# Chapter 2192: Jade Carving
Above the Pure Land, atop Eden Cloud Peak.
Wandao Divine Official stood with one hand behind his back, stepping on clouds as he walked leisurely, his plain robe hanging down in the wind.
His name was Wandao, cultivating all paths, tasting all paths. In his world, there was no reverence or contempt, no good or evil, no stupidity or anger, no sorrow or joy—only what he considered desire or disinterest.
Ahead, a tall figure approached slowly.
This figure was nearly a zhang in height, but the majesty he carried was such that even mountains ten thousand zhang high could not match a fraction of it, causing even Wandao Divine Official to stop in his tracks.
The two faced each other, causing the clouds and flowing wind atop Eden Cloud Peak to freeze completely, as if sealing time and space.
"Wandao," he spoke indifferently, his emotionless voice striking like divine hammers against the soul with every word, causing the dead silent space to tremble, nearly on the verge of shattering: "What brings you here?"
"Of course, I came to see Yuan Huang." Wandao narrowed his old eyes and countered: "And what brings the Great Divine Official here?"
The Great Divine Official did not answer, his voice as heavy as a world-suppressing heavenly bell: "Withdraw then. Yuan Huang has already entered the Nameless Tower."
"...!?" Wandao Divine Official, who rarely showed emotion, revealed deep shock and confusion on his face.
"He has spent three million years painstakingly seeking the door that is now right before his eyes. Why would he enter the Nameless Tower at this moment?"
The Nameless Tower—the pillar supporting the lofty heavens of the Pure Land. It was also the existence Yun Che least understood when he first arrived at the Pure Land.
All four Divine Officials knew that once Yuan Huang set foot in the Nameless Tower, no one could actively find him.
Because it was a forbidden ground exclusive to him alone. Even the Great Divine Official, who was closest to him, had never followed him into the Nameless Tower, nor did he know what lay within, and there was no way to actively enter—not even by transmitting spiritual sense, aura, or sound inside.
It was as if it were another world independent of the Abyss World.
In other words, if Yuan Huang was inside the Nameless Tower, even if the heavens collapsed and the earth split apart, he would absolutely not be disturbed. Thus, every time he entered, it was only for matters of utmost importance.
"I do not know." The Great Divine Official remained expressionless. In truth, he too was surprised by Yuan Huang's action, but he would not investigate, nor should he.
Wandao Divine Official said no more, turned, and prepared to leave.
"Wandao." The Great Divine Official called him back: "You have not answered. What brings you here?"
Wandao glanced sideways and said slowly: "With a great matter approaching, no flaw can be tolerated. So, I came to remind Yuan Huang of a potential destabilizing factor."
The Great Divine Official's face did not change, and he slowly spoke a name: "Shen Wuyi."
Wandao Divine Official smiled faintly: "Indeed, the Great Divine Official would not fail to realize this. It seems that even if Yuan Huang had not entered the Nameless Tower, my trip here would have been unnecessary."
"Exquisite Mystic Realm, Glazed Ice." He murmured, and as a Divine Official, his face actually showed an expression of amazement: "In our era, the Exquisite Mystic Realm was already extremely rare, and Glazed Ice had long gone extinct."
"For both to appear in the same person... unprecedented since ancient times."
"Not to mention the manner in which this woman was born as an anomaly. If, before the great matter is accomplished, she bears the Divine Source of the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom... then a Divine Venerable bearing both an Exquisite Mystic Realm and Glazed Ice might very well have a chance to escape 'control.'"
The Great Divine Official still showed no emotion and countered: "How likely is it that Shen Wuyanyue will pass the Divine Source to Shen Wuyi before 'that'?"
"Zero."
Wandao's answer did not require even a moment's thought.
"Among the current seven Divine Venerables, Shen Wuyanyue is the least likely to cede her Divine Source. She might not actively pass it on until her lifespan ends and she dies. After all, her current dignity is propped up on the title of 'Wu Ming Divine Venerable.' With her extremely selfish and distorted temperament, how could she give up the Divine Source while alive?"
The Great Divine Official said: "So, your worry does not exist. Forcibly eliminating her would drive Shen Wuyanyue to madness, creating more variables."
