Chapter 1167: The Thirty-Two Sons of Deification (Part 1)

Yun Che’s words were light and casual, yet clear enough for everyone to hear. However, everyone on the Conferred God Stage seemed suddenly enchanted, remaining utterly silent—save for the crisp sounds of jaws dropping.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!!" Divine Emperor Shitian clapped his hands repeatedly, shouting "excellent" three times, his eyes shining with a strange light. "What a boy! This kind of Shadow Veiling Divine Skill has truly opened my eyes! Just for this splendid Shadow Veiling Divine Skill, my journey to the Eastern Divine Region has been well worth it!""It's a pity you're from the Eastern Divine Region. If you had been born in the Southern Divine Region, I would have snatched you as a disciple, even if it meant fighting for you, hahahaha!"Divine Emperor Shitian burst into loud laughter, his words like thunder.

The phrases "opened my eyes" and "snatched as a disciple," uttered by the second-ranked Divine Emperor of the Southern Divine Region, carried immense weight. Furthermore, considering Exalted One Quhuo had previously insulted Yun Che's master, these words from Divine Emperor Shitian were more than just a slap in the face for Exalted One Quhuo.

They also clearly saw that not only the various Realm Kings but also the five Divine Emperors, Star Gods, Moon Gods, and Guardians on the eastern seats were all visibly astonished.

"Shadow Veiling... a divine skill?""Isn't that a legendary divine movement technique? Can someone really master it? And a young man... only at the Divine Tribulation Realm?""It's recorded, but no one has ever been known to cultivate it. Could it be some kind of... illusion?""Divine Emperor Shitian himself said it; how could it be false?""This young man... seems far from as simple as he looks?""Does this... count as cheating? Will he actually... come first like this? No... that can't be, can it?"

When Yun Che, with his profound strength at Divine Tribulation Realm Level 1, passed two rounds of preliminaries and stood on the Conferred God Stage, people were surprised, but mostly found it laughable. This time, Yun Che still took an "unorthodox path," at least one that completely deviated from the original intention of the assessment, and he completed it entirely under their watchful eyes. But what they felt was not scorn or amusement, but a long-lasting, unquellable shock.

"What, are you going to say I cheated again?" Seeing Exalted One Quhuo's rigid expression, Yun Che chuckled softly, speaking in a voice only the Exalted One could hear: "The only rule is to be the first to reach the three-hundredth floor; there are no other rules. You yourself declared this. Could it be that Exalted One Quhuo, hailed as the most just and strict figure in the Eastern Divine Region, is going to slap his own face?"

Exalted One Quhuo's face twitched, his gaze slightly shadowed, yet he remained silent. As the head of the Heaven Smiting Arbitration, how could he not know about the legendary ultimate movement technique, "Shadow Veiling"? He had lived for tens of thousands of years, and today was the first time he had witnessed it with his own eyes—and it was on this junior whom he had so utterly despised, scorned, and even detested.

He had indeed personally proclaimed—and emphasized, to mock Yun Che—phrases like "no restriction on any means" and "no rules," because he was certain that cheating was utterly impossible within the Heaven Smiting Pagoda, where each level was isolated, full of dangers, and offered no escape. He could never have dreamed that such a method could be used. And such a "method" was beyond even the five Divine Emperors, let alone him.

Exalted One Quhuo turned and looked at Divine Emperor Zhoutian. After they exchanged glances, Divine Emperor Zhoutian gave him a slight nod.

"... " Exalted One Quhuo turned back, his chest slightly heaving, and declared solemnly: "Yun Che of the Snow Song Realm, you have passed the third round of preliminaries and are qualified to enter the final 'Conferred God Battle'! Remain here for now; you may leave after the preliminaries conclude!"

A commotion erupted on the Conferred God Stage.Shadow Veiling was indeed deeply shocking. However, Yun Che's profound cultivation was, after all, only at Divine Tribulation Realm Level 1. His being the first to pass the Heaven Smiting Pagoda challenge was not due to his strength, but merely his "Shadow Veiling." To enter the final Conferred God Battle, true raw strength was required.A Divine Tribulation Realm Level 1 entering the "Son of Heaven's Chosen" was already a huge joke that had even angered Divine Emperor Zhoutian. And if he were to enter the "Conferred God Battle"... it would undoubtedly cause a storm of uproar in the Eastern Divine Region and widespread mockery from other Divine Regions.

