Chapter 1169: Time Wheel Pearl

Under the wide-eyed gaze of the crowd, Yun Che calmly stepped into the profound formation.

Yun Che: Hailing from the Snow Song Realm, 27 years old, at Level One of the Divine Tribulation Realm.

The final qualification assessment showed no anomalies.

How could they possibly believe or accept that a "shameless scoundrel" and "disgrace to the profound way"—someone from a lower realm, only at Level One of the Divine Tribulation Realm, who had supposedly cheated his way through two preliminary rounds—had ranked above Luo Changsheng and everyone else?

In reality, Yun Che took less than an hour to reach the three hundredth level. For the first twenty-odd hours, he had remained motionless, contemplating life.

Had this been any other occasion, these "Heaven's Chosen Sons," brimming with both power and arrogance, would have erupted in outrage at such an absurd and unbelievable result. However, this was the Conferred God Stage, and the outcome had been personally announced by Honored Master Extermination. While they all frowned deeply, perplexed and indignant, they wisely refrained from openly challenging the decision—though not everyone.

Luo Chang'an suddenly stepped forward, bowed, and then pointed directly at Yun Che. "Honored Master Extermination, I, Luo Chang'an, am puzzled by something. How could a lowly scoundrel like Yun Che, with such meager cultivation and despicable character, a true disgrace to the profound way, possibly..."

"Step down!" Honored Master Extermination suddenly roared. "He claimed first place. Although he may have employed unusual means, according to the rules, a win is a win. Not only I, but everyone present witnessed it. How dare you question it! If you wish to know the reason, go ask your elders. Now, step down!"

"...Yes, this junior was reckless." Luo Chang'an dared not speak further and retreated resentfully.

However, Honored Master Extermination's phrase "unusual means" was heard clearly by everyone, causing many to blanch slightly. Profound practitioners who had been just a hair's breadth away from success were especially crimson-faced with suppressed rage, some even trembling as they glared at Yun Che, yet dared not act out.

How else could a Level One Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner claim first place, if not by employing special means!?

"First, congratulations to you all! You have distinguished yourselves from the thousand 'Heaven's Chosen Sons' personally selected by the Eternal Heaven Pearl, becoming the 'Thirty-Two Conferred Gods,' and entering the final Conferred God Battle of the Profound God Convention!"

"This is a testament to your strength and will be a lifelong honor."

"However, among you 'Thirty-Two Conferred Gods,' only four will ultimately achieve conferment!"

"The upcoming Conferred God Battle will perhaps be the most intense competition of your lives, for your opponents will be the most elite and powerful profound practitioners of your generation from across the entire Eastern Divine Region! Simultaneously, it will be the battlefield that best proves your strength and grants you glory!"

"The Conferred God Battle begins tomorrow!"

"However, you need not worry about not having enough time to adjust your condition." Honored Master Extermination's words resonated like bells. With a wave of his hand, thirty-two luminous stars appeared, carrying thirty-two identical profound formation pearls that flew towards each person.

"These are the Time Wheel Pearls, unique to our Eternal Heaven Realm," Honored Master Extermination explained. "They contain the power of the Eternal Heaven Pearl. By infusing them with profound energy, you can activate a special Time Wheel Barrier. This barrier can be maintained for up to one month, but during that month, only one hour will pass in the outside world!"

The other profound practitioners did not show great surprise regarding the Time Wheel Pearls. It was common knowledge that the Eternal Heaven Realm could create special spatial profound formations using the power of the Eternal Heaven Pearl. However, these Time Wheel Pearls were incredibly precious; even for a month's use, they were priceless and unobtainable for any amount of gold.

Yun Che picked up a Time Wheel Pearl, marveling at it. To activate a time barrier where a month inside equated to just one hour outside, only the Eternal Heaven Pearl could possibly create such a miraculous profound formation in the entire world.

In the Conferred God Battle, every opponent would be extremely formidable. It was highly probable that each battle would demand their full strength, and injuries, even severe ones, would be unavoidable, making it difficult to quickly recover profound energy and heal before the next fight. However, with the "Time Wheel Pearls," no matter how dense the competition schedule, none of this would be an issue.

"A new Time Wheel Pearl will be reissued after every two rounds of competition. Those who are eliminated are not included!"

"Furthermore, as a special reward, until the end of the Profound God Convention, you will have the greatest freedom of movement within the Eternal Heaven Realm. You may enter any area outside the Eternal Heaven Realm's restricted zones, converse directly with the arbiters, and enjoy unrestricted entry and exit from the Eternal Heaven Realm."

Yun Che was speechless.

As Honored Master Extermination spoke, the Judgment Profound Formation flickered slightly, and a blue light entered the bodies of the thirty-two individuals. Simultaneously, a small, light blue plaque appeared on each of their shoulders.

A plaque symbolizing their status as the "Thirty-Two Conferred Gods."

"Next, you will be assigned to special residences, or you are entirely free to return to your sect's accommodations if you prefer. In other words, your priority from now on is to maintain yourselves in peak condition at all times. Everything else can be accommodated, understood!?"

No one responded, but the eyes of these "Thirty-Two Conferred Gods," who possessed both power and pride, were already blazing with fervent battle intent.

The Conferred God Battle was the pinnacle for the younger generation of the Eastern Divine Region, the most fitting and conclusive stage to prove their worth!

Honored Master Extermination turned and nodded slightly towards the Eternal Heaven God Emperor.

The Eternal Heaven God Emperor slowly rose. As if drawn by some invisible aura, everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on him.

"I thank you all once again for traveling so far to discuss this important matter," the Eternal Heaven God Emperor said with a smile, his voice vast and resounding. "Now that the Conferred God Battle is imminent, I invite you all to set aside the burden of 'important matters' and collectively enjoy what is sure to be an exceptionally brilliant Conferred God Battle."

