Chapter 2026: Creation God's Memory

Endless mountains and swirling seas of clouds created a scene like a celestial realm.

On a peak that pierced the sky and clouds, a man stood tall. Dressed in white robes, with his hands behind his back, his waist-length hair danced in the wind, exuding an indescribable elegant grace. The firmament was level with him; the earth and all beings in heaven and earth were beneath his feet. He simply stood there quietly, and the drifting clouds gathered at his feet. All the elements and spiritual energy of the surrounding world carefully and eagerly drew near to him, lingering for a long time, unwilling to depart.

A wisp of clear breeze swept from behind him, accompanied by a boy's excited shout: "Senior Ni Xuan! Phew... I finally found you."

At the boy's shout, the white-robed man smiled and turned around.

Instantly, the wind quieted, the clouds stilled, and the sky dimmed. His appearance seemed to condense all human fantasies, male and female, of masculine beauty: a face of white jade, eyebrows sharp as swords, eyes like brilliant stars. His features were too perfect, yet they carried just the right touch of nonchalance and mystique; his gentle gaze, meanwhile, revealed a sharpness and profundity that compelled one to explore.

For he was Ni Xuan, the Creation God of Elements, recognized by both races as the epitome of masculine beauty in the world, just as Li Suo was among women.

He looked at the boy, the smile at the corner of his lips as elegant as the immortal winds on a cloud-capped peak: "Judging by your appearance, could it be..." The boy nodded repeatedly. Though only his back was visible, not his face, his intense, almost overflowing excitement was palpable: "Father God agreed! He agreed that I can become your disciple, and for the next thousand years, I can cultivate by your side!"

As he finished speaking, he knelt heavily with a "thud": "Disciple Mo Su, bows to Master..."

"Wait!"

Ni Xuan made no move, but an invisible force sealed off the boy's impending words and simultaneously lifted his kneeling body: "Your Father God agreed, but I haven't."

The boy froze, then said anxiously, "But, disciple... er, no, is there anything lacking in this junior? Please inform me, Senior, and this junior will surely redouble my efforts to correct and improve."

Ni Xuan shook his head with a smile, half-helpless, half-gentle: "Look at you, so conventional and afraid of making a mistake. Sigh."

"I'm quite surprised your Father God, that old stubborn man, agreed to this," Ni Xuan continued. "Could it be that your recent progress has truly been so poor that it made him... angry enough not to want to see you?" Ni Xuan's words were exceptionally blunt, striking directly at the boy's heart. He hung his head in shame: "Yes... I've been stuck on the seventy-third sword of the Ninety-Nine Heaven-Folding Swords for three hundred and twenty years. Father God says if the Heaven-Folding Sword Art is like this, I can forget about ever mastering the Heaven-Punishing Sword Art in this lifetime."

"Hahahahaha." Ni Xuan, however, laughed. "That's exactly what that old stubborn man would say. Everyone can clearly see your talent. It can be said that among all the gods and myriad races, no one can compare to you."

"But that old stubborn man would never admit he's a bad teacher. His way of doing things, even the most arrogant genius, would become conventional and rigid, like a piece of wood, daring not to overstep any boundaries, once they fall into his hands."

"Bound hand and foot, shackled in mind and soul, it's quite remarkable that you've managed to cultivate to the seventy-third sword."

The boy looked up, his eyes glowing with a strange light: "Father God has never praised me like this. He often says I'm..."

"Says you're foolishly talented? Neglect cultivation? Or have too many wild thoughts and are too hesitant?" Ni Xuan said unhurriedly.

The boy was astonished, then filled with admiration: "As expected of Senior Ni Xuan, you truly are the one who understands my Father God best. He's said all of those things."

"That old stubborn man wouldn't be able to come up with any new phrases anyway," Ni Xuan scoffed. "His farts have smelled the same for tens of millions of years."

Wearing a face of otherworldly handsome elegance, yet speaking crudely and indelicately. The person before him was clearly mocking his father, yet the boy's eyes sparkled, radiating intense eagerness and reverence... because he was the only one in the world who dared to speak of his father like that. Every time he was by his side, it was as if he were in a completely different world.

No need for suppression, no need to be trembling with fear, no need for self-doubt... no need to worry if his steps were steady, if his expression was undignified, or if his breathing was uneven.

"He actually knows he's not good at teaching, but he couldn't bring himself to ask me. So he took the easy way out, feigning shock and disappointment while agreeing to your request. He probably even roared 'Get lost, good riddance' when he kicked you out."

