Chapter 1160: Trial

"Brother Yun... Brother Yun?"

As Huo Poyun appeared on the Conferred God Stage, his blood boiled. Mythical figures stood before him, scrutinizing him, and the intensity of his excitement was unparalleled. He had no mind for anything else. Familiar with Yun Che's aura, he only now realized that Yun Che was standing not far to his right, separated by fewer than ten people. Huo Poyun's first reaction, without a doubt, was disbelief.

"Him?" Huo Poyun wasn't the only one who recognized Yun Che. There was also Jun Xilei, who harbored deep hatred for him. She stared at Yun Che, stunned for three breaths: "Impossible... How did he get in?"

"What's going on? How can there be someone only at the Divine Tribulation Realm... Wait, is that him...?" Shui Yingyue's beautiful eyes narrowed as she suddenly recalled where she had seen him before.

"Hehehe." If anyone was completely unsurprised, it was Shui Meiyin, besides Wu Guike. Unlike the others, she had been secretly watching Yun Che from the beginning. Now that he had suddenly become the focus of the entire Conferred God Stage, a radiant light gleamed in her starlit eyes, and a joyful smile graced her young face: "So the Profound God Convention can be this entertaining."

What was coming had finally arrived, and Wu Guike began to feel uneasy.

"Who is that person? What's going on?" "Divine Tribulation Realm... first level?! There's no way he could be one of the 'Heaven Chosen Children'!" "Forget the Heaven Chosen Children, he couldn't even pass the first round of preliminaries!" "Could it be... he used some special method?" "Does that even need asking? Someone actually dared to cheat at the Profound God Convention! And forcibly made it into the top thousand? Isn't that asking for death?!" "How did he do it?" "Whatever method he used, he's definitely doomed!"

The Conferred God Stage buzzed with whispers as people exchanged glances. After discovering Yun Che's anomalous presence, their initial shock and disbelief gradually turned into disdain and pity.

To be among the top thousand at the Profound God Convention was an extraordinary achievement. For a first-level Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner to make it into the top thousand was unbelievable even to a three-year-old. Cheating was one thing—after all, being able to cheat, by whatever means, showed a certain capability. But to cheat one's way into the top thousand of the overall rankings, exposing oneself directly before the Four God Emperors of the Eastern Divine Region and countless Star Realm Kings, was beyond foolish. To call it "asking for death" was an understatement; it was utterly idiotic.

On the eastern stands of the Conferred God Stage, the expressions of the Four God Emperors also darkened. Even the most calm and steady, the Heaven Smiting God Emperor, frowned deeply. Just as he was about to speak, a wild, unrestrained laugh reached his ears.

"Hahahaha, hahahahahahaha..." The Release Heaven God Emperor leaned back, laughing loudly and clapping his hands. "Interesting, so interesting! A mere first-level Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner actually managed to make it into the top thousand of the younger generation in the Eastern Divine Region! This king is truly impressed, hahahaha."

The Release Heaven God Emperor's laughter was undoubtedly a mockery of the Eastern Divine Region, causing the expressions of the Four God Emperors to darken further. If even a first-level Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner could enter the top thousand, it essentially lowered the threshold for the Eastern Divine Region's top thousand to that level. How could they not be ridiculed? If this news spread, it would undoubtedly become a huge joke.

Although the Heaven Smiting God Emperor's expression remained calm, his voice noticeably deepened: "Qu Hui!"

With those two simple words, the entire venue fell silent.

Venerable Qu Hui descended from above the Conferred God Stage, standing before the gathered "Heaven Chosen Children." Without uttering a word, his awe-inspiring presence, seemingly capable of quelling the heavens and earth, caused all profound practitioners to stiffen and become as silent as cicadas in winter. His eyes shifted slightly, and two gazes, sharper than divine swords, fixed directly on Yun Che. An inexplicable chill struck the hearts of the young profound practitioners near Yun Che, who quickly and carefully moved away, creating a large empty space around him.

"You, step out." Qu Hui spoke, his voice exceedingly cold. He released no profound energy, yet an immense pressure, as if a ten-thousand-ton iron slab, descended upon them, causing even these top young experts of the Eastern Divine Region to hold their breath.

What should have been a highly amusing matter, one to gloat over or even feel a sense of satisfaction about, became incredibly tense due to the terrifying renown of Venerable Qu Hui. The feelings toward Yun Che shifted from scorn and animosity to pity. For in the face of Venerable Qu Hui, no matter how noble one's background, even the illegitimate son of a Heavenly King would be doomed.

Without any hesitation, Yun Che stepped forward and stood steadfastly before Venerable Qu Hui, asking no questions. He also stood under the gazes of the Dragon Emperor, the Five God Emperors, and almost all the top experts of the Eastern Divine Region. At that moment, the entire Conferred God Stage became centered around Yun Che... a "distinction" even Luo Changsheng had not achieved.

"What is your name, and where are you from?" Venerable Qu Hui asked, his voice devoid of even a trace of emotion.

"Yun Che, from the lower realms." Yun Che replied calmly.

The four words "from the lower realms" immediately caused a slight stir on the Conferred God Stage, and all eyes changed. In the God Realm, even profound practitioners from the lowest-tier Lower Star Realms looked down upon those from the lower realms, considering them "inferior beings." Even if Yun Che were the son of a high-ranking Realm King, committing such an egregious error in this situation would undoubtedly result in merciless punishment. But if he truly was merely from the lower realms... then there would undoubtedly be no leeway whatsoever.

