approach dangerous places. Having Shouyuan by my side is enough.”
Meng Kongchan, however, resolutely raised his hand. “Yuan’er, whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, as long as there is no danger, you can follow your wishes. But when it comes to your safety, there is absolutely no room for negotiation.”
He tilted his head back slightly and let out a long breath. “The joy of recovery is like dust settling to reveal splendor, like encountering light on a cold night. As the Divine Venerable of a nation, I should fear nothing in heaven and earth, but I absolutely dare not contemplate, even for half a moment, the loss after having gained.”
His voice seemed to carry the lingering pain of a hundred years.
Yun Che’s heart was touched irresistibly. He could no longer insist and could only lower his gaze. “Very well. Then I will follow your arrangement in everything.”
───
Yun Che left the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom alone, without any attendants.
Only Meng Chaoyang guarded from afar.
As the master of the Second Dream Hall of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, Meng Chaoyang’s status was extremely lofty. This was also the first time in his life he had taken on the duty of a bodyguard.
But no one found it unusual. Even he himself felt it was appropriate.
After all, he was guarding Meng Jianyuan—the only perfect divine rank in the history of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom; the unparalleled genius who, on the Pure Land, defeated the Divine Annihilation Realm with the power of a Divine Lord; the true Divine Son who made Meng Jianxi submit sincerely in just three years... Even if one more Hall Master were added to escort him, no one would find it improper.
“I remember you once agreed to go with Hua Cairui.” Li Suo reminded him. “Now, it seems you have no such intention.”
Yun Che said, “That was indeed my thought at the time. But now... I’m afraid Xi’er is getting anxious waiting.”
“Is this... creating an additional complication?” Li Suo asked.
“It is and it isn’t.” Yun Che said calmly. “After all, the Dragon Clan is trapped by their heritage and self-preservation, never contending with outsiders. The Dragon Lord’s mention of Xi’er was all about valuing and protecting her. There, she is in the safest place. This trip of mine will also elevate her status within the Dragon Clan as much as possible—without involving risks or touching on the grudges and interests of the various kingdoms. Naturally, it can hardly be called an additional complication.”
“Let her and the Dragon Clan stay out of this storm until the end.”
Because of Yun Xi’s existence, all his plans excluded the Dragon Clan.
More precisely, he kept as far away from the Dragon Clan as possible.
He never dared to forget the heavy mission on his shoulders, but in the end, he could not truly let go of his identity as “father.”
Yun Che stood on a small profound ark, looking straight ahead, moving at a leisurely pace. Occasionally, he exchanged words with Meng Chaoyang. Unknowingly, they passed through layers of dust, crossed many living lands, and witnessed the myriad forms of the Abyss Realm.
───
The mountain ranges stretched across the ages, spanning thousands of miles without end in sight. Gray clouds and mist stacked across heaven and earth.
This place was the Dragon Clan’s habitat, also their self-imprisoned land—the Ancestral Dragon Mountain Range.
As far as the eye could see, peaks stacked like coiled dragons and crouching tigers, vast and majestic, blocking out the sky and sun. Such a boundless magnificent scene had only occasionally appeared in the Tai Chu Divine Realm. But vast as it was, there was no flow of spiritual charm, no thriving forests and myriad beasts. Only endless dust and mist drifted faintly, swirling around heaven and earth, casting a heavy, deathly silence over the immense mountain range that had not dissipated for eons.
“We’ve arrived.”
Yun Che looked down from the sky, unable to suppress a sigh in his heart. The Dragon Clan, as the inherently strongest race, were absolute rulers in their homeland. But in this Abyss Realm filled with abyss dust, they could only eke out a miserable existence in this sheltered place.
“Are you nervous?” Li Suo asked.
“A little.” Yun Che did not deny it.
“...” Li Suo seemed lost in thought. After a long while, she murmured softly, “The emotions of living beings are truly subtle. The affection between man and woman is like this, and so is blood kinship. Even knowing they are obstacles and attachments, one cannot use reason to cut them off.”
Yun Che raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile, “Back then, you were the most benevolent Creation God and the least likely person to say such things. Now, forced to follow me as the villain of this world, though the outcome of this world is not yet clear, you’ve already been corrupted quite a bit.”
“...” Li Suo was silent.
