Chapter 1444: Resentment

Four years ago, Yun Che arrived at the Heaven Smiting God Realm filled with excitement and anticipation. Now, however, he only felt an unexplainable heaviness.

Last time, he had accompanied Mu Bingyun; this time, it was Mu Xuanyin.

Another significant difference was that during his first visit, like all other Ice Phoenix disciples, he had been filled with awe and apprehension, instinctively lightening his steps and breathing.

However, following Mu Xuanyin, he felt an indescribable sense of ease and security.

"Let's go."

Mu Xuanyin led the way, walking slowly with Yun Che towards the Heaven Smiting Gate.

There were only three days left until the Heaven Smiting Assembly. Many Supreme God Monarchs had likely already arrived.

This was a grand event exclusively for supreme experts. Yun Che was an exception—though perhaps not the only one.

Each God Monarch was a supreme being who looked down upon all other life, ruling as king over their respective upper star realms. To compel all God Monarchs from an entire star region to attend such an event, only the Heaven Smiting God Realm—with its immense power and prestige—could likely achieve this within the Eastern Divine Region.

Even the air in the Heaven Smiting God Realm exuded an unspeakable sanctity and grandeur; every step felt like treading upon the highest celestial palace. As they looked, the Heaven Smiting Gate gradually drew closer, and they could already see the figures of the disciples guarding it.

At that moment, Yun Che's gaze shifted to his right, where two figures were approaching, moving significantly faster than him and his master.

One of these two figures was surprisingly familiar to Yun Che.

It was a seemingly young man whose appearance was exactly as before. He wore dazzlingly luxurious golden robes, was exceptionally handsome, exuded nobility with a hint of wickedness, and his gaze was calm yet arrogant—even in this Heaven Smiting Star Realm.

At first glance—especially at those still-blinding golden robes—Yun Che's mind instantly recalled his identity and name.

Wu Guike, from the Divine Martial Realm!

Although he hadn't met this noble young master from the Divine Martial Realm many times, they had quite a history. Back then, Wu Guike had been a great benefactor, helping him pass the first two rounds of the Profound God Convention qualifiers!

To repay him, during the Conferred God Battle, Yun Che had very cleanly swept him off the Conferred God Stage with seven swords.

And the terrifying, eagle-eyed middle-aged man beside him must be his father, Wu Sanzun, the Realm King of the Divine Martial Realm!

Wait!

Wu Guike is here to attend the Heaven Smiting Assembly?

This meant... after three thousand years inside the Heaven Smiting Pearl, he had actually become a God Monarch?!

Yun Che secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. He wondered if the Heaven Smiting Pearl was simply too powerful, or if the Divine Martial Realm’s ancestors had been incredibly fortunate, as this generation of the Divine Martial Realm actually boasted two God Monarchs simultaneously!

As Yun Che spotted him, Wu Guike also caught sight of Yun Che. His gaze instantly fixed, his expression abruptly turned stern, then immediately softened, returning to an arrogant look.

"Isn't this Yun Che, who was first in the Conferred God Battle and even drew down nine levels of lightning tribulation? You're actually still alive." Wu Guike spoke indifferently, but his half-closed eyes and the mocking smile on his face revealed undisguised arrogance and nonchalance.

His posture clearly showed him looking down on a lowly and insignificant being.

Wu Sanzun glanced sideways, frowning slightly when he saw Yun Che.

"Oh?" Yun Che, as if just noticing Wu Guike, immediately chuckled and said, "So it's Young Master Wu from the Divine Martial Realm. It's been a few years; I hope you've been well."

"He's actually already a Divine King!" Wu Sanzun murmured, looking at Yun Che, his heart shaken.

Wu Guike's eyebrow twitched slightly, but he immediately offered a faint smile, praising Yun Che with a condescending air: "Not bad, not bad. As expected of one of the Conferred Gods from back then, to achieve the Divine King realm so quickly. What a pity... what a pity."

He shook his head, letting out a sarcastic sigh: "Do you know what realm I am in now?"

Yun Che replied, "Since Young Master Wu can attend the Heaven Smiting Assembly, I presume you have already achieved the God Monarch realm?"

"Hahahaha!" Wu Guike burst out laughing, then said arrogantly, "You're clever. Do you know how powerful the strength I possess now truly is!"