"Brother Yun..." Huo Poyun swayed on his feet, his body filled with unease, yet he dared not move or speak.

"This... this, what do we do?" Mu Huanzhi's hair stood on end, his anxiety reaching its peak. Yun Che was Mu Xuanyin's direct disciple. If anything happened to him, they would have no way to explain it to Mu Xuanyin upon their return. Moreover, this was not merely Yun Che's problem... it could very well implicate the Snow Song Realm. After all, this was the Profound God Convention, attended by all Four God Emperors, the Dragon Emperor, and the Release Heaven God Emperor!

"This brat... he's usually so smart! Did... did his brain suddenly fill with shit?!" Huo Rulie was also terrified and anxious, stomping his foot and cursing angrily.

"Oh?" From the Star God Realm's seating area, the Heavenly Poison Star God, You'er, who had been idly playing with her fingers and showing no interest in anything, narrowed her eyes. A soft hum escaped her alluring lips.

"What is it?" Beside her, the Heavenly Might Star God, Shen Hu, glanced sideways.

"Nothing, I just suddenly remembered someone." You'er's voice was soft and languid, like a seductive enchantress whispering in one's ear.

"I wonder who is so unlucky and short-lived as to be remembered by a devil like you," said the Heavenly Might Star God, Shen Hu.

"Just a dead person." You'er purred, caressing her slender fingers, which exuded a rich floral scent. "This little brother, who is courting death, not only resembles him but also shares the same name. How amusing."

Venerable Qu Hui's face was stiffer than refined iron, seemingly incapable of showing emotion, yet as he stared directly at Yun Che, a strange glint flickered deep within his pupils.

It wasn't just Venerable Qu Hui; the Dragon Emperor, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, the Heaven Smiting God Emperor, the Star God Emperor, and the Moon God Emperor all showed subtle changes in their gazes. Even the Release Heaven God Emperor, who had been laughing wildly for most of the day, revealed an intrigued expression.

This was because Yun Che was simply too calm. In such a situation, facing a multitude of God Emperors and Realm Kings, with Venerable Qu Hui standing five paces ahead, not only ordinary people but even a Realm King who had committed a grave error would likely be too terrified to stand steady. Yet Yun Che... stood motionless, his expression unruffled, and his aura as still as quiet water. He appeared to be a mere bystander, completely uninvolved... no, he was even calmer than a bystander.

Meanwhile, his gaze continuously drifted... it wasn't the fearful shrinking or trembling of terror, but rather a wandering gaze, as if he were absent-minded.

Yun Che indeed felt no fear; on the contrary, he wished for this very outcome. However, his heart was not as calm as his appearance suggested; at the very least, his heartbeat was in a state of frantic agitation—though not due to the impending punishment. Good... this is excellent... This way, Jasmine will surely see me... Jasmine... where are you... You must be here... Yun Che's gaze and spiritual perception were rapidly searching. The eight years he spent with Jasmine were not just about living together; they shared a "symbiotic existence." He believed that if Jasmine was nearby, he would certainly be able to sense her. All Four King Realms had come to this Profound God Convention... the four god-like auras to the east indicated the locations of the Four King Realms. Among them was the Star God Realm... Yet, he couldn't sense Jasmine's aura. He had been searching for quite some time but still hadn't found her. Did Jasmine not come...? No! There are so many people here, so many chaotic and powerful auras; I must simply not have found her yet. And if she is here, she must have seen me by now. Yun Che's heart yearned deeply, filled with fervent hope.

Meanwhile, high above in the distance, the Brahma Heaven Divine Empress withdrew her gaze, remarking coldly and indifferently: "A meaningless farce. Old Gu, have you found anything?" The grey-robed elder shook his head slightly: "Among those present, and among these thousand 'Heaven Chosen Children,' there is none." "Heaven Chosen Children? Hmph!" She scoffed with extreme disdain. She showed no reaction to this outcome, as she hadn't held much hope to begin with.

"Miss," the grey-robed elder suddenly spoke, "Dangerous individuals are approaching from the east." "Oh?" "It's the Heavenly Slaughter Star God and the Heavenly Wolf Star God," Old Gu slowly replied. "The Heavenly Slaughter Star God harbors intense hatred for you, and given her extreme temperament, she will surely make a move even here in the Heaven Smiting Realm. It would be best to avoid them for now."

The Brahma Heaven Divine Empress remained silent for a moment. "Very well. Staying here is pointless now." But her figure remained still as she suddenly whispered in doubt, "Strange, the Heavenly Wolf Star God is still rather childish, so his presence here is barely understandable. But why would the Heavenly Slaughter Star God be here?"

"Old Gu, you and Fu Xian can leave first. I suddenly want to see if the Heavenly Slaughter Star God has made any decent progress in recent years."

Qianye Ying'er turned her gaze eastward, her aura slowly fading. Her golden hair, as it drifted, shimmered with incredibly brilliant light.

"The Heavenly Slaughter Star God's spiritual perception is extremely keen, Miss. You must be careful." Old Gu did not try to dissuade her, as Qianye Ying'er's decisions were unalterable. With his final warning delivered, his ancient, withered figure flickered, and he, along with the two silver-armored maids, quickly departed into the distance.

At the same time, Qianye Ying'er's figure slowly faded until it completely vanished. Her aura also disappeared. It was a perfect concealment, much like Yun Che's Flickering Shadow under Severed Moon.