“By the way...” Yun Che suddenly thought of something and said half-seriously, “If one day you find another vessel you can temporarily inhabit, one that allows you to become whole and free faster, would you rationally choose to leave me immediately, or... continue wading through this muddy water with me that is sure to splash with sin and blood?”
Li Suo did not ponder. Her soft, dreamlike voice was as flat as usual: “I have never thought about it.”
Yun Che said, “Then you can think about it now.”
But Li Suo did not sink into contemplation. Instead, she said slowly, “I only want to watch you walk step by step until the end. As for the other possibilities you mentioned, I have never thought about them and do not wish to.”
“...” Yun Che said no more.
She did not answer yes or no, but inexplicably, Yun Che felt a hint of unusual emotion in his heart.
Yun Che’s figure swooped down. His gaze pierced through layers of gray mist until a massive barrier appeared in his perception, flickering with faint light among the thousands of cliffs and ravines, emitting a dragon aura that was ancient and heavy, and also faintly carried some sorrow.
Coming close to the Ancestral Dragon Barrier, Yun Che took out the pale dragon jade and touched it against the barrier.
Immediately, the Ancestral Dragon Barrier silently parted like water. Yun Che flew inside, and Meng Chaoyang also flickered and entered the barrier in an instant. The Ancestral Dragon Barrier then closed behind them.
As soon as he entered the barrier, the brightness and darkness of the world immediately shifted. A dense dragon aura permeated heaven and earth, and smoke rose from the ravines. The dragon blood and dragon soul within Yun Che were stirred for a long time.
But the Dragon Clan’s isolation barrier was ultimately inferior to that of a divine kingdom. Within the thick, almost tangible dragon aura, thin abyss dust still floated. In silence, it endlessly and tirelessly corroded and destroyed.
The sudden emergence of an alien aura undoubtedly triggered the alertness of the Dragon Clan guards. Two dragon auras locked onto Yun Che’s presence simultaneously, followed by a sharp voice: “Who dares trespass into the Dragon...”
The sharp voice stopped abruptly. Because the two Dragon Clan guards who had teleported in front of him simultaneously saw the pale dragon jade in Yun Che’s hand, and their expressions changed.
Yun Che raised the pale dragon jade and said calmly, “Please inform the Dragon Lord, Yun Che of Weaving Dream has come to visit.”
After the Pure Land gathering, who in the world did not know the names of Yun Che and Meng Jianyuan?
Their already changed expressions became even more colorful. They were stunned for a long moment before hurriedly bowing: “So... so it is the Abyss Divine Son himself who has graced us with his presence. Please wait a moment. This one will go and report at once.”
Just over two months ago, the Dragon Lord had personally instructed that if Meng Jianyuan of Weaving Dream ever came to call, there was no need for formal introduction; he himself would welcome him.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, a thundering rumble suddenly came from a distant mountain peak.
Then a sound like a thunderbolt breaking through the air arrived urgently, dragging a long, distorted ripple through space.
Across the vast distance, Long Zhiming saw Yun Che at a glance. His ancient, withered face instantly bloomed. He rapidly retracted his form and landed before Yun Che, laughing heartily, “I thought I was still in a strange dream, but it is indeed the Abyss Divine Son himself. No wonder the dragon veins in these mountains have been shining and the dark sky blushing with clouds lately—it turns out a distinguished guest was coming.”
Yun Che bowed slowly. “Junior Yun Che pays respects to Dragon Lord. This trip was a sudden decision; I did not send a visiting card beforehand. I hope you will not blame me, Venerable Lord. Your personal welcome makes me feel extremely honored.”
“Ah, what are you saying, Abyss Divine Son?” Long Zhiming’s smile deepened. “Although the Abyss Divine Son is a junior, you have the bearing of a heavenly being. Your presence here is truly the glory of my Dragon Clan.”
“Dragon Lord flatters me greatly. I am also half a member of the Dragon Clan, and I have received this precious dragon jade from you. How could I not come?”
The old and the young exchanged pleasantries for a while. The Dragon Lord’s words were so warm that the side-attending Dragon Clan guards were stunned.
Then Long Zhiming cast a glance at Meng Chaoyang, who stood silently behind: “So it is Hall Master Chaoyang. Just now I was so excited at the sudden sight of the Abyss Divine Son that I almost slighted another distinguished guest.”
Meng Chaoyang, however, stood with hands clasped behind his back, saying indifferently, “My duty on this trip is to protect the Abyss Divine Son. Dragon Lord may ignore me.”