He raised his hand, and a small golden vortex slowly condensed in his palm. Though small, its light was as thick and dazzling as a blazing sun. Simultaneously, the surrounding space became extremely distorted, and all auras frantically dissipated, forming a terrifyingly large vacuum domain around Wu Guike's body.

"This is a power that you, in your current state, can never imagine." He said slowly, "First in the Conferred God Battle? Very impressive! But unfortunately, in my eyes, you are nothing more than trash that can be easily crushed with half a finger, understand?"

Would a Supreme God Monarch ever pay attention to a Divine King?

Of course not.

However, the humiliation Yun Che had inflicted upon Wu Guike back then was truly immense. Even after three thousand years, seeing Yun Che again, the imprint of that shame still made him unable to restrain himself from reacting.

Yun Che rolled his eyes. Although this guy possessed astonishing talent, this was all he amounted to.

Not seeing the fear, envy, or subservience he wanted from Yun Che, but instead an indifferent attitude, Wu Guike instantly became extremely displeased. However, this was the Heaven Smiting God Realm; even as a God Monarch, he certainly wouldn't dare cause trouble here.

At that moment, his gaze fell upon Mu Xuanyin. Although he only saw her profile, his eyes instantly fixed, and he froze for a full three breaths.

"Hehe, hahahaha." Wu Guike suddenly burst into laughter: "No wonder you rejected the olive branches offered by two Divine Emperors back then, foolishly clinging instead to a small middle star realm. So it turns out you have such a beautiful, fairy-like master."

"I've long heard that Mu Xuanyin, the Snow Song Realm King, is the most beautiful woman in the Northern Region of the Eastern Divine Region, and it's truly well-deserved. To have such a beautiful master by your side all day—if it were me, I probably wouldn't bear to leave either, hahahahaha!"

Yun Che exhaled softly, looking at Wu Guike with a hint of pity.

*Sigh*, isn't it good to be alive? Why must your mouth be so vulgar? You surely don't know that Luo Guxie's arm was just twisted off by my master.

What greatly surprised Yun Che was that Mu Xuanyin showed no reaction or emotion, not even glancing sideways at Wu Guike.

"Guike, this is the Heaven Smiting Realm. Don't cause trouble." After his gaze swept over Yun Che and Mu Xuanyin, lingering quite long on Mu Xuanyin, Wu Sanzun turned around and said, "Let's go."

Wu Guike gave a faint smile, then his scornful gaze, as if looking at an ant, left Yun Che. He no longer bothered to look at him as he followed Wu Sanzun towards the Heaven Smiting Gate.

"As expected of the Heaven Smiting Divine Realm; even this guy can become a God Monarch." Yun Che looked at Wu Guike's excessively arrogant back, sighing with a hint of envy.

"The Heaven Smiting Divine Realm's aura level far surpasses that of the God Realm. Whether it's cultivation speed or breakthroughs between minor and major realms, it's incomparable to the outside world. Among the 'Chosen Children' who entered the Heaven Smiting Divine Realm back then, nineteen have achieved God Monarch status," Mu Xuanyin said coldly. "And more than half of those who haven't reached the God Monarch realm have become Divine Sovereigns."

She glanced at Yun Che, then suddenly asked, "Do you regret not being able to enter the Heaven Smiting Divine Realm?"

"No," Yun Che shook his head without hesitation. "Absolutely no regrets! On the contrary, I'm immensely grateful."

Mu Xuanyin knew why he said that.

Achieving God Monarch status undoubtedly placed Wu Guike in a supreme position in the current era. Standing at such a height naturally brought about earth-shattering changes to his status in the Divine Martial Realm, and his attitude towards the world was also completely different from before.

Especially with both father and son being from the Divine Martial Realm... An upper star realm capable of having two God Monarchs simultaneously indeed had reason to be proud, even among the King Realms.

After all, the Glazed Light Realm, currently ranking first among upper star realms, only had three God Monarchs.

With Wu Sanzun and his son in front, and Mu Xuanyin and her disciple behind, the Heaven Smiting Gate was soon close at hand.

Upon seeing Wu Sanzun and his son, a Heaven Smiting disciple, serving as a greeter, stepped forward with a calm demeanor and nodded slightly to them: "Welcome, esteemed guests from the Divine Martial Realm..."