Wandao Divine Official said instead: "I believe that a hidden danger that has not been triggered is still a hidden danger. Better to eliminate it."
The Great Divine Official remained silent.
"Forget it." Wandao Divine Official turned and said indifferently: "Yuan Huang is not here. Our dispute cannot be arbitrated. Consider that I was never here."
Without another word, Wandao Divine Official drifted away.
Just as he was about to leap off Eden Cloud Peak, he suddenly stopped and said casually: "Tell me, what do you think is the likelihood of us ascending to the Eternal Pure Land together?"
The Great Divine Official's gaze turned several degrees colder, and the space around them instantly transformed into a frozen hell of Yin cold: "That is not a question for you or me to ponder."
"Hahahaha!"
Wandao Divine Official laughed loudly. The laughter was unrestrained, yet strangely devoid of any emotion or warmth.
"I suppose so."
He tilted his body and fell from Eden Cloud Peak, vanishing into the vast sea of clouds in an instant.
---
When Yun Che stepped out of the cultivation space, his face was slightly pale, and his steps carried a hint of unsteadiness.
"Young master!" Meng Zhiyuan, who had been waiting outside all along, quickly approached and carefully supported him: "Are you... alright?"
In just a few words, this usually most lively and unrestrained girl was already misty-eyed, on the verge of tears.
"Of course I'm fine." Yun Che said nonchalantly: "It's just some Dragon Marrow and Dragon Soul extraction. There will always be a period of unresponsiveness. It will pass soon enough."
"But..." Meng Zhiyuan lowered her head, forcibly suppressing the urge to curse that dragon clan's young master... after all, everything was her young master's own choice.
"I need a few days to rest and recover." Yun Che smiled faintly, the curve of his lips very gentle, carrying a soft reassurance: "Just in time, I can finish the jade carving."
"Alright!" Meng Zhiyuan quickly nodded: "This maidservant will go prepare immediately."
In the library, a place Yun Che rarely visited, clear staccato sounds echoed through the silence.
Yun Che sat before a wide writing desk, holding a palm-sized silver jade tablet in one hand, while the fingertip of his other hand condensed profound energy, slowly and carefully carving on the jade tablet.
Meng Zhiyuan stepped lightly as she entered, set down the tea and snacks she carried, and prepared to turn and leave when she secretly cast a glance at Yun Che... She had only intended to sneak a look, but the moment her gaze touched his focused eyes and the faint curve of his lips, she was stunned, unable to look away for a long time.
Yun Che lifted his eyes, their gazes meeting: "Zhiyuan, is something the matter?"
"Ah..."
Meng Zhiyuan let out a startled cry, her heart pounding like a startled deer. But instead of withdrawing her gaze, she spoke in her usual presumptuous, coquettish tone: "Young master, could this maidservant take a look at your jade carving? I, He Lu, and Zhan Yi have been guessing these past few days... something that would require such care from the young master must be for the Heaven-Breaking Divine Maiden, right?"
Yun Che laughed: "If you want to see, then look."
"Hehe, then this maidservant won't stand on ceremony."
Meng Zhiyuan almost bounced over to Yun Che's side. As she leaned in, her fragrant long hair brushed against Yun Che's shoulder, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.
When she saw the jade tablet in Yun Che's hand clearly, she let out a surprised "Eh".
"This is... the Divine Venerable?"
The profound energy at his fingertip stopped carving. Yun Che teased: "You sound disappointed?"
"Of... uh, no, no." Meng Zhiyuan quickly denied: "I thought... Ah, I know!"
She suddenly thought of something and understood: "So, the young master is preparing a birthday gift for the Divine Venerable."
Yun Che did not deny it: "Divine Venerable senior is of noble status and broad experience. I considered many luxurious items, but in the end, I felt that only something poured with sincerity and heart could slightly express my gratitude and respect towards him."
"The Divine Venerable dotes on the young master so much. He will love whatever the young master gives him."
Meng Zhiyuan looked carefully, then turned her gaze to another unfinished figure on the jade carving: "And this person, is that the young master himself?"
Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly, a warm smile on his face: "It is Meng Jianyuan."
"Right, the young master is Meng... Oh!" In an instant, Meng Zhiyuan realized something, blinking: "I understand. The young master has always felt guilty about not being able to recover his memories, unable to acknowledge the name and identity of 'Meng Jianyuan', and unable to wholeheartedly call the Divine Venerable 'father god'."
