Chapter 1132: Close at Hand

The more intensely one cultivates, the less aware one becomes of the passage of time. It is common for peak powerhouses in the God Realm to seclude themselves for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. Yun Che, confined within the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, was constantly aware of his power changing and growing, completely oblivious to how close the Profound God Convention had become.

Mu Xuanyin had also never reminded him, clearly not wanting him to be distracted.

"Over the past two years, the Four Great King Realms have established dimensional arrays in 900 star realms, all leading directly to the Brahma Heaven God Realm. The closest one is in the Southern Territory of my Snow Song Realm, so there's plenty of time; you needn't worry."

"...Yes." Yun Che's heart rate finally slowed. He had been startled into a cold sweat for nothing.

Nine hundred dimensional arrays connecting the entire Eastern Divine Region directly to the Brahma Heaven God Realm... Given the vastness of the Eastern Divine Region, this was an astonishing undertaking.

This alone showed the Four Great King Realms' emphasis on this Profound God Convention, and its unusual nature.

"You have now completed your breakthrough and are qualified to enter the Brahma Heaven God Realm. You can go either as an invited spectator or as a participant. However, it is now known throughout the world that the preliminary rounds of this Profound God Convention will take place within the Brahma Heaven Pearl. The Brahma Heaven Pearl, as the only supreme profound artifact of the Heavenly Profound in existence, possesses the highest-level power laws in the entire Primal Chaos Dimension. Being able to enter the Brahma Heaven Pearl and bathe in the Brahma Heaven's divine aura will bring immense benefits, which is the main reason why this Profound God Convention has caused countless star realms and profound practitioners to go mad with excitement."

"Now that you've achieved the Divine Tribulation, there's no reason to miss this opportunity."

"Furthermore, our Snow Song Realm is ultimately just a middle-rank star realm. When we reach the Brahma Heaven God Realm, we will only be seated in the lower tiers, with virtually no chance of proactively contacting those at the King Realm level. As a participant, however, the possibility of the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor discovering you is much greater."

"Therefore, this time, you will go to the Brahma Heaven God Realm as a participant with Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanzhi. What happens there will depend on your own destiny. But remember, your matter with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor is far more taboo than you imagine; there must not be the slightest exposure, including everything the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor taught you. Even if you meet, no one else must know."

"If you don't have the fortune to meet, or if she refuses to see you, that would be for the best." Mu Xuanyin's icy gaze shifted: "Remember what you once said: if everything doesn't go as planned, then let go of your obsession and no longer dwell on this matter. As for whether you return to the Blue Pole Star or remain in the Snow Song Realm afterwards, we can discuss that then."

"...Yes." Yun Che nodded.

But before he responded, he hesitated for a full three breaths.

At this moment, Yun Che suddenly realized something from Mu Xuanyin's words and asked in surprise, "Master, your meaning is... are you not going to the Brahma Heaven God Realm with us?"

Mu Xuanyin glanced at him but did not answer. With a light wave of her snowy hand, the barrier of the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake slowly parted. "Go," she said.

As the barrier opened, before Yun Che had even stepped out, he saw a group of people waiting outside, standing neatly and respectfully.

Grand Elder Mu Huanzhi stood at the forefront, with Mu Bingyun at his side. Behind them were eight Ice Phoenix Elders and Ice Phoenix Palace Masters, followed by a crowd of young Ice Phoenix disciples. At a glance, there were probably six to seven hundred people, and judging by their attire, all of them were disciples of the Ice Phoenix Divine Hall.

Each of these Divine Hall disciples exuded an intensely icy aura, and all of them were at the Divine Tribulation Realm.

These individuals were the most elite disciples of the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect of this generation, and also its future.

"Greetings, Sect Master." The moment Mu Xuanyin's figure emerged, all the elders, palace masters, and disciples prostrated themselves, their heads touching the snow. They remained motionless until Mu Xuanyin spoke.

Yun Che's vision blurred for a moment.

He recalled the scene from when he first entered the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, where the Sect Master descended from the sky... The entire sect, from the elders down to the Ice Phoenix Palace disciples, all prostrated themselves as if worshipping a deity.