Before he finished speaking, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Mu Xuanyin and her disciple behind them. His expression instantly froze, his eyes brightened considerably, and he no longer paid attention to the two God Monarchs from the Divine Martial Realm. He darted forward with a "swoosh," zipping between Wu Sanzun and his son, and arrived in front of Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che.

He bowed respectfully and solemnly saluted: "Are the two esteemed guests the Snow Song Realm King, Mu Xuanyin, and Young Master Yun Che?"

Wu Sanzun and Wu Guike turned around, both looking utterly bewildered.

Mu Xuanyin nodded slightly: "Indeed."

The Heaven Smiting disciple immediately bowed even lower, respectfully saying, "I am Kong Lingzi, a Heaven Smiting greeting disciple, and I have been awaiting both esteemed guests for a long time. My lord has commanded that upon your arrival, you are to proceed directly to the main hall, where my lord will personally receive you."

"Please." He stepped aside, his waist remaining half-bowed.

Mu Xuanyin nodded slightly, leading Yun Che forward, walking past the dumbfounded Wu Sanzun and his son, and entering the Heaven Smiting Gate.

Kong Lingzi followed closely, respectfully trailing behind the two. It was clear he intended to personally guide them into the main hall. Only after entering the Heaven Smiting Gate did he suddenly remember the presence of Wu Sanzun and his son. He turned around and said, "Esteemed guests from the Divine Martial Realm, please enter as well."

Casually tossing out that remark, he quickly took a few steps to catch up with Mu Xuanyin and her disciple, no longer paying the others any mind.

Wu Sanzun and Wu Guike, however, remained standing there, dumbfounded, not moving for a long time, as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

Upon entering the Heaven Smiting Realm, Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che were led directly to the main hall by the greeting disciple, where they met the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor.

"Snow Song Realm King, and Yun Che, you have arrived." Seeing them, the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor smiled and rose to greet them.

After exchanging greetings, Yun Che asked, "Senior, have you specifically summoned me because you wish for this junior to purify your devilish energy again?"

"Hehe, I did have that intention earlier," the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor replied with a smile. "However, the assembly is in three days, so I fear there won't be much free time. Moreover, the devilish energy hasn't shown any signs of acting up recently. Everything can wait until after the Heaven Smiting Assembly."

After speaking, he sighed slightly.

The Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor had been constantly burdened by immense pessimism and despair during this period. The heaviness in his heart was something no one else could comprehend.

"However," the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor continued, "the group from the Brahma Monarch God Realm arrived the day before yesterday. I specifically informed Qianye Fantian that you cultivate light profound energy and have purified my devilish energy. Knowing of your arrival, he will certainly ask for your help. Letting him owe you a considerable favor will be greatly beneficial to your future; I believe you understand my meaning."

Yun Che nodded heavily: "This junior understands. Thank you for your kindness, Senior."

"Mm." The Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor nodded and called out, "Sulu!"

A woman answered, bowing respectfully, "Father King."

Her address made Yun Che glance sideways. This woman was, astonishingly, one of the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor's children.

"You are to personally settle the Snow Song Realm King and Young Master Yun Che, our two esteemed guests," the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor instructed. He then looked at them and added, "While you are in the Heaven Smiting Realm, there's no need to feel constrained. If you have any needs, feel free to give orders."

"Yes," the Heaven Smiting daughter named Sulu responded solemnly, her eyes showing surprise, but she asked no further questions.

Upon leaving the main hall, Yun Che felt quite emotional. He clearly understood that the Heaven Smiting Divine Emperor's exceptional treatment of them was only partly due to him purifying the devilish energy. The more important reason was the world-shaking power Mu Xuanyin had displayed before him that day.

This was the most basic reality, the most fundamental law.

Not long after leaving the main hall, two familiar figures walked towards Yun Che from the front.

The old man in front wore blue robes, his face fair and gentle, his hair and beard as white as snow, and his eyes were as serene as an ancient well that had been silent for ten thousand years. With his hands clasped behind his back, his hair and beard fluttering, and his robes billowing, he resembled an ancient immortal who had accidentally stepped into the mortal world.

The woman beside him had moth-like eyebrows and starlike eyes. Dressed in white robes and carrying an ancient sword, she looked as if she had stepped out of an immortal painting. Seeing Yun Che, she suddenly stopped, her brows instantly furrowing: "Yun Che!"

As those two short words left her mouth, a surge of sword intent, like a silent tsunami, completely engulfed the vast surrounding space.