Chapter 2190: Wangchu's Dead End
Since Long Wangchu was born until now, this was the first time he had set foot in the territory of a Divine Kingdom.
It was not that the Dragon Lord was unwilling or unable, but rather that he truly had no face to bring this fellow before the Divine Kingdoms and embarrass himself.
Within the Divine Kingdom's territory, there was almost no Abyss Dust. Every wisp of breath here seemed to carry soul-infusing immortal dew to Long Wangchu, making even his breathing become somewhat cautious.
Led all the way to the Divine Son Hall, he witnessed the grandeur of the Divine Kingdom. The jumping of his eyeballs and the rolling of his throat hardly ceased. Standing before the Divine Son Hall, as the doors opened, his eyes unconsciously widened and took a long time to close.
The ancient mural carvings flowing with strange, faint light clearly released the aura of several types of exotic Abyss Crystals, most of which he couldn't even identify. In his clan, only superior dragon descendants were qualified to receive pure Abyss Crystals, yet here, they were merely stepping stones laid beneath one's feet, extending across the entire view.
Looking up, layer upon layer of sumptuous curtains engraved with Weaving Dream Kingdom patterns either hung down or drifted atop the high pavilion ceilings, the largest being a full hundred zhang in size. And the Mysterious Jade Silk needed to weave these curtains was all too familiar to him...
Because within the Dragon Clan, only his young master's garments were worthy of such luxurious material.
Long Wangchu's head involuntarily shrank a bit, and his hand awkwardly gripped the sleeve at his fingertips.
The Dragon Clan... even the entire Ancestral Dragon Mountain Range could barely see a shred of green wood, yet here it was surrounded by emerald greenery, adorned with various luxurious exotic flowers. One attendant after another walked among them, all dressed in splendid attire with outstanding bearing.
As the Young Master of the Dragon Clan, he undoubtedly enjoyed the best resources of the entire clan. Although he knew of the Divine Kingdom's prosperity, he had never imagined that the gap between the Dragon Clan and the Divine Kingdom, and between him and the Dreamweaving Divine Son, could be so enormous.
It was completely like two different realms of existence.
Behind him, Long Qianxin stood with a straight back and unchanged expression, but inwardly he was sighing repeatedly.
"Senior Dragon Attendant, Brother Wangchu, two honored guests have come from afar, you must be tired from the journey."
A clear voice sounded as Yun Che strode over, wearing an exceptionally warm smile. Wherever he passed, attendants and guards all stopped and bowed, greeting him respectfully, with humility that also carried heartfelt reverence... because when they bowed, there was not a trace of unease or fear on their faces, only smiles that needed no restraint.
Only then did Long Wangchu pull his gaze away from the various heart-shaking, dazzling sights and look at the approaching Yun Che... but this time, the look in his eyes toward Yun Che had drastically changed.
Under the excessively strong cognitive shock, he could no longer remember the etiquette that Long Zhiming had repeatedly drilled into him. Instinctively, he stepped forward, bent his waist deeply, raised his hands in salute, and at the same time, tugged at the corners of his mouth to show a smile that he ought to present.
But he smiled too hard, so hard that the lines at the corners of his eyes were squeezed into folds of flattery, so hard that on that face which should have displayed the dignity of the Dragon Clan's Young Master, there appeared instead a posture of debasement filled with panic and sycophancy.
"Pay... pay respects... to the Abyss Divine Son."
Long Qianxin, who had forcibly composed himself throughout the journey, had a moment of quite violent twitching at the corner of his eye.
The majestic Young Master of the Dragon Clan, meeting a peer, actually uttered the words 'pay respects'. Add to that his almost 'disgraceful' appearance, if the Dragon Lord were here, he would probably be so angry that he'd spurt a mouthful of blood on the spot.
Yun Che seemed slightly stunned for a moment, then restored his smile: "Brother Wangchu is an honored guest from afar, there is absolutely no need for such a grand salute. Although I am a person of Weaving Dream, I also half belong to the Dragon Clan. I am very pleased by Brother Wangchu's visit; please do not be constrained, make yourself at home."
As he spoke, a stream of profound energy gently lifted his arm.
Long Wangchu naturally also noticed his own awkwardness. He put his hands down accordingly, then somewhat hastily adjusted his expression, but his back was still slightly hunched, and his expression still carried a humbleness rooted deep in his heart that couldn't be concealed: "Abyss Divine Son is too kind... hehe... too kind."
Behind Yun Che, Meng Zhiyuan silently lowered her head, using almost all her willpower to suppress the urge to roll her eyes.
Long Qianxin's chest heaved, then he stepped forward and gave a slight salute: "Abyss Divine Son, for this intrusion, I am most apprehensive."
Yun Che smiled: "Senior Dragon Attendant, what are you saying? Brother Wangchu being able to come is actually helping me fulfill my master's last wish, how could it be an intrusion? Please, Senior and Brother Wangchu, move to the guest hall, let me fulfill my duties as host."
