Chapter 1180: Return to the Celestial Heaven

In just two or three hours, the first wave of the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet's core medicinal power was completely refined. Not only was the entire process free of any alarm or danger, but Yun Che, on the contrary, felt as if he had been in an indescribably comfortable state the whole time, akin to drifting among the clouds or wandering through a dream.

With the medicinal energy refined, the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet fell into a temporary dormancy. The dream-like mysterious cold energy also imperceptibly integrated itself into Yun Che's body, and even his physical injuries had completely healed.

Yun Che refocused his mind and began to steadily consolidate his newly acquired power.

However, this tranquility did not last long. The second wave of the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet's core medicinal power suddenly released. Although slightly weaker than the first wave, it still plunged Yun Che straight into an abyss once more.

But this time, before Yun Che could struggle for long, the gentle, mysterious aura surged into his body again, like a soft, graceful spring rain, permeating his entire being. It silently merged with his body and power, jointly suppressing and refining the new medicinal energy.

Most of the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet's medicinal power was hidden within its core; each time its power erupted, Yun Che refined it. Whenever the medicinal energy flared and Yun Che could not endure it, the icy cold aura, seemingly from a dream, would surge into his body in time.

After dozens of repetitions, time and again, the medicinal power exuding from the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet had become exceptionally faint, and the dream-like aura entering his body also subtly diminished with each instance.

Who knew how much time had passed—perhaps days, perhaps months, or even years… After a hundred cycles, the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet's medicinal power was finally fully released. The five-colored light that had enveloped Yun Che also completely vanished.

Yun Che's mind and spirit finally relaxed, but he felt no fatigue whatsoever. Instead, he experienced an unprecedented clarity.

Without sensing his current profound energy, Yun Che released his perception and quietly opened his eyes… The Wheel of Time Barrier was still present, indicating that "one month" had not yet passed. However, he was the only one within it; Mu Xuanyin was no longer there, and there was no trace of her aura nearby either.

At this moment, a faint phoenix cry suddenly echoed from deep within his soul.

The wisp of divine soul bestowed upon him by the Ice Phoenix girl glowed with a cold radiance within his mind.

Mu Xuanyin had once told him that the Divine Tribulation Realm was the most unique realm in the divine path. It only had nine minor stages and involved no qualitative change, only a pure increase in profound energy. Therefore, the Divine Tribulation Realm was the most suitable realm for "forced elevation"; not only was it the easiest to adapt to, but it also had the minimal side effects.

This was also one of the reasons Mu Xuanyin had not allowed Yun Che, who was in the Divine Soul Realm, to consume the Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet.

Yun Che refocused his mind and reached out to the wisp of Ice Phoenix divine soul. Attached to the divine soul was a power that was immensely potent for him, capable of causing his profound energy to surge dramatically once more.

The God Conferred Battle, third day, at the God Conferred Platform in the Brahma Heaven God Realm.

In yesterday's God Conferred Battle, eight individuals from the God Conferred Group were defeated and moved to the Losers' Group, while eight individuals from the Losers' Group were eliminated.

Today, only matches for the Losers' Group would be held—a total of eight matches—and eight more individuals would be eliminated from the God Conferred Platform.

This meant that after today's battles, only sixteen individuals would remain on the God Conferred Platform. To advance into the top sixteen from the initial thirty-two God Children was already an achievement worthy of worldwide acclaim.

The remaining eight individuals in the God Conferred Group were even more the focus of attention for the entire Eastern Divine Region.

As soon as dawn broke, the star realm seating area of the God Conferred Platform was already completely full. For those defeated in the God Conferred Group, there was still a glimmer of hope, but for the Losers' Group, defeat meant immediate elimination with no chance of recovery. Therefore, the Losers' Group matches were even more tense and nerve-wracking.

However, although there were supposed to be eight matches today, to everyone, there really seemed to be only six.