However, this was a decision already made by the Heaven Smiting Realm... and one that had to be made.

Yun Che paid no heed to the surrounding reactions. He stood there quietly, his heart surging with emotion.

The Conferred God Battle was the final and most important segment of every Profound God Convention. He heard that every match of the Conferred God Battle would be broadcast throughout the Eastern Divine Region via the Star Stele."Well, I guess I've become completely famous now..." he mused mockingly.Jasmine, when you see me, when you hear my name, you will surely come find me... you surely will.This journey has been unexpectedly tumultuous and arduous, yet at this moment, I feel only excitement, not even a trace of regret... I wouldn't, even if I had to pay ten times the price or face consequences ten times more severe.Occasionally, I myself would suddenly feel lost, wondering why I so resolutely abandoned everything on the Blue Pole Star to come alone to the completely unfamiliar God Realm, disregarding everything, just to see you again... even if it might only be once.But now, the surge of wild excitement in my heart has given me the answer...Because you are Jasmine.You are the one who gave me a new life, changed my destiny, and made me willing to give everything I have, even if it meant eternal damnation across ten lifetimes.

Time quickly passed, and the Heaven Smiting Pagoda challenge continued, growing more and more intense. People's gazes finally returned to the Heaven Smiting Pagoda. Only Yun Che remained still, eyes closed, not even glancing at it. This was clearly a good opportunity to observe potential powerful opponents for the "Conferred God Battle," yet he had no interest.Because his objective had already been achieved; the "Conferred God Battle" had nothing to do with him. And with his current strength, he would undoubtedly be defeated by any of the powerhouses who could enter the Conferred God Battle.

What he needed to do next was simply wait for Jasmine to find him. After today, if Jasmine was in the Eastern Divine Region, there would be no reason for her not to hear his name.

After an unknown period, the sounds around him suddenly erupted: "Luo Changsheng! It's Luo Changsheng! He's about to reach the top!"Soon, a white light flashed behind Yun Che, and a handsome figure slowly emerged from it.The Sacred Universe Realm immediately burst into thunderous cheers... and if not for the anomaly that was Yun Che, the cheers would have been even louder.Luo Changsheng took a few steps forward and suddenly saw Yun Che, his gaze momentarily stunned. But it was only for an instant before he looked away, not sparing him another glance. Clearly, in his perception, or rather, in the eyes of any normal person, the only reason Yun Che would be there before him was that he had voluntarily withdrawn from the competition. And his direct withdrawal would be perfectly normal.

"Well done." Exalted One Quhuo nodded slightly at Luo Changsheng, a rare hint of approval in his expression.

Yun Che did not even glance at Luo Changsheng. These two individuals, the first to return to the Conferred God Stage, had no interaction, as if they existed in two different worlds... or perhaps, in their minds, they truly belonged to separate realms.

Following Luo Changsheng, the second, third, fourth... more and more people ascended the three-hundredth floor of the Heaven Smiting Pagoda and returned to the Conferred God Stage. These earliest finishers of the Heaven Smiting Pagoda challenge were, without a doubt, the absolute top profound practitioners in the entire Eastern Divine Region, each already widely renowned.Upon their arrival, their reactions to seeing Yun Che were essentially identical to Luo Changsheng's. Especially Jun Xilei, whose face showed deep disdain and revulsion when she looked over, her buried humiliation and hatred fiercely ignited whenever she saw Yun Che.

Unbeknownst to him, over twenty young profound practitioners had returned to the Conferred God Stage, and the remaining spots for the Conferred God Battle were dwindling. It was then that Yun Che suddenly heard a name that greatly caught his attention.

"That young man... is he really from the Blazing Heaven Realm?""Born in a middle-ranked star realm, how could he achieve this level of accomplishment?!"

