Chapter 1170: Opening, the Battle of Deification

"Yun Che, have you ever told anyone about your home planet?" Mu Bingyun asked.

She flew very slowly with Yun Che. While Yun Che's thoughts were solely on meeting the person he longed to see, her focus was on getting him away as quickly as possible, both of them detached from the Conferred God Battle. For years, this was arguably the first time she had ever been so deeply concerned for someone. After all, Yun Che was her lifesaver, and helping him meet the Heaven Smiting Star God was a promise she had made back then; Mu Xuanyin's repeated warnings were merely a secondary reason.

Yun Che thought for a moment and replied, "Besides you, Master, and Senior Sister Lan, no one else knows... Oh, on my first day at the Frozen Cloud Asgard, I casually mentioned to Feng Moli that I was from the Azure Cloud Continent, but it was just a passing remark; he probably forgot about it long ago."

When he first arrived in the Snow Song Realm, he could never have imagined this day, so he was essentially unwary then. But after that, he never mentioned his home planet again.

Mu Bingyun nodded slightly. "That's good. Because of your actions yesterday, your name has spread widely. Now, countless people across the entire Eastern Divine Region want to see who this person is, a Divine Tribulation Realm level one practitioner, who entered the Conferred God Battle. After today, not only your name but also your appearance will likely be known to everyone. Those interested in you might inquire, or even investigate your origin. You must remember that your home planet is called... Neptune."

Mu Bingyun named a planet that likely didn't exist.

"...Understood," Yun Che complied.

"I will send a message to your Master, asking her to quietly spread the news in the Snow Song Realm that you are from 'Neptune'. This way, even if someone specifically notices you and wants to investigate your origin, they will find nothing."

"Mhm," Yun Che nodded, feeling a deep sense of emotion. When he first arrived in the God Realm, he was like a speck of dust drifting into a vast ocean; he never imagined that one day, he could become famous in this world and attract the attention of high-level figures.

...Though it wasn't a good reputation.

Especially after directly forfeiting today, it would attract countless sighs and ridicule... across the entire Eastern Divine Region.

But it didn't matter... He had never belonged to this world anyway.

"By the way, Palace Master Bingyun, this time the Four Divine Emperors are here, and the Dragon Monarch and a Divine Emperor from the Southern Divine Region also arrived. What great matter are they discussing? And how is this Profound God Convention related to this 'great matter'?" Yun Che asked.

Mu Bingyun looked straight ahead. "It is indeed a great matter, but it's beyond our scope. The Conferred God Stage is almost in sight. If you're interested, I can tell you about it later."

The Conferred God Stage was already in sight. Just then, from another direction, two figures rapidly approached.

Jun Wuming, Jun Xilei!

Encountering the Sword Sovereign and his disciple, Mu Bingyun slowed down and bowed slightly. "Senior Sword Sovereign."

Although there was a slight awkwardness due to the Snow Song Realm incident, the Sword Sovereign was, after all, a senior with extremely high prestige and cultivation in the Eastern Divine Region, so Mu Bingyun did not neglect her etiquette.

"..." Though Jun Wuming did not speak, he nodded in acknowledgment, then quickly passed by.

"That Yun Che, how can there be such a detestable person in the world? Every time I see him, I wish I could kill him with my own hands," Jun Xilei gritted her teeth, seething with hatred. Following Jun Wuming in cultivating the Way of the Sword, her mind had always been as still as water, but only when facing Yun Che would murderous intent suddenly surge within her.

"Moreover, he repeatedly used despicable, dishonorable methods and still entered the Conferred God Battle; this disciple feels deeply ashamed. And yet the Brahma Heaven God Realm..."

"Leier," Jun Wuming interjected, "Never underestimate..."

He understood far better than Jun Xilei how astonishing the concept of "Concealed Shadow" was, but recalling Jun Xilei's hatred for Yun Che, he sighed inwardly and changed his words, "Never underestimate any opponent. The Conferred God Battle is ahead; do not harbor any other distracting thoughts."

"...Yes," Jun Xilei's mind cleared, and she quickly calmed herself.

When Mu Bingyun and Yun Che arrived, representatives from the various star realms on the Conferred God Stage were almost all present. The moment Yun Che appeared, countless diverse gazes swept towards him in unison.