The boy's mouth hung open, eyes wide: "Exactly... the same..."

Ni Xuan adopted a matter-of-fact expression: "In this world, there's no one easier to figure out than your Father God, that old stubborn man."

"Mo Su," he called the boy by name, "Follow me, and I can guarantee that within a thousand years, you'll master the Heaven-Folding Sword to grand perfection."

The boy looked up, incredulous: "A thou... a thousand years?"

Ni Xuan smiled, raising an eyebrow: "What? Your Father God didn't tell you I only took four hundred years to master the Ninety-Nine Heaven-Folding Swords?"

The boy shook his head: "Father God never mentioned it. But a Brahma Sword Attendant said so, and when I asked Father God to confirm it that day, he just grunted, and I dared not ask again. So... it was true after all!" Ni Xuan said: "Back then, your Father God had just created the Ninety-Nine Heaven-Folding Swords, claiming that no other sword path in the world could surpass it, except for the Heaven-Punishing Sword Art, and that even I would need at least a thousand years to grasp its basics. So I casually made a bet with your Father God that I could fully comprehend all ninety-nine swords within a thousand years."

"As you know, he lost the bet, and it only took me four hundred years. It's a pity you weren't born yet, or you would have witnessed your Father God's face turn darker than the bottom of a pot, a truly spectacular sight."

"Senior... you're truly amazing." The boy's admiration for Ni Xuan deepened even further: "So, what was the bet between you and Father God?" "Simple. Whoever lost had to grant the other a single request," Ni Xuan said with a chuckle. "The stake could be as small as a grain of sand or as vast as the heavens. I just said it casually at the time, but unfortunately, your Father God was too smug about his newly created Heaven-Folding Sword Art and agreed immediately."

"So, what did you make Father God do?" The boy was full of curiosity. After all, there were truly very few people in this world who could make his father stumble. "He hasn't had to fulfill it yet," Ni Xuan said, his gentle smile carrying a hint of mischief. "There's nothing I absolutely need him to do, so I might as well leave it hanging. Since your Father God views his promises as sacred, every time he's seen me since then, his imposing aura has weakened by a third. It's quite satisfying."

With his biological father on one side and his most revered figure on the other, the boy found it difficult to comment, so he bowed down again: "To be able to follow by your side, Senior, is Mo Su's greatest wish and honor in this life. During these thousand years, Mo Su will not allow himself even a hint of laziness and will certainly not disappoint the expectations of Senior and Father God." "You boy, always with this bowing ritual," Ni Xuan shook his head, flicking a finger to lift the boy's body up again. "I grant you a thousand years to follow me, but during these thousand years, you must break free from all the rules, regulations, and ways of conduct your Father God has imposed upon you over the years."

"Of course!" The boy nodded vigorously: "Following by your side, Senior, I should obey your teachings."

"Very good," Ni Xuan said, watching him nod. "Then my first teaching is... you don't need to formally become my disciple, and from now on, don't address me as 'Senior.' Just call me 'Elder Brother' (or 'Big Brother')."

"Wha... huh? No, no... I can't, absolutely not!" The boy was greatly startled: "How could I..."

"What's wrong? This is just the first thing, and you're already not listening?" Ni Xuan narrowed his eyes.

"No, I wouldn't dare," the boy stammered, shaking his head in alarm. "But there's an order between elders and juniors, and a distinction of status. You are also the Senior I respect the most; how could I use such a disrespectful address towards you?"

"Oh, what elder and junior status. If you're unwilling to cast off even the shackles of 'seniority,' then even if you're by my side, how would it be any different from before?" Ni Xuan turned his back, saying disappointedly, "Go on, you don't need to follow me."

Fear instantly flooded the boy's entire body. He hastily said, "No... Senior... I... I'll listen to you, I... I..."

Elder Brother... such simple words, yet on the boy's lips, they weighed a billion pounds.

Because weighing on these two words were the upbringing, divine decorum, rules, heavenly principles, and rites that had permeated and deeply rooted themselves throughout his entire life...

Ni Xuan gave him no further words, instantly teleporting away.

"Ah... wait..." The boy stumbled, frantically chasing after him, while tensing his scalp, almost forcing the two words out of his mouth with all his willpower: "Eld... er Brother..."

Ni Xuan's figure instantly froze. He smiled, turning his head: "That's more like it. Call me again."

The boy stood there, stiff as wood, his eyes unfocused. When those two words, which defied the order of elders and juniors and were practically rebellious, were finally uttered, he felt as if something had burst forth from his skull... Following that, his entire being seemed to have suddenly leaped out of an unseen small world, re-entering a world that outwardly hadn't changed at all, yet seemed to have shifted in color.