Over the years, he had constantly been by Mu Xuanyin's side, seeing her daily, listening to her teachings, and sparring with her. Unconsciously, he had somewhat forgotten that his Master was the Snow Song Realm King, a being like a celestial immortal whom no one in the entire realm dared to disrespect, fear, or defy; one whose word could slay ten thousand lives, and whose wrath could destroy thirteen subordinate star realms of the Blazing Heaven God Realm.

Yet, over the past two years, even when he was brought back after committing a grave error, Mu Xuanyin had never once asked him to kneel...

"Rise," Mu Xuanyin said, her divine sense already sweeping over everyone. "Huanzhi, you will lead this trip to the Brahma Heaven God Realm. There's no need to overly strive for victory; just return safely. Any gains would naturally be for the best."

"...Yes." Mu Huanzhi paused, then bowed his head to answer, but immediately looked up sharply. "Sect Master, are you not planning to go to the Brahma Heaven God Realm?"

"This King has her reasons," Mu Xuanyin said without explaining. "Tanzhi, Yunque, Canfeng... these disciples are the cornerstones of our sect's future. Protect their safety well."

After Mu Xuanyin finished instructing the elders and palace masters heading to the Brahma Heaven God Realm, her gaze suddenly turned to Mu Bingyun, her tone becoming three points heavier: "Bingyun, keep a close eye on Yun Che; do not let him cause trouble!"

Yun Che: "..."

Unusual gazes converged on Yun Che simultaneously. There were ten elders and palace masters leading the participating disciples; the other nine were looking after seven hundred disciples, while Mu Bingyun, who was highest in both strength and status... Mu Xuanyin's meaning was clearly for her to fully focus on watching over Yun Che alone!

The subtext was essentially that she could ignore everything else.

"Yes, Sect Master, please rest assured," Mu Bingyun softly nodded.

"Go."

Mu Xuanyin swept her snowy sleeve, and instantly, snow and wind swirled. Everyone was swept high into the air, onto the profound ark that had been hovering there for quite some time.

The profound ark activated, piercing through layers of blizzard and cold wind, flying directly towards the Snow Song Realm's Southern Territory.

Watching the profound ark depart, the iciness in Mu Xuanyin's eyes slowly melted...

"With the Heavenly Wolf Star God's interference, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor will certainly attend the Profound God Convention." After murmuring to herself, Mu Xuanyin softly sighed, "I hope it can be as he wishes."

"Hanyu, Feixue, for this Profound God Convention, achieving a high ranking will depend on the two of you."

Aboard the profound ark, Grand Elder Mu Huanzhi was giving instructions to all the disciples.

Mu Feixue's appearance was unchanged; she still looked like a goddess stepped out of an ice and snow painting, but she seemed even colder. Even a few steps away, one could feel no emotional fluctuations from her, only a chill that pushed people away from a thousand miles.

Mu Hanyu was Mu Huanzhi's personally taught chief disciple and also the one with the highest profound cultivation among all participating disciples; like Mu Feixue, he was at Divine Tribulation Realm Level Eight. However, his age was almost twice that of Mu Feixue, so their talents and future prospects were vastly different.

Mu Feixue offered no response. Mu Hanyu bowed respectfully and solemnly said, "Master, please rest assured, your disciple will go all out and will definitely not bring shame upon the sect."

"However," Mu Huanzhi's expression was somewhat complex, "the Sect Master also just said there's no need to overly strive for victory this time... In short, do your best. This kind of opportunity comes only once in a lifetime; at least don't betray your talent and years of hard work."

"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison.

The other elders and palace masters also had complex expressions, then their gazes all flickered towards Yun Che.

Back then, the Brahma Heaven's Voice had spread to every corner of the Eastern Divine Region, and this undoubtedly extraordinary Profound God Convention stirred the nerves of all star realms. The unprecedented opportunity to enter the Brahma Heaven Pearl was destined to make all star realms spare no effort to send as many disciples as possible to the Profound God Convention.

The Ice Phoenix Divine Sect was no exception. Shortly after the Brahma Heaven's Voice, the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake was, for the first time in history, massively opened to young disciples. This was a personal order from Mu Xuanyin, demonstrating her emphasis on this Profound God Convention.

The Ice Phoenix Divine Sect also urgently began preparations for the Profound God Convention. All elders and palace masters had been certain that, after widely opening the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, Mu Xuanyin would dedicate more of her efforts to the Profound God Convention, possibly even personally guiding the Divine Hall disciples.