After a day of fervent discussion, the level of attention Yun Che garnered was absolutely astonishing. Whether out of curiosity or waiting to see a spectacle, this super anomaly, a Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner who entered the Conferred God Battle, undoubtedly became the first major highlight of the Conferred God Battle.

Most of the other Conferred God Disciples merely scoffed, utterly disdainful, upon seeing Yun Che.

Yun Che did not go to the preparation area but instead directly took his seat among the Snow Song Realm's contingent. He allowed the various gazes to fix upon him, his expression completely unchanged, though the other members of the Snow Song Realm were visibly restless.

"Brother Yun," Huo Poyun's voice came from an adjacent seat. He, too, had directly taken his place among the Blazing Heaven God Realm's contingent and sincerely said, "In the Conferred God Battle, we must give it our all, leaving no regrets. I believe Brother Yun's strength... no matter the outcome, will surely astonish them."

Yun Che smiled and nodded, offering no reply.

"Yun'er, in this Conferred God Battle, apart from you and Yun Che, everyone else is from an upper star realm. Past Conferred God Battles have also been largely monopolized by upper star realms. As for that brat Yun Che... well, forget about him. You must give it your absolute all, not just for our Blazing Heaven God Realm, but also to win glory for all mid-rank star realms," Huo Rulie instructed.

"No, there's one more person," Yan Juehai interjected. "That young man named Wei Hen, he probably isn't from an upper star realm either. But why would he conceal his origin for something that could bring him fame and lifelong glory? And even his name is likely fake."

"Who cares about him?" Huo Rulie said, unconcerned. "If the Brahma Heaven God Realm truly wanted to investigate his origin, it would only take moments."

Not long after, the Four Divine Emperors arrived together. Following them, the Shitian Divine Emperor and the Dragon Monarch also arrived one after another.

"Oh? This old man thought the Dragon Monarch would surely be uninterested in this Conferred God Battle," the Brahma Heaven God Emperor said with a smile.

"Haha, since I'm here, how could I not witness the prowess of the Eastern Divine Region's younger generation with my own eyes?" the Dragon Monarch smiled faintly.

"There's nothing else to do anyway, so let's watch," the Shitian Divine Emperor said with a chuckle. "Tsk, perhaps something as amusing as yesterday will happen again."

"Hmph, suit yourself then." Towards Cang Shitian, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor no longer maintained the same courtesy as yesterday.

"Qu Hui, begin!"

The appointed time had arrived. Profound light shimmered on the Conferred God Stage, and a beam of light shot upwards, reaching a height of a hundred zhang. On the light screen, thirty-two names were neatly inscribed.

The Thirty-Two Conferred God Disciples!

Venerable Qu Hui was not only the host of the third preliminary round but also the one overseeing the Conferred God Battle. He stood above the center of the Conferred God Stage, his gaze like a cold sword, his aura chilling and intimidating.

Venerable Qu Hui began reciting the usual lengthy opening speech for the Conferred God Battle, introducing the names of this generation's Thirty-Two Conferred God Disciples.

Finally, his tone shifted.

"This Conferred God Battle, like previous ones, will follow a 'double-elimination' format. Those who maintain an undefeated record will remain in the 'Conferred God Group'; those who suffer their first defeat will fall into the 'Loser's Group'; and those who suffer a second defeat will be eliminated! Opponents for each battle will be randomly assigned by the Judgment Profound Array."

"Falling unconscious, surrendering, continuous or severe violation of rules, or failing to enter the battlefield within fifteen breaths after the battle begins, will all result in a loss." Venerable Qu Hui's gaze sharpened, and he pointed towards the Conferred God Stage, three hundred miles below. "Being knocked out of the Conferred God Area will also be judged as a loss!"

"Participants are forbidden from using contracted profound beasts and special profound artifacts, including protective profound artifacts. No elixirs may be used, but weapons are unrestricted!"

"If for certain special reasons a clear victor cannot be determined within a short period, the various Divine Emperors will judge the outcome!"

"Furthermore, during a duel, you must exert your full strength. Injuries are inevitable and cannot be pursued. However, if one party has already surrendered, no further attacks are permitted, and certainly no malicious killing blows out of personal enmity... Hmph, do not think you can deceive this Venerable One or the eyes of the Divine Emperors."

