Chapter 1936: Nightmare Abyss (Part 1)

If Xia Yuanba had merely revealed his connection to Yun Che, the Mid-Realm King who had just offered to take him as a direct disciple would have instantly been scared out of his wits.

But he didn't want that. In this new world, at this new beginning, he intended to grow step by step, charting his own course with his own efforts.

“Good,” Yun Che said, naturally respecting his choice. In Xia Yuanba’s eyes, he saw a deeply hidden fervor. As his Tyrant Emperor Divine Veins gradually awakened, his desire for power, along with a matching sense of pride, intensified.

Yun Che believed it wouldn't be long before Xia Yuanba’s formidable reputation, forged entirely by his own efforts, would be widely known.

“Yuanba, take this.”

In Yun Che’s hand was a jade stone reflecting a faint red glow—it was the very last Qiankun Jade he possessed.

“It’s called a Qiankun Jade. Wear it. If you ever encounter an insurmountable crisis in the future, no matter where you are, it can teleport you to Imperial Cloud City within mere moments.”

He had three Qiankun Jades: one given to Yun Wuxin, one to Jun Xilei, and this last one, he chose to bestow upon Xia Yuanba.

Such a divine spatial artifact, equivalent to an extra life, was something no one could refuse. Yet, Xia Yuanba immediately waved his hand. “No, no need. I’ve seen how difficult spatial travel is in the God Realm. Something this precious shouldn’t be wasted on me; it would be better for Wuxin.”

“Besides,” Xia Yuanba stated with a serious expression, “if I truly die in the God Realm someday, it will be due to my fate or lack of strength, and I will accept it completely.”

This time, however, Yun Che did not acquiesce. Instead, he firmly affixed the Qiankun Jade to Xia Yuanba’s waist with his profound energy.

“Yuanba, I know your path ahead will be resolute and fearless, but I don’t want you to risk your life too recklessly. If something truly happens to you in the future… I would never find peace again.”

Xia Yuanba opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately did not refuse the Qiankun Jade again.

Yun Che smiled. “You can still call me brother-in-law, just like before.”

“Ah?” Xia Yuanba’s reaction to this statement was far more intense than any before; his expression clearly showed excitement. “Rea…really? Brother-in-law… er, Brother-in-law, do you… no longer hate my sister as much?”

“Hate?” Yun Che’s gaze shifted as he chuckled faintly. “I have no right to hate her. Never.”

Xia Yuanba was utterly bewildered.

During his time in the God Realm, he had come to know “everything” about his sister. After all, the name Xia Qingyue was indeed known to everyone there… He knew his sister was the Moon God Emperor, that she had tried to kill Yun Che with her own hands on multiple occasions, and that she had even personally destroyed the Blue Pole Star…

He also knew that it was Yun Che who had personally… brought about her end.

When they met this time, he hadn’t called Yun Che “brother-in-law” again, not because he was unwilling or resentful, but because he felt… he was no longer worthy.

“What she left me was not hatred, but an unpayable debt that will last forever.”

Unable to explain too much to Xia Yuanba, he patted his shoulder and said with utmost seriousness, “Yuanba, from now on, no matter when or where, you must treat yourself well. Remember this: you have never owed anyone anything, but this world owes you a great deal.”

Yun Che departed, leaving Xia Yuanba standing stunned, his heartstrings vibrating for a long time, and his strong eyes clouded with emotion.

Although Yun Che hadn’t fully explained, his words were enough for Xia Yuanba to understand that his sister was not the cruel and heartless villain of common rumor…

The heavy burden of guilt and the knot in his heart dissipated amidst his overwhelming emotions.

Profound Sky Continent, Flowing Cloud City.

The morning at the Xiao Clan was as tranquil as ever.

Xiao Lingxi was quietly folding clothes, piece by piece. They looked somewhat old and occasionally showed signs of wear, but all were immaculately clean. These were all clothes that Yun Che wore in his youth. Now, Yun Che was the Cloud Emperor, adorned in the most lavish attire, and no longer had any use for these old clothes. Yet, Xiao Lingxi never had the heart to discard them; instead, she would often pick them up, refold them, and tidy them with care.

Back then, the Yun Che who wore these clothes was hers alone.

Now, however, he stood at the pinnacle of this world, no longer needing to rely on her, nor able to stay by her side as constantly as before. Nearly a year had passed since he took Yun Wuxin with him to the God Realm, and they hadn't seen each other since.

At that moment, her hand paused. She suddenly sensed something and instinctively turned around.

In her line of sight, Yun Che stood there, gazing at her affectionately. He might have been standing there quietly for a long time.

“Little Che,” Xiao Lingxi softly called out. But before she could say anything more, the figure in her eyes rapidly approached, and then gently pulled her into an embrace.

“Ah…” Xiao Lingxi let out a soft gasp. After a moment of surprise, her arms gently encircled his back. “You’re back… Is your journey to the God Realm with Wuxin over?”

“Not yet,” Yun Che replied, his eyes closed. He held her tightly, his arms gently tightening around her.

“Oh? Did something happen?” Xiao Lingxi asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Yun Che shook his head. “No. It’s just… I suddenly missed you terribly, so I came back.”

“…Mm.” Xiao Lingxi didn’t ask further, responding with a soft hum.

One never knew what “surprise” the world might deliver in the next moment.

The woman in his arms, his “little aunt” who had grown up alongside him, was the reincarnation of the Ancestral God…

He, a mere mortal, had caused the Ancestral God to significantly diminish herself to achieve his purpose…

Perhaps this was the most absurd event that had ever occurred in the entire Primal Chaos Realm since the Ancestral God created the world.

