Chapter 1952: Loyalty and the Dog

Huoyun Potian was widely hailed as an unparalleled genius in the Eastern Divine Region, a legend destined to be remembered for eternity in the Middle Star Realm, and the first Upper Realm King to be permanently recorded in the annals of the Flame God Realm. Yet, he was never boastful or arrogant, and rarely appeared in public.

The most prevalent rumor about him in the God Realm was that he shared a rather complicated history of grievances with Yun Che, which kept him perpetually overshadowed by the Cloud Emperor. Nevertheless, they never imagined that Huoyun Potian's true potential and future would be so astonishingly terrifying.

Surpassing all Upper Realm Kings... and even the God Emperors!

Huoyun Potian was also momentarily stunned, and the three sect masters of the Flame God Sect behind him were equally dumbfounded. He immediately reacted, bowing deeply and speaking with fervent emotion: "I thank Your Excellency for your words of recognition. Potian is deeply humbled. In the future... if I can be guided by Your Excellency to step into a higher realm, Potian will forever remember Your Excellency's great benevolence and would gladly die a thousand deaths to repay it."

"Hmph!" Mo Beichen spoke coldly, "Such empty words are unnecessary before me. I acknowledge you simply because you are worthy! If you are fortunate enough to serve the Abyss Emperor in the future, absolute loyalty and an unblemished will shall be your only appropriate repayment!"

"Yes!" Huoyun Potian responded firmly. Although it was just one word, anyone could sense the immense excitement and fervent desire within it.

"Very good." Huoyun Potian's current emotions seemed to please Mo Beichen. At this moment, he slowly turned around, facing Huoyun Potian directly. It was the first time today he had directly faced a person from this world.

"Though your cultivation is not yet sufficient, your unique divine inheritance and potential are enough for me to make an exception." Mo Beichen's tone was slow and solemn, causing everyone to hold their breath. "Huoyun Potian, I shall now take you as my attendant knight. When the Abyss takes control of this world, I will introduce you to the divine officials. What is your response?"

He paid no mind to Huoyun Potian's "lowly" origin, nor did he inquire about his past or seek to understand his character, good or evil. His uniqueness was entirely sufficient for Mo Beichen. So unique that Mo Beichen was eager to act, lest Huoyun Potian become an attendant knight to another Abyss Knight in the future.

Gulp!

The throats and hearts of countless people convulsed violently. Huoyun Potian first froze in place, then, overwhelmed with emotion, immediately fell to his knees, bowing his head and saying, "Potian thanks Your Excellency for this great honor! To be able to follow a figure such as Your Excellency is a glory Potian never dared to dream of in this life. Henceforth, Potian will serve by Your Excellency's side with all his heart, taking Your Excellency's will as..."

"Silence," Mo Beichen interrupted him coldly. "I will teach you how to become a true Abyss Knight in the future, and that includes speaking fewer of these useless pleasantries!" He turned away. "Come to my side. Although no ceremony has been performed, since you are to be my attendant knight, how can you stand on equal footing with these lowly people of this world?"

"Yes!" Huoyun Potian indeed ceased speaking nonsense, hurriedly rose, and then, with clear excitement and trepidation, approached Mo Beichen as instructed. He then carefully positioned himself about a foot away from Mo Beichen, a body length lower in the air.

Everyone's surreptitious glances towards Huoyun Potian had now turned into gazes of reverence. This person, who was merely a "youngster" in their eyes moments ago, had in the blink of an eye become an existence they could only look up to. The unpredictable vicissitudes of fate were vividly displayed. The sudden arrival of the Abyss beings was undoubtedly a great calamity for this world and its inhabitants. But for Huoyun Potian, it had become an opportunity beyond their wildest dreams.

Below, the auras of the three sect masters of the Flame God Sect could no longer remain calm, and the gazes directed at them had unquestionably undergone a monumental change.

"Congratulations, three sect masters, congratulations to the Flame God Realm." A group of Upper Realm Kings, who ordinarily wouldn't even deign to look a Divine Master in the eye, now proactively approached, their demeanor full of warmth and deference. "Truly worthy of being a heaven-defying prodigy nurtured by the three sect masters. I knew long ago that the Flame God Realm King would one day break through the firmament and ascend to the heavens."

"There are countless geniuses in the world, but only Realm King Potian has earned the appreciation of the Abyss Exalted. This is not merely the glory of the Flame God Realm, but the glory of the entire God Realm..."

"When the Abyss merges with this world in the future, the Eastern Divine Region will likely... certainly be led by the Flame God Realm. We offer our congratulations to the three sect masters in advance."