Long Qianxin said: "I appreciate the Abyss Divine Son's generous intent. But this time, I am only here to escort; now that Wangchu is by the Abyss Divine Son's side, I should return as soon as possible to report and reassure the Dragon Lord."
With these words, before Yun Che could speak words of retention, Long Qianxin presented his hands, and with a flash of profound light, a huge pale bone casket appeared, in which dozens of Dragon Clan treasures with various lights intertwined with an extremely dense dragon aura.
"These are some modest gifts prepared by the Dragon Lord himself. Our Dragon Clan's resources are scarce, so these are probably not even worth the Abyss Divine Son's notice, but they are only to express the gratitude of the Dragon Clan from top to bottom. I hope the Abyss Divine Son will not disdain them."
Yun Che's gaze swept over them, then he reached out and lightly took a soft armor covered in dragon scales, praising: "The aura is ancient, yet it still contains hidden majesty. It must be the dragon scale left by some powerful ancestral dragon predecessor. I will accept this gift, and it can be considered that I have fully accepted the Dragon Clan's goodwill. This is enough; if there were more, it might harm my friendship with the Dragon Clan."
His eyes and smile were extremely clean, without the slightest hint of contempt due to Long Wangchu's disgraceful behavior. His words and actions were most sincere, without any condescension that would come from bestowing a favor.
Long Qianxin sighed inwardly, and didn't insist further. He withdrew the other gifts, bowed again: "Then everything will follow the Abyss Divine Son's wishes. I will return to report now. I entrust Wangchu to the Abyss Divine Son's care."
"Please inform the Dragon Lord that in at least a month, at most half a year, Brother Wangchu will surely be reborn anew." Yun Che smiled. "In the name of the son of Dreamless Divine Venerable, I guarantee Brother Wangchu will come to no harm."
Long Qianxin smiled faintly: "Even if our Dragon Clan cannot trust ourselves, we will not distrust the Abyss Divine Son and the vast Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom."
"Farewell!"
Long Qianxin left, departing decisively and hurriedly, as if afraid that if he stayed even a bit longer, his own old face would be dragged down to the ground along with Long Wangchu's.
Leaving the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, he turned to look back, letting out a long sigh in his heart... Long Wangchu acted arrogantly and fearlessly in the Dragon Clan. But standing together with Yun Che, whether in bearing, words, actions, or manners, it was entirely a difference between heaven and earth, clouds and mud.
"Brother Wangchu, please."
Yun Che turned sideways and raised his hand, his smile warm like a breeze brushing over spring water without stirring any ripples... but no one could see the terrifying undercurrent hidden beneath that smile.
"Uh... Abyss Divine Son, you first."
Long Wangchu was trying hard to recall the etiquette the Dragon Lord had instructed, but his dragon spine remained half-bent, as if pressed down by some invisible force, forgetting how to straighten.
"Hahaha!" Yun Che laughed heartily. "I've heard that Brother Wangchu rarely leaves the Dragon Clan; it seems that's really the case. This is my private hall, Brother Wangchu need not be constrained at all... Well then, Brother Wangchu, follow me."
"Alright." Long Wangchu nodded, trying to show a smile that was accommodating but not lacking in Dragon Clan integrity: "Having just arrived at the Divine Kingdom, I am indeed a little unaccustomed. I hope the Abyss Divine Son... will not laugh at me."
Yun Che nodded slightly and led the way forward.
Long Wangchu lightened his steps and followed behind, unconsciously restraining his aura, afraid of causing offense. He turned his gaze slightly, looking at Meng Zhiyuan walking alongside. When his eyes touched her charming, flawless profile, he was momentarily stunned, unable to look away for a long time.
Meng Zhiyuan kept her eyes straight ahead with a faint smile on her face, but her jade-like fingers were already slightly clenched. She was calculating in her heart whether to invade his dragon soul and make him fall flat on his face right then and there...
Forget it, better not cause trouble for the young master.
Arriving at the guest hall, Yun Che stopped and turned around: "Brother Wangchu has traveled far and must be weary; you should rest a while. I will immediately order a banquet prepared. If Brother Wangchu has any needs, please do not hesitate to mention them. Above all, don't be polite."
Long Wangchu felt greatly flattered, but he thankfully didn't forget the main purpose. He quickly said: "No, no, Abyss Divine Son need not go to such trouble. Before leaving, that old... uh, my father repeatedly instructed that the only thing to do on this journey is to concentrate on receiving the Abyss Divine Son's bestowed dragon bones and marrow. Apart from that, I must not cause any trouble for the Abyss Divine Son."
Yun Che nodded slightly, showing a contemplative expression, and after a moment said: "I very much understand the Dragon Lord's concern and urgency. However, once the transfer and inheritance of the dragon marrow and soul begins, perhaps for several months, Brother Wangchu will have to remain within the profound array and cannot leave even for an instant."