What they couldn't understand, however, was that Mu Xuanyin had not dealt with matters concerning the Profound God Convention since then. Especially over the past two years, she had delegated everything to Mu Huanzhi and Mu Bingyun, not even asking a single question about the Profound God Convention, which was of extreme importance to all star realms.

As for the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, it had not been opened to any other disciple since.

What they vaguely knew was that Mu Xuanyin was not in seclusion; instead, she had dedicated all her efforts to Yun Che.

This undoubtedly told them one thing clearly: in Mu Xuanyin's eyes, Yun Che alone was more important than the entire sect's Profound God Convention.

They vividly remembered the scene when Yun Che directly entered a thousand zhang into the Heavenly Lake and overwhelmingly defeated Huo Poyun at the master-apprenticeship ceremony. Yun Che's ice profound talent was unparalleled in the Snow Song Realm, and they had no doubt that he would receive special treatment from Mu Xuanyin; no one found it strange.

Just as Ice Phoenix disciples are divided into four tiers—Divine Hall, Ice Phoenix Palace, Cold Snow Hall, and Falling Snow Palace—the more talented a disciple, the more they naturally deserve better resources and higher treatment. This could be said to be the most basic rule in any plane.

However, Mu Xuanyin's emphasis on Yun Che was truly a bit exaggerated. Coupled with Mu Xuanyin's temperament and her personal disciples over the years, it was almost incomprehensible.

Although no one had ever dared to say so, all the elders and palace masters of the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect thought this, without exception.

"Yun Che, you actually broke through to the Divine Tribulation Realm!" Looking at Yun Che, Mu Huanzhi exclaimed with a face full of amazement, "A month ago, when I mentioned traveling to the Brahma Heaven God Realm to the Sect Master, she said you were about to achieve the Divine Tribulation and would go together. At the time, I still had some doubt, but now it seems I was foolish to question the Sect Master's ability, hahaha."

"Heh heh, there's naturally no need to doubt the Sect Master's ability, and Yun Che's talent is also a major factor." Third Elder Mu Tanzhi also sighed, "Such progress, I'm afraid, doesn't fall far behind the Sect Master herself back then."

Mu Bingyun softly said, "In three years, transitioning from the Sovereign Profound Realm to the Divine Tribulation Realm, the Sect Master herself was far from achieving that back then."

That single sentence caused both Mu Huanzhi and Mu Tanzhi's faces to freeze simultaneously. The other elders and palace masters who heard this also had wavering eyes and continuously trembling hearts.

At their age, the concept of time had long become blurred. They had almost forgotten that when Yun Che first entered the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, his profound strength was only at the Sovereign Profound Realm, not even having stepped into the Divine Dao.

And that was only three short years ago.

Three years to cross the chasm of the Divine Dao and continuously break through three major realms...

"Alas, what a pity," Mu Huanzhi sighed heavily. "This Profound God Convention is too early. If it were delayed by another two or three hundred thousand years, our Snow Song Realm might have another individual who would shake the entire world at the Profound God Convention, just like the Sect Master did back then."

The profound ark was large, and most of the Divine Hall disciples were seated, cultivating with their eyes closed, anticipating the upcoming Profound God Convention. However, their gazes and divine senses would always uncontrollably drift towards Yun Che's direction, filled with surprise, envy, jealousy, and a touch of awe.

Despite being fellow Ice Phoenix disciples, none dared to approach him or strike up a conversation. Among everyone, Yun Che's profound strength was clearly the lowest, yet they felt a world of difference... To accompany the Sect Master daily and be fully cultivated by her, even having her set aside major sect matters—this was a treatment they, as Divine Hall disciples, wouldn't even dare to dream of.

"Feixue, you and Yun Che haven't seen each other for over two years, have you? Before the Profound God Convention, why don't you two... Hey, hey, Feixue!"

Amidst Mu Huanzhi's calls, Mu Feixue's figure gradually moved away, standing on the profound ark's wing, silently bathing in the flying snow.

"This child is becoming more and more like that girl Bingyun," Mu Huanzhi said with an awkward expression.

Yun Che's gaze uncontrollably fell upon Mu Feixue's back, lingering for a long time before slowly moving away.

Little Fairy...