One after another, the Upper Realm Kings of the Eastern Divine Region flocked closer, vying for attention, each with a beaming smile, as if they couldn't exhaust all their words of praise. Yan Wancang, Yan Juehai, and Huo Rulie responded vaguely, their gazes becoming increasingly distant, as if they were trapped in a deep dream from which they couldn't awaken. No one found their dazed demeanor strange. After all, such a huge surprise was enough to stun anyone.

Only no one knew that their extremely complex emotions were filled with Huoyun Potian's ruthless words spoken just before his arrival: "I, Huoyun Potian, never bowed even an inch before Yun Che, who commanded awe across the entire world. How could I... kneel before an outsider hyena?!" Every word he spoke was gritted through his teeth, and in the depths of his pupils, scorching flames, like an enraged sun from the Nine Heavens, blazed.

They looked up at Huoyun Potian in the sky. His aura and expression, clearly in a state of continuous excitement, quickly put their hearts at ease. *Potian, this world-overturning calamity has become an immense opportunity for you, one that can transform your destiny. Given this, you surely have no reason to make any foolish moves now, right?*

"Hahahahaha, congratulations, Exalted One, on acquiring an attendant knight!"

A burst of hearty laughter echoed from afar. In the presence of Mo Beichen, and in such an atmosphere, only one person in the entire world could laugh so unrestrainedly... Cang Shitian! Formerly the Cloud Emperor's most loyal subordinate. Now, Mo Beichen's foremost lackey. The status and power the Cloud Emperor and Devil Queen had granted him over the years had now entirely become his capital for displaying loyalty to Mo Beichen.

The Sea Gods and Divine Envoys of the Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm all turned back excitedly, the fate of the Azure Sea Realm resting entirely in Cang Shitian's hands. A slight ripple finally appeared in Cang Shuhua's beautiful eyes.

Cang Shitian quickly approached, then bowed respectfully, "Your subordinate Cang Shitian greets the Abyss Exalted. My delay in arriving was to congratulate you on today's ceremony, and I have specially prepared a small gift for Your Excellency."

Cang Shitian had not come alone. Following him were not order maintainers, but a deep blue barrier shimmering with pure watery light. The Azure Sea Barrier! Through the deep blue watery light, locked within, was the silhouette of an unconscious woman. She was clad in snow-white robes, her long hair like night, and her exquisitely carved features were subtly contorted, clearly indicating she had endured a painful struggle before losing consciousness.

Upon seeing this woman, everyone present's expression drastically changed, and many even gasped aloud. That was clearly the Cloud Emperor's only daughter, and the sole Imperial Princess of extremely noble status in this world... Yun Wuxin!

"Wuxin..." Cang Shuhua softly murmured, her arm tightly gripped by Ruixi, who then shook her head forcefully, imploring her not to act rashly. That was her husband's daughter; if she fell into Mo Beichen's hands, there would be no escape from death. Yet, the one who brought her was her dearest and most respected elder brother.

"..." Without making any impulsive move, Cang Shuhua closed her eyes, her silently clenched lips rapidly losing color.

To the north, Yan Wu stepped forward, two shadows of the Yama Devil Spears forming in her pupils. "She can't be saved, and this isn't the time." Fen Daoqi's voice sounded in her ear, calm but with a low chill, "Since we never intended to leave alive, let our deaths be somewhat meaningful. At the very least, let future generations, even if completely devoured by the Abyss, forever remember that... though the Cloud Emperor ruled for a short time, he had loyal blood under him capable of staining the sky crimson, and not merely a pack of cowardly dogs afraid of death!"

Yan Wu's toes were fixed firmly to the ground... After a long pause, she finally slowly retracted them.

The Azure Sea Barrier was widely recognized as the strongest protective barrier in the Southern Divine Region. This particular Azure Sea Barrier was not only personally set up by Cang Shitian, but its immense power indicated that he had poured all his strength into it to seal Yun Wuxin, making it seem quite exaggerated. It also ensured that she had absolutely no chance of escape.

Mo Beichen glanced sidelong, his gaze sweeping over Yun Wuxin for an extremely brief moment. "This is your 'small gift'?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency," Cang Shitian said with an obsequious expression, "Although this woman's cultivation is shallow, her identity is precisely that of Yun Che's only daughter."

"..." Mo Beichen's expression remained unchanged.

Cang Shitian leaned forward and continued, "She has been very well hidden lately, and your subordinate expended considerable effort to find her. Yun Che cherishes this girl immensely, valuing her as his own life. If he learns she has fallen into this place, given my understanding of him, he will certainly come here at all costs to walk into a trap. At that time, Your Excellency can capture him effortlessly."

"Brother..." Cang Shuhua murmured, her entire body feeling utterly powerless.