"Finally..." Venerable Qu Hui's gaze swept across the surroundings as he slowly said, "I will reiterate a rule you all should know: no matter what situation arises during a battle, if intervention is needed, this Venerable One will act... No one else is permitted to interfere! Otherwise, do not blame this Venerable One for showing no mercy!"

Venerable Qu Hui's words were stern, causing everyone who heard them to feel a chill. However, this reminder was actually unnecessary; who would dare to forcefully intervene in the Conferred God Battle under the watchful eyes of the Divine Emperors?

The entire audience was silently watching. Only Yun Che constantly scanned his surroundings, especially the seats reserved for the Star God Realm; he swept his gaze over them again and again...

Yet he saw no trace of Jasmine, nor did he detect her aura.

She will definitely come; she must be on her way here now—Yun Che repeatedly murmured to himself.

"Today consists of sixteen initial battles. No one will be eliminated today, but the results will determine the fate of your battles tomorrow," Venerable Qu Hui descended and landed before the giant light screen. "The sixteen winners will enter the 'Conferred God Group', and the sixteen losers will enter the 'Loser's Group'. Your opponents for today will be decided by this Judgment Profound Array!"

As Venerable Qu Hui's voice faded, the light screen behind him suddenly flashed, and the names of the Thirty-Two Conferred God Disciples disappeared simultaneously.

When they reappeared, they were paired up!

The first round's battle roster for the Conferred God Battle was displayed with absolute clarity before everyone on the Conferred God Stage, and through the projection of the Star God Stele, it was reflected to all corners of the Eastern Divine Region.

Match 1: Huo Poyun (Blazing Heaven God Realm) —vs— Lu Chenyuan (Covering Heaven Realm)

"The first match!? Yun'er, it's you in the very first match!"

The moment the battle roster appeared, Huo Rulie roared, so excited that he directly stood up. Yun Che looked up and clearly saw that the first name on the roster was Huo Poyun.

And his opponent was from one of the three strongest star realms—the Covering Heaven Realm!

"Lu Chenyuan, the younger brother of Lu Lengchuan, one of the Four Divine Sons of the East, and the seventy-third son of the Covering Heaven Realm King. He is forty-seven years old and at Divine Spirit Realm Level Eight," Yan Juehai murmured with a frown. "Not only is Poyun the first to enter the arena, but he's also facing such a powerful opponent right from the start."

"Indeed a strong opponent," Huo Rulie also subtly drew a breath, but he showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, he laughed heartily, "Yun'er, the fact that you've come this far already makes your master proud. For this battle, victory or defeat doesn't matter; just give it your all."

"Don't worry, Master, this disciple never fears any opponent." Facing the name Lu Chenyuan, which carried immense pressure, Huo Poyun remained completely fearless. Then, he suddenly widened his eyes and blurted out, "What a coincidence... Brother Yun! You're in the very next match!"

As Huo Poyun spoke, Yun Che had already seen his own name.

Match 2: Luo Chang'an (Holy Universe Realm) —vs— Yun Che (Snow Song Realm)

It was indeed a big coincidence that he and Huo Poyun were in the first two matches. And his opponent... Luo Chang'an, the son of the Holy Universe Realm King and elder brother of Luo Changsheng, the foremost of the Four Divine Sons of the East!

Yun Che and Huo Poyun, the only two participants from mid-rank star realms, were not only listed in the first two matches but also faced opponents... all from the three strongest star realms: Holy Universe, Glazed Light, and Covering Heaven.

However, compared to Yun Che's opponent, Luo Chang'an, who was at Divine Spirit Realm Level Six, Huo Poyun's opponent Lu Chenyuan was clearly much stronger.

But who his opponent was didn't matter to Yun Che at all. Just then, however, his heart suddenly thumped.

This is...

He looked up like lightning, his gaze instantly locking onto one person.

Wei Hen!

He stared intently at the light screen. This person, whose face was always rigid and cold, seemingly devoid of emotion, now had his features subtly distorted, his pupils fixed intently on the light screen, and his tightly clenched hands were faintly trembling.

The power he had always fiercely concealed was slightly losing control under his overwhelming excitement.

Yun Che's gaze quickly returned to the light screen.

Match 3: Wei Hen —vs— Li Jianming (Startling Thunder Realm)

Startling Thunder Realm... Li Jianming?

Why did he suddenly react like that?

Could it be such a coincidence... that this Li Jianming is his target!?