“Hehe, Hall Master Chaoyang’s presence is naturally among the most honored of guests. How could I slight you in the slightest? Please, both of you come in.”
As he turned, he sent an urgent voice transmission: “Quick! Summon Wangchu to the main hall immediately!”
The Ancestral Dragon Divine Hall was located at the base of the highest mountain in the Ancestral Dragon Mountain Range. The hall was a thousand zhang tall, its layered domes reaching into the clouds.
Pale dragon patterns swirled throughout the hall, crisscrossing and flowing endlessly, casting a heavy, ancient dragon radiance, as if praying for the Dragon Clan’s heritage to continue without end, vast and eternal.
This was the Dragon Clan’s supreme place, also the place with the densest dragon aura. Even a demigod entering here would be awed by the dragon might, unable to suppress trembling in body and soul, stumbling with missteps.
As he stepped inside, Long Zhiming secretly glanced at Yun Che. He saw him strolling leisurely, his demeanor at ease, casually observing the surrounding wonders, without even the slightest hint of alarm. Long Zhiming’s marvel at Yun Che grew even greater, and even his smile deepened.
After they sat down, Yun Che got straight to the point: “My visit today is first to respond to the Dragon Lord’s invitation.”
Long Zhiming smiled and nodded.
“Second, I wish to see Long Xi to repay a past kindness.”
Upon hearing the words “Long Xi,” a hint of awkwardness flashed in Long Zhiming’s eyes, but it passed in a fleeting moment. His light smile remained unchanged.
“Third...”
Boom... boom! Thud!
A jumble of sounds suddenly came from outside the hall, like someone kicking things at random. An extremely impatient voice also rang out at this moment: “Hey! Old bastard, what do you want me for?”
The smile on Long Zhiming’s face completely vanished. His loose, withered flesh trembled. He smiled at Yun Che and Meng Chaoyang with half apology, half embarrassment, then his face abruptly turned fierce, and he shouted, “Wangchu! Get in here!”
Amid the angry shout, a figure staggered in. He had the tall, slender build typical of the Dragon Clan, but his posture was extremely rude and slovenly. His eyes, which should have been full of dragon might, carried little brilliance, more filled with a degraded murkiness.
Long Wangchu—the only son of Dragon Lord Long Zhiming, the sole direct heir of the Ancestral Dragon bloodline.
“Whatever it is, say it quickly!” He directly leaned sideways against the hall’s door, not even glancing toward Yun Che’s direction, and showed not a bit of respect or manners toward his father, the supreme Dragon Lord. “You’re always spouting a bunch of different crap every day. Finish quickly so I can get the hell out.”
Before a distinguished guest, such a disgraceful display was no different from tearing his face off in public. Long Zhiming suppressed his anger and growled, “Shut up! Get in here and greet the Abyss Divine Son of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom!”
Long Wangchu’s expression stiffened, and his body snapped straight.
He finally opened his eyes wide to look at Yun Che. Then panic, shame, fear, and excitement all mixed chaotically across his features. Then, as if waking from a dream, he adjusted his demeanor and quickly walked before Yun Che, bowing deeply:
“So it is... it is the Abyss Divine Son of Weaving Dream. I am Long Wangchu. Just now I did not know a distinguished guest had arrived and acted rashly. I hope the Abyss Divine Son will not hold it against me.”
His bow was very low, his voice trembling slightly, carrying a bit of fawning—after all, before him stood a Divine Son of a divine kingdom.
His sudden display of perfect etiquette did not bring Long Zhiming any relief. Instead, he turned his face away, letting out a long sigh in his heart.
The great hall fell into sudden silence.
Long Wangchu, still bowing, held his tense posture for a long time without receiving a response from Yun Che. He lifted his head cautiously and suddenly met a pair of eyes like pitch-black night.
These eyes were staring straight at him, unblinking. Also black pupils, but in his gaze, they were terrifyingly dark, like a bottomless dead abyss, an endless night of doom.
And those pupils seemed to be endlessly dilating and contracting.
Long Wangchu’s vision inexplicably blurred, then suddenly became hazy. In the haze, he faintly saw something crimson gathering, red like blood.
Until it was as profound as a bloody purgatory drained a thousand times dry, then condensed into a single purgatory blood crystal.
───