Qilin Tianli's eyebrow twitched; he was well aware that Cang Shitian's flattery had precisely backfired.

CRACK!

Mo Beichen did not move, yet a terrifying wave of energy violently pierced the air and slammed fiercely into Cang Shitian's face. With a loud bang, both of Cang Shitian's cheekbones simultaneously caved in violently. He was sent tumbling sideways, plowing a deep trench several miles long in the ground. He seemed to be stunned there; it was several breaths later before Cang Shitian finally scrambled to his feet. Blood streamed from his nostrils and the corners of his mouth, his face was purplish-black like congealed blood, presenting an utterly hideous and wretched sight.

After rising, he hurriedly stumbled back to his knees. "Your Excellency, please calm your wrath. Your... Your subordinate does not know what mistake he has committed. I beg Your Excellency to enlighten me."

Mo Beichen's strike left everyone wide-eyed and terrified. Mo Beichen's silver armor reflected a chilling light, and his indifferent words sent shivers down their souls. "For me to capture a mere Yun Che is but the flick of a finger; what need is there for such base actions? This is an insult to me. Do you know what crime it is to insult an Abyss Knight?!"

"Your subordinate absolutely did not mean that, nor would I ever dare to have such an intention!" Cang Shitian trembled all over with fright and kowtowed heavily. He dared not wipe away the bruises on his face, and with his face full of bloodstains and purplish-black, he cried out with utmost sincerity, "Taking Yun Che's daughter captive was solely my own action; Your Excellency gave no instruction for it whatsoever. Furthermore, this action of your subordinate held no intention of questioning Your Excellency's divine might. Rather... rather, compared to Your Excellency, Yun Che is but an ant beneath the heavens; why would Your Excellency need even a finger to obliterate him? However, he does possess the profound heavenly treasure, the Universe Needle, protecting him, which is why he has repeatedly escaped. Your subordinate privately believes that a mere Yun Che is simply not worthy of Your Excellency expending any extra effort, so I took the liberty of resorting to this inferior tactic."

He raised his head, his face seemingly showing only fear, not regret. "It is known throughout the world that your subordinate, Cang Shitian, has always been a 'dirty person,' most adept at handling 'dirty deeds.' And there are many things in this world that are far more convenient and effective when handled with 'dirtier' methods. Of course, Your Excellency disdains such methods, but your subordinate is capable. As long as it can alleviate Your Excellency's concerns, your subordinate will stop at nothing. Moreover, even the dirtiest stains will only fall upon your subordinate, and will absolutely not tarnish Your Excellency's reputation in the slightest."

At this point, Cang Shitian's lips slightly parted into a grin. "After your subordinate captured this woman, I have already spread the news with all my might. Yun Che will surely hear of it." A flicker of inexplicable malice crossed his eyes. "He... will definitely come! At that time, it will be your subordinate's 'dirty hands' that lure him, and Your Excellency's divine might that captures him."

"..." Mo Beichen's aura remained still, and he did not strike to punish again.

Qilin Tianli said, "Your Excellency, whether it's regarding knowledge and control of the God Realm's various domains, or methods of operation, Cang Shitian is an indispensable person. Many things that Your Excellency disdains to touch can be entrusted to him. This is also why Yun Che and the Devil Queen valued him so highly. With his utmost efforts, it will be much smoother for Your Excellency to present a perfectly submissive world to His Majesty the Abyss Emperor upon his divine arrival."

"Hmph!" Mo Beichen grunted indifferently, lowering his brows and speaking in a low voice, "You had better not let your filth splash onto me!"

Half warning, half tacit approval. Cang Shitian immediately bowed and promised, "Rest assured, Your Excellency. Even if your subordinate had ten thousand times the courage, I would never dare to overstep my bounds in the slightest. Otherwise, without need for Your Excellency's punishment, your subordinate would atone with a thousand deaths."

"Withdraw." Mo Beichen's gaze proudly shifted away, no longer looking at Cang Shitian, nor did he spare another glance at Yun Wuxin.

Cang Shitian quickly rose, and after retreating a few steps, he instantly appeared before the people of the Ten Directions Azure Sea Realm. His approach immediately caused a stir among the Sea Gods and Divine Envoys. Cang Shuhua's beautiful eyes subtly shifted, looking at the person closest to her, the one she respected most and knew best in this life, yet she no longer knew how to face him.

"Brother..." she softly called out, her voice mixed with a myriad of emotions.

Cang Shitian's face was a mess, but when facing Cang Shuhua, he completely shed his previous humble demeanor, instead exuding formidable imperial prestige. He slowly extended his hand, "Shuhua, return the Azure Sea Divine Pearl to me." Every word was cold and authoritative, brooking no refusal.