"So, this jade carving of the young master's is a gift offered in the identity of 'Meng Jianyuan', which he himself cannot recall, while also expressing his own feelings and guilt."
Yun Che turned his gaze and looked deeply at the girl beside him, sighing softly: "Zhiyuan, you are truly unparalleled in intelligence. What you just said matches my thoughts completely."
The girl's lively eyes were like a still pool of water illuminated by moonlight, clearly reflecting his face... and also highlighting the darkness in his heart with perfect clarity.
"Thank you for the compliment, young master." Meng Zhiyuan smiled happily, her jade-like cheeks silently flushing with rosy color. Then she softly read the two lines of text clearly newly carved at the bottom of the jade tablet:
"Dreams see the abyss, life shall tower over heaven."
These eight characters were widely known in the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom—it was precisely the meaning behind Meng Kongchan naming the Weaving Dream Divine Son "Meng Jianyuan".
"Gazing into the abyss, praying to heaven, blessing father with eternal peace."
Meng Zhiyuan's smile bloomed: "When the Divine Venerable sees this character 'father', he will surely be overjoyed. His laughter might even reach beyond the realm."
"But... 'gazing into the abyss, praying to heaven'—why 'gazing into the abyss'?"
Gazing into the abyss... naturally because Meng Jianyuan was already dead, forever left in the deathless abyss.
This jade carving was his birthday gift on behalf of the departed Meng Jianyuan to his father god.
Yun Che concealed the strange light in his eyes, and explained with a smile: "We dwell in the world of the Abyss. The phrase 'gazing into the abyss' refers to looking out over all things in heaven and earth, praying for blessings and peace for father."
"I see!"
For Meng Zhiyuan, naturally, whatever the young master said was correct. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliant color: "The young master's feelings, I believe, all things in heaven and earth in our Abyss World can clearly perceive."
Yun Che smiled without speaking, his fingers unconsciously touching the jade carving, landing on the character "father"—the simplest, yet the one he had spent the longest time carving.
"Zhiyuan..." He suddenly said: "Go tell Zhan Yi, He Lu, and the others—you three will have three months of free leave. You can go back to visit your parents and family, or go wherever else you wish. There's no need to serve here anymore."
The girl's breath caught in an instant. Her ever-vibrant face showed a momentary look of terrified pallor, as if she had suddenly received some unbearable shock.
Yun Che sighed inwardly but could only explain helplessly: "Because for the next few months, I should be in the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom."
The look of shock instantly faded. Meng Zhiyuan raised her hand and patted her chest repeatedly, letting out a long relieved breath, then firmly refused: "We know this is the young master's favor, but absolutely not. It's better to go back for regular leave as before. If we really went back for three months, the parents and clansmen of the three of us would probably be scared to death."
"Oh? Why?"
Meng Zhiyuan explained seriously: "The young master is too exalted, so many things are beyond your sight. For example—Zhan Yi is a princess of the Northern Liuming Realm's royal family. She was originally sent as tribute, and becoming a maidservant to an ordinary imperial prince was already the greatest fortune."
"And after becoming a maidservant close to the young master, the entire Liuming Realm was shaken. Her mother, originally just a low-ranking consort, now has a status that nearly surpasses the empress."
"Later, rumors spread outside that the three of us had all been favored by the young master and served night after night, and might even bear the young master's offspring... Hehe, the Liuming Realm's annual tribute was reduced by three-tenths. The surrounding powers that once had conflicts now take the initiative to show goodwill and dare not offend."
Her lips curved upward—the arc held no shyness, no vanity, just a unique ethereal quality of a maiden, and a natural pride in her young master.
"He Lu's mother clan is only a mid-tier force in the Nine Kui Domain, originally unqualified to send maidservants to the divine kingdom. But He Lu was chosen for her beauty and came to the young master's side. Now, He Lu's mother clan is practically the uncrowned king of the Nine Kui Domain. Even the Nine Kui Domain Lord has to bow and be courteous when meeting her parents."
"As for me, there's no need to say much. I was already quite famous in the Eastern City lineage. After coming to the young master's side, my fame grew so much... I heard that my great-grandfather even opened a separate page for me in the clan genealogy, hehe..."