On the light screen of the God Conferred Platform, today's battle roster was displayed:

First Match: Snow Song Realm versus Saint Universe Realm

Second Match: Divine Martial Realm versus Startling Thunder Realm

"This Luo Chang'an is truly lucky," one person remarked. "He was originally at the bottom in terms of strength, yet in his first match, he encountered Yun Che and was practically gifted a spot in the God Conferred Group. Yesterday, he lost to Huo Poyun of the Blazing Heaven God Realm in the God Conferred Group, and his first opponent in the Losers' Group turns out to be Yun Che again… It looks like he's going to make it into the top sixteen."

"He can still encounter Yun Che, isn't it because Yun Che's match yesterday was a bye?" another scoffed. "Otherwise, how could he possibly still have such a weak opponent? The person who should have been eliminated long ago actually won a free match and is still here. I truly feel it's unfair to those Divine Children who fought hard and were eliminated."

"Yun Che didn't even come to the God Conferred Platform yesterday," someone else chimed in. "I heard someone saw him sneaking out of the Brahma Heaven God Realm alone. He probably ran back to the Snow Song Realm."

"It seems he himself has no face to show up and disgrace himself further… Hmph! Fleeing like this is even more humiliating," another person scoffed. "I heard he's even the Snow Song Realm King's personal disciple. This is practically disgracing the entire Snow Song Realm. If I had such a personal disciple, I'd simply slap him to death!"

Among the seats, both the Snow Song Realm and the Blazing Heaven God Realm delegations had arrived, and various harsh comments reached their ears.

Mu Bingyun remained silent, while Mu Huanzhi and the others felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles, regretting their presence. On the Blazing Heaven God Realm side, Yan Juehai and Huo Rulie sighed inwardly. Huo Poyun wanted to ask questions several times but held back.

The time was approaching. As the barrier of the God Conferred Platform rose, Venerable Quhui's figure floated into the air. Today's God Conferred Battle finally began.

"Today marks the second round of battles for the Losers' Group," Venerable Quhui announced. "Victory grants entry into tomorrow's third round of the Losers' Group battles, securing a spot in the top sixteen. Defeat means an end to your journey in the Profound God Convention!"

"For the first match of the Losers' Group second round, Yun Che of the Snow Song Realm versus Luo Chang'an of the Saint Universe Realm," Venerable Quhui continued. "Enter the God Conferred Platform immediately!"

No sooner had Venerable Quhui's voice faded than Luo Chang'an floated up and landed with immense poise in the center of the God Conferred Platform. His gaze shot directly towards the Snow Song Realm's seating area, a casual smirk playing on his lips.

Within the Snow Song Realm's seating area, Yun Che's figure was nowhere to be seen.

The eyes of the entire audience also swept over the Snow Song Realm's seating area, half with disdain, half with mockery. Some even secretly shook their heads and sighed, as if feeling shame on behalf of the Snow Song Realm. Under countless gazes, the Snow Song Realm's delegation dared not lift their heads, restless in their seats.

"This brat, he didn't actually become a deserter, did he?" Huo Rulie shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh, his face filled with gloom and disappointment.

In the very first match of the first day, although he had surrendered directly, at least he was present and announced it himself publicly… After all, in terms of strength, he had no chance of victory. While conceding directly might harm a profound practitioner's dignity, it was acceptable.

In yesterday's first round of the Losers' Group, he had no opponent and directly advanced to the next battle. If a person wasn't there, there was nothing to be said.

But today… if he had truly fled back to the Snow Song Realm, then he truly had no reason not to be looked down upon.

Venerable Quhui's words lingered for a long time, and Luo Chang'an remained the sole figure on the God Conferred Platform. Yun Che was not in the seating area, clearly not present at all. The outcome was obvious.

"Sigh, he cheated his way through all three preliminary rounds," a voice sneered. "The Brahma Heaven God Realm, with its vast magnanimity, still allowed him to enter the God Conferred Battle. And the result… Hmph!"

"This will absolutely be a disgrace recorded in the history of the Profound God Convention."