"For these are not merely extraordinary young people. In three years' time, their stature may not be beneath yours... perhaps even far surpassing yours..."

Following the Eternal Heaven God Emperor's profound pronouncement, the three preliminary rounds of the Profound God Convention concluded. The various star realms and powerful individuals on the Conferred God Stage departed, preparing for or anticipating the Conferred God Battle set to begin tomorrow.

If there was one person who stood out most in these three preliminary rounds, it was not Luo Changsheng, but Yun Che!

Even as the various Realm Kings departed, they would intentionally or unintentionally cast a glance in Yun Che's direction, unsure whether they were astonished by his truly world-shaking "Vanishing Shadow" or simply unable to accept that he had actually entered the Conferred God Battle.

As for the other profound practitioners who had entered the Conferred God Battle, it went without saying: seeing a Level One Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner like Yun Che, whom they considered utterly worthless, listed among the Thirty-Two Conferred Gods just like them, was nothing short of a profound humiliation.

Their only recourse was to glare coldly, then completely ignore and forget Yun Che's existence, acting as if there were only thirty-one Conferred Gods.

Yun Che approached the Snow Song group. Before he could speak, Mu Huanzhi, extremely agitated, exclaimed, "Yun Che, you... you... how do I even say this... In short, you've been far too reckless, and this Conferred God Battle, this, this, this..."

Cheating... Heaven's Chosen Son... challenging the Eternal Heaven Realm... Broken Moon Flowing Shadow... Conferred God Battle... Mu Huanzhi's mind was a complete jumble, leaving him incoherent for a long time.

"Grand Elder, let's not ask too many questions now. We can discuss it back home," Mu Bingyun said. She gazed deeply at Yun Che and asked, "Are you returning with us, or...?"

"Of course, I'll accompany the Palace Masters and Elders," Yun Che replied.

After bidding farewell to Huo Rulie and the others, who were beside themselves with joy, Yun Che departed with Mu Bingyun and the rest.

The courtyard where the Snow Song Realm group stayed was not large, but it was exceptionally quiet and soundproofed from other star realms. Yun Che waited for Mu Bingyun's reprimand, but after a long silence, he only heard her sigh. "Yun Che, do you know... from the moment you forced your way through the first preliminary round, your master will certainly be furious about every single thing you've done since then."

"...I know," Yun Che said, lowering his head.

"Did you do all of this just to see her?" Mu Bingyun's gaze shifted to him.

Yun Che nodded and softly said, "I initially thought that if I entered the Eternal Heaven Realm by any means necessary, I could see her. But she didn't come, so I had no choice but to devise a way for her to hear my name."

"Then have you considered the possibility," Mu Bingyun said, "that she knows you've arrived in the Divine Realm, but chooses not to see you?"

Yun Che was startled, then shook his head without hesitation. "No, absolutely not. As much as I want to see her, she wants to see me just as much!"

"...It seems I have consistently underestimated your persistence concerning her," Mu Bingyun sighed softly. "Since things have come to this, reprimanding you is useless. You've come this far with great difficulty, and I believe you won't heed my words or anyone else's advice. Now, I can only hope your wish comes true. But remember... you must be careful. Before doing anything, first consider the possible consequences. You absolutely must not be reckless again."

"I'm sorry, Palace Master Bingyun, for constantly making you worry about me," Yun Che apologized. "Once my wish is fulfilled and I return to the sect, I will confess my sins to Master and accept any punishment she deems fit."

"Will you participate in tomorrow's Conferred God Battle?" Mu Bingyun suddenly asked.

Yun Che shook his head without a second thought. "Of course not. With my strength, no matter the opponent, I'm guaranteed to lose. Why invite humiliation? However, I will go to watch the matches."

"To wait for her?"

"Yes."

Yun Che's sole purpose was to gain renown. He had absolutely no interest in the Conferred God Battle. Even if he did, it was simply not his stage.

And his goal was indeed achieved, seemingly with far greater impact than he had anticipated.

As the final battle of the Profound God Convention, the Conferred God Battle would undoubtedly draw the attention of the entire Eastern Divine Region. The news that a mere Level One Divine Tribulation Realm profound practitioner had actually entered the Conferred God Battle and become one of the "Thirty-Two Conferred Gods" was not just explosive; it utterly stunned over eighty percent of all profound practitioners.

And the name "Yun Che" spread like wildfire, like a plague.

After all, "anomalies" were what most stimulated people's curiosity and desire for gossip.

A quiet night passed.

The next day, the opening day of the Conferred God Battle, the Eternal Heaven Realm was tranquil, but the Eastern Divine Region was abuzz with activity. People from various star realms gathered around their respective Star God Stele, awaiting the start of the Conferred God Battle.

Every match of the Conferred God Battle would be projected in real-time by the Star God Stele, allowing even those not present in the Eternal Heaven Realm to clearly witness the full battles.

Yun Che passed a quiet night. When he opened his eyes, dawn had fully broken. The time for the Conferred God Battle was fast approaching, and by now, all other participants and spectators would certainly have entered the Conferred God Stage.

The Snow Song Realm group was no different; only Mu Bingyun had been silently waiting for him.

"Let's go."

A light mist of ice floated gently. A profound energy current lifted Yun Che and carried him towards the central Conferred God Stage.

Yun Che would not participate in the Conferred God Battle... He had long decided in his heart that once he arrived, he would forfeit the match directly. Either way, forfeiting or suffering a crushing defeat would equally invite ridicule. His sole reason for going to the Conferred God Stage was to await Jasmine's appearance... After all, if Jasmine were to arrive, she would surely come to the Conferred God Stage.

However...