Chapter 2010: Holding Gratitude to Seek Reward

Turbulent dust and sandstorms swept Yun Che's roar, carrying it towards the distant space.

Yet, in the very next moment, the surroundings suddenly fell into an eerie and terrifying silence. Sounds no longer spread, quicksand ceased to swirl, and the dust and sandstorms froze in place. The entire world seemed to have been suddenly sealed, as only a yellow Kirin radiance diffused, enveloping the surrounding thousand miles of space.

A majestic aura, vast as the endless deep sea, enveloped Yun Che... However, no alarm appeared on Yun Che's face; instead, a great sense of relief settled in his heart. This aura was immensely powerful, as expected, and as weighty as a collapsing sky. But there was no ferocity, no anger, and no murderous intent... With this, he had largely succeeded.

His gaze swept towards the distance, where the continuously diffusing yellow Kirin radiance had actually formed a colossal profound light palace. His position was precisely at the center of this enormous palace. A record in his memory was sharply recalled. In the Age of Gods, the strongest defensive divine powers under the Creation Gods were the Black Tortoise's Profound Mechanism Pagoda and the Kirin God's Kirin Holy Temple. Could this be the Kirin Holy Temple from ancient records, known to every god in the Age of Gods!?

Within this 'Kirin Holy Temple', the world outside the hall seemed to have vanished. Sounds, auras, even light... It was as if the entire world now consisted only of this yellow hall, with everything else eternally gone. Yun Che secretly attempted to extend his divine sense beyond the 'hall', but all he encountered was utter void. Two-way isolation... and it was utterly bone-chilling. To such a terrifying extent, even if a life-and-death battle raged inside the 'hall', not a single sound would be heard, nor a wisp of aura detected, from just ten steps outside. Earth energy focuses on protection, and isolation is undoubtedly a form of protective power. At this moment, for the first time in his life, Yun Che so clearly perceived how terrifying the power of ultimate isolation could be.

In the space ahead, a pair of colossal eyes slowly appeared. These divine eyes were tens of feet wide and nearly circular. Their pupils resembled ancient weathered rocks, yet glowed with a jade-like luminescence. The massive pupils were like bottomless rocky abysses, clearly reflecting Yun Che's figure. Yun Che's appearance, gaze, aura, power... Everything about him was sealed within the Kirin Holy Temple and under its scrutiny.

Yun Che took a step forward and slightly bowed: "Junior Yun Che is deeply honored to finally meet Senior Kirin God." Beyond the formality, his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant. The world remained in a terrifying silence, as even Yun Che's voice seemed to be drawn into an invisible black hole. Receiving no response, Yun Che was not flustered. He calmly met the gaze of the Kirin's divine eyes ahead, allowing the boundless divine sense to repeatedly probe his external and internal aura.

Finally, a majestic, profound, and ancient voice resounded simultaneously in his ears and soul sea: "A mere human Divine Sovereign, how dare you disturb my slumber. Do you wish to be buried forever in this sand abyss!?" Yun Che calmly replied: "If Senior Kirin God wished to bury me in the sand abyss, it would take but a flick of a finger. But Senior will surely not do so, because I am the inheritor of Ni Xuan, the Element Creation God!"

He unleashed his profound energy; flames ignited in his left hand, ice condensed in his right, a whirlwind swirled beneath him, and lightning crackled around his body. Of course, he did not display his dark power. "One of the Element Creation God's elemental seeds is within your body. Whether my words are true or false, you should have the clearest answer the moment you sensed my aura."

In the Abyss, the place where Earth elemental energy was most concentrated and active, this single statement alone was enough for Yun Che to instantly think of the only missing Earth seed in the Evil God's profound veins. Aside from the Dragon God Race, all other beast races had been corrupted into Abyssal Beasts. Yet, this Kirin had survived to this day. Thus, a strong possibility was that the Evil God's seed had saved it. Now, facing this Kirin God so closely, his previous conjecture had become a complete reality. Just these eyes, overflowing with a radiant yellow divine light, were enough for him to clearly sense the Evil God's seed. Similarly, the Kirin God could instantly confirm that the power flowing through him belonged to the Element Creation God.

"You, are you from another world?" 'Another world' was what the beings of the Abyss endlessly yearned for as the 'Eternal Pure Land'. But when the Kirin God asked this question, there was not much shock or excitement in its tone, only a profound calmness, heavy as ten thousand mountains. "Yes." Though it was his greatest secret, one that should never be revealed, Yun Che responded without hesitation: "My purpose for coming here is to retrieve the elemental seed left within you. I hope Senior Kirin God will grant my request."