He found no words to express his feelings. All he could do was hold Xiao Lingxi tightly, then even tighter…

With the Ancestral Will’s slumber, she would no longer experience those hazy “dreams,” nor would she ever know she was the Ancestral God… she would remain the purest Xiao Lingxi.

After this life concluded, the Ancestral God would enter her next reincarnation. Once merged with the Ancestral Will, “Xiao Lingxi” would become an insignificant fragment of memory in her Ancestral existence, and Yun Che’s presence would be nothing more than a slightly unique speck of dust in the vast cosmos, unable to interact with her as he did in this lifetime.

And once his own life ended, he would be eternally extinguished.

A sentence recorded in the ancient Dragon God texts stated that with the collapse of the Well of Reincarnation, “there would be no more reincarnation in the world.”

With the demise of the Age of Gods, “reincarnation” had long since ceased. His own “reincarnation” back then was a special case, facilitated by the Ancestral God’s power activating the Mirror of Samsara.

With the Ancestral Will now dormant, such “special cases” would never occur again.

Therefore…

…in this one and only life, he must give the Ancestral God—no, his Lingxi—the most fulfilling companionship, leaving no regrets.

Another year swiftly passed.

The most significant event in the God Realm during this year was undoubtedly Emperor Yun’s announcement of establishing two empresses: Chi Wuyao as the Devil Empress, and simultaneously… posthumously honoring the late Xia Qingyue as the Divine Empress.

He also announced the temporary suspension of the Imperial Realm’s construction, dedicating the combined might of all realms to rebuilding the Moon God Realm.

The proclamation offered no explanation, not a single word, yet it undeniably sparked countless speculations and rumors.

For the Moon Gods and Moon God Envoys, this year felt like a dream from which they could not awaken.

After years of hiding, they were not met with Emperor Yun’s retribution but with an invitation to return… The former Empress was posthumously honored as the Divine Empress, and the reconstruction of the Moon God Realm truly proceeded as he had announced, with all available power poured into it. Yun Che personally selected the most suitable star realm, and the reconstruction proceeded with a swiftness and a scale of invested human resources and immense resources that far exceeded anything any Moon God could have imagined.

In just one year, though the newly built Divine Moon City could not replicate the former grandeur of moonlight in the heavens, it had already taken on a clear outline. Concurrently, for almost half of that year, Yun Che remained within this nascent Moon God Realm, silently watching it gradually assume the contours of his memories.

In the Primal Chaos Divine Realm, near the Abyss of Nothingness.

Space tore, yet the sound produced was merely a fleeting, soft hum.

Jun Xilei slowly turned, her nameless sword remaining sheathed on her back. Yet, within a hundred-mile radius around her, the space was filled with the radiant glow of nameless sword energy.

In her years within the Primal Chaos Divine Realm, her profound energy had barely progressed, yet her mastery over Extreme Dao Sword Qi had begun to enter a profoundly different realm of mystical understanding.

Witnessing her sword that severed space without a trace, a lasting smile of profound relief appeared on Jun Wuming’s face.

His complexion was ruddy, his eyes clear, and compared to the previous year, he seemed to have grown much younger.

Jun Xilei landed and approached Jun Wuming. “Master, I have finally… truly touched that realm you spoke of.”

“Hehe,” Jun Wuming smiled. “You took only a little over three thousand years to reach this realm, far surpassing my own progress in those days. Leier, to have you as my successor in this lifetime is the greatest fortune of my entire life.”

“No, meeting Master has been this disciple’s greatest fortune in life,” Jun Xilei said, bowing deeply.

“To have witnessed that scene just now, and with no regrets, I can only offer my deepest gratitude to the heavens.” He lowered his eyes, his smile undiminished. “It is time for us, master and disciple, to bid farewell.”

“…!!” Jun Xilei abruptly looked up, her eyes instantly brimming with tears. “Mas…ter?”

Jun Wuming raised his arm; his skin showed no signs of age, but was instead covered with a layer of crystalline luminescence.

The sword intent, embodying his life’s will, surged forth as if substantial, seemingly aware that it was about to completely dissipate into the heavens and earth.

“There’s no need for sadness,” Jun Wuming said with a faint smile. “I will depart without any regrets. For these past few years, you’ve stayed here with this old man. After I’m gone, you should finally go pursue the life you desire… Be as persistent and fervent as you are with your sword, and leave no regrets for yourself.”

Kneeling on both knees, Jun Xilei was already sobbing uncontrollably. “Disciple… will obey… Master’s teachings…”

A gust of wind blew through, but it carried an unnatural turbulence that should not have been present there.

Jun Xilei, consumed by grief, did not notice it.

But this anomalous wind did not dissipate after passing; instead, it grew more agitated as it swirled, eventually causing the very space to tremble.

Jun Xilei looked up in astonishment. In her eyes, which reflected both lightning and sword gleams, one subtle spatial crack after another clearly appeared.

“!?” Jun Wuming’s expression, usually as calm as an ancient pine, also shifted at that moment.

Rumble!

Boom! Boom!

BOOOOOOOM—

The spatial turbulence lasted only a few moments, immediately followed by terrifying, unparalleled spatial explosions!

This was the world of the Primal Chaos Divine Realm, space bordering the Abyss of Nothingness!

Vision distorted amidst the tremors, and spatial cracks burst open and spread like wildfire… This sudden, terrifying phenomenon was a spatial disaster almost exclusively seen during battles between Divine Emperors.

It was then that Jun Xilei was horrified to realize that this sudden anomaly was radiating from the direction of the Abyss of Nothingness.

“Retreat, quickly!” Jun Wuming exclaimed in a low voice.

Jun Xilei, as if waking from a dream, gathered her profound energy and swiftly carried Jun Wuming away, fleeing at extreme speed… But behind them, the spatial collapse intensified, like surging waves threatening to devour all life, relentlessly pursuing them.