As she spoke, she couldn't help covering her lips and laughing, a sweet, girlish sound dissolving silently in the quiet air of the library.
"So, if we suddenly went back and stayed too long, rumors would surely spread that we were cruelly abandoned by the young master. Our parents would probably, before the next day, anxiously drive us back."
Yun Che shook his head and smiled, seeming helpless: "Alright, then do as you wish."
It was not without reason that he told them to leave for three months.
But... to them, to anyone, no one could be sure which choice would ultimately lead to the best—or most desired—outcome.
He lowered his eyes, once again gathering profound energy at his fingertip, continuing to carve the jade tablet.
Meng Zhiyuan, who had not been "driven away", quietly accompanied him at his side. Her beautiful eyes followed the slowly carved patterns, and somehow drifted to his profile, unable to look away.
---
Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, Divine Venerable's Pavilion.
"Yuan'er."
From a great distance, Meng Kongchan had already sensed Yun Che's faintly unsteady aura. He put aside his matters early on, watching as Yun Che approached respectfully. Without asking about the dragon clan matter, without sighing whether it was worth it, he smiled and said: "It seems you have fulfilled a wish. Very good."
After Yun Che paid his respects, he stated his purpose directly: "After parting with Hua Caili at the Pure Land last time, I promised her I would visit her in Zhe Tian within three months. Now that three months are almost up, I was thinking..."
"Oh, hahaha!" Meng Kongchan laughed knowingly: "So that's it. Indeed, you made a promise of three months. You should go! I'll have people prepare gifts right away. Nothing less for Caili, and also for Hua Fuchen and Qing... uh, your aunt's. None can be lacking."
Yun Che lifted his eyes and said respectfully: "This junior has come not merely to report my itinerary, but to ask... if the senior would be willing to accompany me."
The Eternal Pure Land was approaching, and Meng Kongchan was currently entangled with countless matters, making it hard for him to leave. He was just about to reluctantly decline when he suddenly caught a trace of silent expectation in Yun Che's eyes—one that emerged and then was quickly hidden.
The words that were about to leave his mouth could no longer be spoken. His Yuan'er had returned for several years but had never actively made a request of him... And this was the first time he had seen anticipation directed at himself in his eyes.
Meng Kongchan laughed. He casually tossed aside the object in his hand, stood up, and his smile became extraordinarily cheerful: "I'll go, of course I'll go. It just so happens that I have quite a few things to discuss with Caili's father."
Yun Che showed gratitude, bowed again, and said: "Thank you, Divine Venerable senior, for granting this. With the senior by my side, this junior will have no unease on this journey."
"Between father and son, there's no need for such formalities." Meng Kongchan waved his hand grandly: "Speaking of which, the only things in this world that can make you 'uneasy' are probably matters concerning that girl Caili, hahaha."
As he spoke, he broke into laughter. Perhaps he laughed too freely, forgetting restraint, the sound carrying far into the nine Dream Halls, causing the nine Dream Lords to raise their heads and wonder what tremendous joy had caused the Divine Venerable to lose his composure so.
They did not know that the laughter contained nothing more than the delight of a father being needed by his son for the first time.
Walking out of the Dreamless Divine Venerable's hall, Yun Che's steps were slow. He raised his head to gaze at the distant sky.
The realm-protecting barrier cast an ever-fading silver glow over the gray clouds of the sky, peaceful as always.
No one could see the nightmare clouds of darkness that had been quietly accumulating beneath the calm surface for some time.
He stopped in his tracks, slowly closing his eyes. A thousand emotions churned disorderly in his heart.
Zhe Tian...
You gave me my "beloved" in the Abyss World.
Weaving Dream...
You gave me my "closest kin" in the Abyss World.
But all I can give you...
Is nothing but the most brutal, darkest funeral song.
No reincarnation in this world, no next life.
This sin, this guilt—after my homeland is safe, let the myriad heavenly punishments fall upon me alone.
He opened his eyes, hiding all darkness.
He took another step forward, walking ahead.
No regret, no sorrow, no forward... and no return.
---
[↑ Don't be scared by the above text. What follows is all sugar, the very cloying kind.]
[Don't know what comes after the sugar...]