Every time he thought of Chu Yuechan, Yun Che's state of mind would fluctuate for a long time. He went to the side of the profound ark and looked at the boundless pallor of the Snow Song Realm, only then did his emotions slowly calm down.

They would soon arrive at the Brahma Heaven God Realm.

Finally, he could be very, very close to Jasmine.

If he still couldn't see Jasmine this time, would he truly be willing to let go and no longer cling to this obsession?

What did the Golden Crow Divine Spirit mean by saying that if he didn't see Jasmine within five years, he would never see her again in this life?

To see Jasmine, he had left the Blue Pole Star, left his parents, left Caiyi, Lingxi, Yue'er, Ling'er... He hadn't even completed his marriage with Xue'er. Three years had passed, and he had already let them down too much. After this trip to the Brahma Heaven Realm, no matter the outcome, did he really have any reason to stay here anymore?

And Qingyue, where did you go? There's been no news of you. Jasmine said you possess the Ice Snow Glass Heart and are protected by the Heavenly Dao, and I've always believed you are safe... But where are you exactly? Have you returned during these three years I've been away from the Blue Pole Star?

"It seems your heart is not at peace."

A soft voice sounded next to Yun Che's ear. Mu Bingyun had come to his side, her white gown like snowy gauze, her immortal bearing outstanding.

"Palace Master Bingyun," Yun Che quickly turned sideways. "For all these years, I've longed for this day, but now that it's so close, I feel a bit lost."

"It's because you care that you feel this way," Mu Bingyun gently said. "You have done your best; the rest depends on destiny. Whatever the outcome, you should accept it with equanimity. And after all, that person is the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor... I believe your Master must have already explained all the taboos to you."

Yun Che nodded softly, then suddenly asked, "Palace Master Bingyun, Master... why isn't she coming with us to the Brahma Heaven God Realm?"

Mu Bingyun hesitated briefly, then finally said, "Two years ago, when your Master brought you back, did you notice any changes in her strength?"

Yun Che paused slightly, then followed up, "Are you saying..."

Mu Bingyun slowly explained, "Your Master possesses the Ice Phoenix Divine Soul bestowed by the Ice Phoenix Ancestor, and within that divine soul is Ice Phoenix Source Energy. For a human body to integrate divine source energy, even a tiny wisp, requires an extremely long time. Your Master took a full ten thousand years to awaken only thirty percent of it, but after being gravely injured in the Burial God Abyssal Flame Realm, it suddenly awakened to seventy percent, and her profound strength naturally saw a significant increase."

Mu Bingyun's chest rose and fell heavily, and her gaze, as it met Yun Che's, was incredibly complex.

"So, Master is afraid of attracting others' attention?" Yun Che seemed to understand.

Mu Bingyun nodded softly: "At your Master's level, even a tiny bit of progress is as difficult as ascending to heaven. It's perfectly normal for there to be no progress for a thousand years. But your Master's strength has rapidly increased in a short period, which will certainly attract attention and could lead to unnecessary trouble... Especially since it's the Profound God Convention, where all the most terrifying figures in the Eastern Divine Region will be present."

"Your Master is already extremely renowned in the Eastern Divine Region due to her cultivation and appearance, and she also attended the previous Profound God Convention seven hundred years ago. There are already many who harbor ill intentions towards your Master, and with her cultivation having changed so much in just seven hundred years, it would be difficult not to attract attention. Although she is extremely worried about you, she had no choice but to make this decision."

"I see." Yun Che finally understood. When he had asked Mu Xuanyin why her injuries and profound strength had recovered so quickly, she had also told him it was due to divine soul awakening... but only with a simple sentence.

"Then what realm has Master's strength reached? Has her improvement really been that significant?" Yun Che asked.

"...I don't know," Mu Bingyun softly said. "However, for her to be so concerned about you, yet make such a choice, her improvement must be significant, right?"

"Perhaps, even beyond my expectations."

Amidst what seemed like endless flying snow, the profound ark traversed a small portion of the Snow Song Realm and finally landed on a vast snowfield.

This was the Southern Territory of the Snow Song Realm, perpetually silent, with only flying snow. However, in recent months, the snow layers here had been covered by countless footprints.

Most star realms in the God Realm are open, allowing profound practitioners from various star realms, including those from the lower realms, to freely enter and exit. However, existences like King Realms generally do not permit any outsiders to enter—with the exception of the Western Divine Region.