"I know that, I know." Long Wangchu quickly said. The constant sense of inferiority that enveloped him undoubtedly made him uneasy all over. He said cautiously: "If the Abyss Divine Son has no pressing matters at the moment, could we... could we just..."
Yun Che showed a helpless expression, then nodded: "In that case... very well."
"Zhiyuan, close the hall doors. No outsiders today."
Meng Zhiyuan watched as Yun Che led Long Wangchu into the cultivation space. The moment the barrier completely sealed, she could no longer hold back and let out an extremely angry and unwilling low cry: "The young master is willing to damage himself just to help such a piece of trash?"
"What Dragon Clan Young Master? He can't even compare to one of the young master's little toes... I'm so angry! I'm so angry!!"
"This is after all the young master's decision. Don't be angry." Shangguan Helu comforted softly... although she too was filled with indignation.
"But I'm still angry! Even if the young master himself said it, I'm still angry!" Meng Zhiyuan stomped her foot heavily. After a while, she muttered quietly: "I'm afraid that in this world, only the young master would be this foolish, this kind-hearted."
In the space completely isolated from the outside world, with the barrier personally set by Meng Kongchan, not a single ray of light or wisp of aura could escape.
Yun Che's footsteps stopped. He looked at the empty space ahead... a crack on the verge of losing control appeared in his calm expression, but in an instant it was restored as before.
Behind him, Long Wangchu was already so excited that his hands and feet trembled, because Long Zhiming had clearly told him that the dragon marrow and dragon soul that Yun Che carried were so powerful that even the Dragon Lord himself was shocked and terrified. Completing the inheritance would definitely allow him to be reborn completely.
In the future, there was even a great possibility of surpassing him and once again touching the Dragon God realm that the Dragon Clan had long lost.
"Abyss Divine Son, I am ready, we can begin at any time..."
Amidst his excitement and eagerness, he didn't forget to flatter: "I really trouble the Abyss Divine Son."
"It seems Brother Wangchu is truly impatient." Yun Che's eyes slowly narrowed, and his smile took on a hint of inscrutable meaning: "Coincidentally, so am I."
He raised his hand, and with a flash of crimson light, a small profound array appeared before them, swirling with faint crimson divine light.
"Brother Wangchu, please." Yun Che moved aside.
Long Wangchu's throat rolled violently. His eyes blazed as he stared at the strange profound array before him, as if gazing upon a door of fate that would completely rewrite his life.
Such a strange crimson profound light, he had never seen in his life. From it, he vaguely detected an aura of space, but it was vastly different from the space divine power he knew.
Mysterious and unfathomable, combined with a strangeness beyond his cognition, it did not raise any suspicion in him; instead, it made the agitation in his heart surge even more.
He took a deep breath, forcibly steadied his mind, and stepped into the crimson profound array with a relatively composed demeanor.
And truly, he stepped into a "door of fate".
The crimson light flickered faintly, and the dimension suddenly shifted. Before Long Wangchu could make any reaction, the world before him had already turned gray and dark.
Thick Abyss Dust surged from all around like a nightmare, covering his body and spiritual senses like layers of heavy, inescapable mire.
His pupils dilated, and he was shocked out of his wits, as if suddenly falling into a nightmare: "Th-this... this is..."
The corner of his eye caught Yun Che's figure in the gray world. He turned around sharply in terror and cried out: "Wh-what happened? Where is this? Why does it look so much like... the... Mist... Sea..."
His voice, sharp with fright at first, gradually weakened, until finally it faded away completely.
The shock in his pupils did not quickly dissipate upon seeing Yun Che; instead, it grew larger as they contracted.
In his sight, Yun Che was staring fixedly at him, still smiling. But accompanying this smile was a kind of unspeakably sinister cold, piercing to the bone as if seeping from the bottom of an endless abyss of death.
This terrifying chill invaded his dragon pupils, then went straight into his body and soul, causing all the blood in his body to freeze solid in an instant.
"You..."
Long Wangchu's lips quivered violently, but he only managed to shout one word before he could no longer make a sound. His throat felt as if it were being strangled by an invisible, icy demon hand reaching out from Yun Che's eyes.
No more need for disguise, no more need for forbearance and suppression. The surging hatred wildly tore at every string of Yun Che's soul. The blood in his body ran out of control, and his hanging hands trembled uncontrollably.
The fully unleashed resentment was so intense that even Li Suo felt a soul-invading icy cold, let alone Long Wangchu.
Yun Che's mouth slowly curled into a grin. His pupils, stained with hatred into abyss color, reflected Long Wangchu's ghastly pale face. Finally, his parted lips uttered a slow voice:
"Long... Wang... Chu..."
"Wel... come... to... hell!"
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