Yun Che looked up, his gaze quickly locking onto a projection. The entire screen of the projection was filled with a light golden blaze. He could clearly hear Huo Poyun's roars and the painful, desperate howls of numerous profound beasts engulfed in Golden Crow flames.Golden flames surged skyward, seemingly powerful enough to pierce the Heaven Smiting Pagoda. Gradually, the roars of the profound beasts subsided. Amidst the pervasive firelight, Huo Poyun emerged, covered in blood, his steps slow yet as firm as iron. His flame-burning eyes showed no sign of pain from his severe injuries, only a resolve hotter than the flames themselves.Leaving a long trail of blood, he stepped onto the three-hundredth floor of the Heaven Smiting Pagoda.He became the twenty-fifth person to enter the Conferred God Battle.

"... Truly remarkable," Yun Che sighed sincerely.From being among the top two hundred, then the top one hundred... and now, he was the twenty-fifth among all participants to pass the Heaven Smiting Pagoda and enter the Conferred God Battle.He was also the first young profound practitioner from a middle-ranked star realm to enter the Conferred God Battle.He had shocked Yun Che again and again, and brought immense surprises to the Blazing Heaven Realm time and again.

"The Conferred God Battle, the Conferred God Battle..." Huo Rulie murmured repeatedly, as if in a deep dream from which he did not wish to wake."For Poyun to reach such a level, we completely underestimated his mastery of flames. After all, on him..." Yan Juehai paused mid-sentence, his face filled with deep excitement and anticipation.

Divine Emperor Zhoutian's gaze lingered on Huo Poyun for a long time, then he turned to the Blazing Heaven Realm and smiled: "Congratulations to the two Sect Masters of the Blazing Heaven. It seems that before long, the Blazing Heaven will be capable of ascending to a higher-ranked star realm."Yan Juehai and Huo Rulie were overwhelmed with honor, hastily returning the gesture, their hearts brimming with excitement.

Huo Poyun emerged from the light screen, his face still showing irrepressible excitement. He had just gestured towards Huo Rulie when he spotted Yun Che and froze for a moment: "Brother Yun, you..."Yun Che walked over and smiled: "Brother Poyun, now you can't help but become famous throughout the world.""Ahaha, you..." While fierce in battle, Huo Poyun was usually exceptionally gentle. He smiled awkwardly, about to ask Yun Che if he had withdrawn voluntarily, but then remembered that this would surely hurt Yun Che's pride. He quickly stopped, lowered his voice, and changed the subject: "Brother Yun, you nearly scared me to death earlier... How could you dare to contradict Exalted One Quhuo... Phew! You might not know how powerful he is. Please, please don't ever do that again.""Don't worry," Yun Che replied with an incredibly calm smile. "I'm much safer than any of you. Even if Exalted One Quhuo went crazy and tried to kill me directly, I have ways to prevent him from doing so.""Huh?" Huo Poyun was astonished. Although he trusted Yun Che, Yun Che's words truly made him wonder how he was supposed to believe them.

"Look quickly... The young girl from the Glazed Light Realm, when did she catch up!?"Most gazes converged on the same projection. A delicate and exquisite girl flew within it like a black butterfly. Behind her, a large group of profound beasts pursued, but gradually, their speed slowed little by little, eventually stopping in place, staring blankly as the girl moved further away, no longer giving chase.Shui Meiyin!

"Huh? What's going on?" Huo Poyun asked, puzzled and surprised. "The profound beasts in the Heaven Smiting Pagoda all chase like mad dogs. Why did hers... stop pursuing?""... It must be soul interference, and a very powerful kind!" Yun Che said slowly, his brows furrowed.This little girl has terrifying spiritual power, capable of interfering with the perceptions of so many profound beasts at once.Could it be that his own Shadow Veiling technique would be easily detected by her... also because of her excessively powerful spiritual energy?

Yun Che himself possessed extremely strong spiritual power, but he had never deliberately cultivated it. Thus, its strength was entirely concentrated in simple, brute-force mental attacks and extremely strong mental defense. For example, Dragon Soul Suppression and Scarlet Soul Burning. However, what Shui Meiyin displayed was spiritual interference, which was far more difficult and advanced than simple mental attacks. Sufficiently powerful interference could even achieve "control."