"Yun Che has already fled," another person loudly declared. "Venerable Quhui doesn't need to waste time at all. He should just announce the result directly. For the grand God Conferred Battle to have such trash mixed in, it's simply ruining the entire Profound God Convention."

Venerable Quhui's eyes were indifferent, his expression neutral. According to the rules of the God Conferred Battle, failing to appear on the God Conferred Platform within fifteen breaths would result in an automatic loss. Although Yun Che hadn't even arrived at the venue, let alone the platform, and the outcome was obvious, given his disposition, he would strictly wait for the full fifteen breaths before making the announcement.

At this moment, from the eastern seats, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor suddenly spoke: "Quhui, announce the result directly. There's no need for the Profound God Convention to waste time on such a coward who lacks all profound way dignity."

Venerable Quhui nodded. He disdained even mentioning Yun Che's name again and said in a deep voice, "For the first match of the Losers' Group second round, Luo Chang'an… Oh?"

Just as the word "victory" was about to leave his lips, Venerable Quhui's brow suddenly twitched, and he turned his head to look upwards. Simultaneously, the gazes of most people in the arena also turned in the same direction.

A single ice boat, like a streaking star, rapidly approached from the east, arriving above the God Conferred Platform in an instant. From atop the ice boat, a figure plummeted, landing directly in front of Luo Chang'an, and the ice boat then vanished.

"Yun Che!" the Snow Song Realm delegation exclaimed in unison.

"Finally…" Mu Bingyun let out a long breath, her expression relaxing.

"Whew! This brat, I knew he wasn't the type to flee without a fight," Huo Rulie exclaimed, letting out a great sigh of relief. He then stood up and shouted, "Good you came, little Yun! Even if you know you're not a match, we'll lose with dignity… Hmm?"

Huo Rulie's brow suddenly twitched, sensing something was amiss. After a moment of concentrated gaze, his eyes suddenly widened, revealing an expression of utter disbelief.

Yun Che, clad in newly changed Ice Phoenix snow robes, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his head slightly tilted upwards, his eyes like still water, and a faint, unreadable smile on his face. His landing spot… was less than ten paces from Luo Chang'an directly in front of him.

Venerable Quhui cast a sidelong glance at Yun Che, his brow noticeably twitching. In the stands, the numerous Star God powerhouses also showed expressions of shock. Even the various God Emperors in the eastern seats had unusual lights in their eyes.

What astonished them was not Yun Che's sudden arrival.

But his profound energy aura… it had completely changed!

The day before yesterday, his profound energy was clearly still at the first level of the Divine Tribulation Realm, a fact known to all.

But the Yun Che standing before them at this moment, the profound energy emanating from him was distinctly at the eighth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm!

They repeatedly confirmed, and it was indeed the eighth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm beyond a doubt!

In just less than two days, he had actually… increased by a full seven minor stages!

"Divine Tribulation Realm… eighth level? This… is this Yun Che?" Mu Huanzhi's mouth hung open, utterly disbelieving his own spiritual perception.

Deep disbelief was also present in Mu Bingyun's eyes.

Mu Bingyun had always known about the "Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet" that Yun Che consumed. She had even assisted Mu Xuanyin in its fusion and knew that due to its special ingredients, the pellet's medicinal power would surely far exceed what was recorded.

An ordinary Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet was enough to forcibly elevate a profound practitioner from the Divine Origin Realm to the Divine Tribulation Realm. However, the immense power required to advance minor stages within the Divine Tribulation Realm was naturally incomparable to that needed in the Divine Origin or Divine Soul Realms. Even though this Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet possessed extremely potent medicinal power, Mu Xuanyin herself had said that if Yun Che refined this pellet after reaching the Divine Tribulation Realm, due to the unique nature of his profound veins, he would likely advance by three minor stages, four at most.

She knew the purpose of Yun Che's return to the Snow Song Realm: it must have been to seek this Five-Element Heaven and Earth Pellet.

But an increase of a full seven minor stages truly startled her.