"Heh heh." A low chuckle resonated, shaking hearts and souls, and the Kirin God's eyes condensed with a pressure that seemed capable of crushing Yun Che's body: "What if you are the Element Creation God's inheritor? You are merely a human Divine Sovereign! The elemental seed you seek is indeed within me, and it has long been bound to my very life. If I hand it over to you, I will surely die. A mere human Divine Sovereign, what reason or qualification do you have to demand something tied to my life!'" This was the Kirin God's pressure; though clearly restrained, it was still utterly terrifying. For a Divine Sovereign, it was more than enough to crush them instantly. Yet, Yun Che, reflected in the Kirin God's eyes, still stood proudly, without a tremor in his body, nor even the slightest flicker of fear in his pupils.

He slowly said: "The reason you need, I will give it to you! Firstly," Yun Che's voice was unhurried, each word ringing clear despite the Kirin God's soul pressure: "The Abyss Dust's corruption of beast races in the Abyss far exceeds that of humans. Thus, apart from the Dragon God Race, who have relied on their powerful bodies and strength to survive until now, all other beast races of the Abyss have been corrupted into Abyssal Beasts, including your Kirin clan. Only you have survived to this day. And what has undoubtedly saved you until now is the elemental seed you obtained. Otherwise, you would have long perished or become an Abyssal Beast wandering the mist sea." The Kirin God's eyes remained still, but when Yun Che mentioned the words 'Abyssal Beasts', those abyss-like pupils visibly constricted... It seemed to be a wince of pain. "Therefore, it was the Element Creation God who saved your life, allowing you to continue the Kirin clan's radiance to this day. Such a profound kindness is difficult to repay even with one's whole being, let alone merely returning the object of this great kindness to his inheritor."

"Secondly!" Without waiting for the Kirin God's response, Yun Che continued: "The world I come from has no Abyss Dust, nor any disputes. Do you know why I would brave countless dangers to come to this world full of Abyss Dust and calamity?" Expectation gathered in the Kirin God's eyes; it awaited Yun Che's answer. Yun Che tilted his head back, his voice slowing, a look of remembrance on his face: "Back then, the Element Creation God, who had already become the Evil God, struggled for many years after the War of Gods and Devils, enduring the Myriad Tribulations Extinction Poison. It was then that he discovered the Abyss's abnormality. Therefore, before his demise, he cast an Evil God's seed—the elemental seed within you—into the Abyss. As one who inherited the Element Creation God's profound veins, I can naturally sense the whereabouts of the elemental seed. His actions back then were to guide me into the Abyss. Because only his power can save the myriad beings forced to survive in the Abyss!"

Yun Che extended his hand; the powers of water, fire, wind, and lightning all gathered in his palm. Gathering at the same time was also the Abyss Dust from the surrounding space. Abyss Dust was colorless and formless. However, in this space completely enveloped by the Kirin God's aura, the presence and movement of the Abyss Dust were incredibly clear to its divine sense.

Those already colossal pupils instantly expanded by nearly three times. "You... you can actually control Abyss Dust!" "Abyss Sovereign?!" He lowered his palm, and the Abyss Dust scattered. Yun Che's expression was as calm as before, his aura not even slightly disturbed, as if he had just done something incredibly simple: "Senior Ni Xuan is the Element Creation God, and Abyss Dust, in essence, is also a high-level element. While spirits of this age cannot control it, how could it be beyond the Element Creation God's power?'"

All of this, naturally, was Yun Che's fabrication. What allowed him to control Abyss Dust was the Void Law, which transcended all existing laws. But it was undoubtedly extremely useful for bluffing this Kirin God.

"Could this be true? Abyss Dust can be controlled! This is something even he couldn't do!" If it were merely words, the Kirin God would certainly not believe it. But the movement of Abyss Dust in Yun Che's palm was presented with absolute clarity in its perception.

Yun Che was very satisfied with the Kirin God's reaction, but his expression remained unwavering: "Because my elemental power is not yet complete, my control over Abyss Dust is quite limited. Once my power is sufficiently complete and strong, I can use the Element Creation God's power to transform this world of the Abyss, little by little, into a true Eternal Pure Land, fulfilling the Element Creation God's entrustment!'"

"Therefore!" His gaze was solemn and resolute: "Personally, you should repay the Element Creation God for extending your life. And for the world, you have no reason to abandon the future of this era."

Long silence ensued. But the world was no longer quiet. The dust mist before them rippled, and the quicksand beneath their feet also emitted rustling sounds... Every subtle sound and ripple was a tremor in the Kirin God's heart and soul.

"Heh heh heh heh!" The Kirin God began to laugh, still with that profound depth: "This elemental seed was not personally bestowed by the Element Creation God, but rather obtained by me by chance. How can it be considered a great kindness? In the world of the Abyss, all beings are selfish. Since I can live in peace, what concern are other matters in the world to me!'"

Yun Che showed no panic, a smile appearing on his face instead: "If any other being were to utter these words, I would certainly not be surprised or have any doubts. But, you are a Kirin, and moreover, a Kirin God." His gaze lifted slightly again, meeting the Kirin God's eyes with undisguised respect: "Whether in ancient times or the present world, everyone knows that Kirin are beasts of benevolence and righteousness, creatures of auspicious fortune. Despite possessing immense power, they are only compassionate, never bullying; they detest evil and conflict, most delight in bestowing kindness upon all beings, yet are never willing to owe favors to others. They are the noble beasts most revered and respected by all beings in every era! This is also why this junior dared to disturb Senior Kirin God's slumber with just a Divine Sovereign body." His smile unchanged, he continued: "I believe it's no accident that this elemental seed, lost in the Abyss, ended up in Senior Kirin God's hands. Because only Kirin are worthy of receiving this protection from a Creation God; and only Kirin would willingly endure endless desolate years and persistently guard it."

"Senior Kirin God's words just now were false. I think... my disturbance not only didn't anger you, but on the contrary, it is the greatest surprise you've had in your long years." The divine light in the Kirin God's eyes no longer shone intensely, but returned to its natural flow. The soul pressure that had been pressing down on Yun Che instantly dissipated.

"Hahaha, hahahaha!" The Kirin God's great laughter echoed through the Kirin Holy Temple, immensely ancient, yet incredibly unrestrained and joyous... It had been far too many years since it had laughed, let alone with such abandon. "What certainty, what spirit, what wisdom! Truly worthy of being the Element Creation God's... no, the Evil God's inheritor, truly worthy of being the descendant of the one Ancestor Kirin God most respected! My years have not been in vain; my meager existence has received a miraculous response... Hahahahaha!'"

"Ancestor Kirin God?" Yun Che's heart jolted... Could it be that the Kirin God before him was not the original Kirin God who fell into the Abyss, but its descendant? The Kirin God's laughter, and its words of high praise, finally allowed Yun Che's secretly taut soul string to completely relax.

"Young human, it seems you have a profound connection with my Kirin race in the other world." Yun Che smiled without speaking. A profound connection was perhaps an overstatement, but he certainly had a sufficient understanding.

The world called Kirin beasts of benevolence, righteousness, and auspicious fortune, a point open to interpretation. However, Yun Che strongly agreed that Kirin were compassionate and disliked conflict. In the Western Divine Region, the Dragon God Realm was supreme. Second to it was the Kirin Realm. The Kirin Realm's overall strength was not only second in the Western Divine Region, it was no exaggeration to say it was second in the entire God Realm.

However, despite its formidable power, the Kirin Realm never bullied the weak, never fought with anyone, and absolutely never interfered in others' conflicts. They were willing to bestow kindness but absolutely unwilling to owe favors. When Long Bai led the entire Western Divine Region in a forceful assault, Yun Che was still in the Eternal Heaven Divine Realm, and the Northern Divine Region was in utter despair. Yet, as the second strongest fighting force in the Western Divine Region, under such absolute superiority, the Kirin Realm, led by Qiantianli, remained passive throughout... or rather, feigned combat. The dignified Kirin Emperor and the four strongest Dark Kirin were easily 'restrained', and throughout the entire process, not a single person from the Northern Region died by the hands of the Kirin Realm; instead, quite a few Kirin were lost to the desperate profound practitioners of the Northern Region. Had it not been for this, the Northern Divine Region absolutely could not have held out until Yun Che emerged from the Eternal Heaven Divine Realm.

Later, the Kirin Realm was the first to kneel in submission to Mo Beichen. Did Qiantianli deserve to die? Of course he did. As he himself had said then, if traitors were not punished, loyalty would become a joke. Was Qiantianli hateful? At that time, Chi Wu had said that when Qiantianli faced Mo Beichen, against whom there was no hope of resistance, his choice was actually the wisest, most correct, and even the only one. Otherwise, the Kirin Realm would have already been destroyed by Mo Beichen. Later, Qiantianli bound himself and pleaded guilty. He had no fear of death, nor did he utter a single word begging for his life; he only sought to save the Kirin Realm with his death. It was also because of this that Yun Che clearly saw the inherent nature deeply rooted in the Kirin.

The Kirin God before him was a God of Kirin, just like the Dragon God of the Dragon Race. It shared the same origin as the Kirin, and as a Kirin God, its nature might be even purer. Therefore, upon learning that the 'vessel' of this Evil God's seed was a Kirin, he had already devised a strategy. To compel it with kindness, to sway it with virtue! So far, it seemed to be going far more smoothly than he had anticipated.