"Elder... Brother." Although his demeanor and tone were still incredibly stiff, this time, uttering the words was clearly much easier than the first. "Hahahahaha!" Ni Xuan burst into hearty laughter, flying over and slinging an arm over the boy's shoulder: "That's right! From today on, you and I will travel the world together, address each other as brothers, talk about anything, and live freely and joyfully! Thinking about 'Senior' or 'Master' is just utterly dispiriting."

The boy, still somewhat dazed, agreed: "Senior is right."

"...What did you call me?"

"Elder Brother... Elder Brother Ni Xuan!" The boy quickly corrected himself. This utterance was much smoother than the second. "Call me that, only call me that, especially when we're in the lower realms," Ni Xuan emphasized. "The lifespan of humans in the lower realms is very short, mostly no more than a hundred years. If those young girls hear you call me 'Senior,' my charm will significantly decrease."

"These... lowly spirits of the lower realms, how could they possibly enter your... Elder Brother's sight?"

Ni Xuan smiled and shook his head, offering no explanation. He patted the boy's shoulder and said, "Hierarchy is in action and in the heart, not in appearance."

"Your slow progress with the Heaven-Folding Sword is mainly because you are confined within too tight a shackle. This shackle traps not your sword, but your heart."

"And your state of mind, in turn, has hindered your sword realm."

"You've never even realized the existence of this shackle; instead, you've treated it as indispensable throughout your life, constantly reinforcing it." At this point, he looked at the boy's bewildered eyes: "It's okay if you don't understand. No rush, you're still young, and you have so much time. That old stubborn man rarely trusts anyone enough to hand you over to me, so I can't just stand by and watch you become a little stubborn man yourself."

"Let's go!"

He hooked his arm around the boy and leaped down from the cloud-capped peak, plummeting directly against the wind.

"Elder Brother, where are we going?" This time, the "Elder Brother" the boy uttered carried very little difficulty.

"To the lower realms."

"Huh? The lower realms?"

"Haha, just follow me... Hmm? Your aura, you're still a virgin?"

"Father God taught: A man's primordial yang should..."

"Stop, stop! You don't need to tell me what that old stubborn man said. Do you have a woman you're fond of?"

"Fond of? No... What is being fond of?"

"...And how do you view the feelings between men and women?"

"Father God says the feelings between men and women should be like Father God and Mother Queen: mutually reliant and supportive, respecting each other as guests, with procreation being paramount, and indulgence in desire being taboo..."

"Listen to that Creation God's utter nonsense! Back then, he was practically glued to the Temple of Life!"

"...My Father God also said that about you."

"Cough, let's postpone going to the lower realms for a few days. I'll go fight your Father God first."

"Huh? Elder Brother, you... you're really going...? Ah, wait! Elder Brother Ni Xuan, I was wrong! I won't speak carelessly anymore... Elder Brother!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Of course, Ni Xuan didn't actually go to find his Father God. He took the boy, flying against the clear breeze, straight towards another entirely different world.

"Elder Brother, there's a question I've always wanted to ask. You've taken me to so many worlds, and you especially enjoy observing the diverse beauty of women. But why do you... never get involved with any of them?"

"Of course, my heart belongs to someone. If one day you find someone who touches your soul and enters your dreams, you'll understand that the beauty of all other women in the world, even for ten thousand generations, cannot compare to a single moment of her turning her head."

"That person, is... is Senior Li Suo?"

"Hahahaha! Isn't that something everyone knows?"

"But it's been so many years, and Elder Brother truly remains devoted. Yet, I always feel that with Senior Li Suo's personality, er..." "As long as you don't give up, there will always be hope. She is worth this much to me. Although it has been fruitless so far, still... Mo Su, if one day you also meet such a person, you will understand that even a fruitless pursuit can be sweet."

"...Is the love between a man and a woman truly so profound?" "It cannot be described by words; you'll know when you meet your person. As for your Elder Brother, you don't need to be pessimistic at all. Your Father God and I fought tooth and nail back then, but he chose to unite with your Mother Queen for the sake of succession. So, in this world, am I not the only one left who is worthy of Li Suo?"

"Elder Brother is right! In this world, only Elder Brother is truly qualified to be with Senior Li Suo! Elder Brother, please do your best! Next time you go to the Temple of Life, if you need any help from your little brother, just say the word!"

"Hahahaha, good! My heart for Li Suo is witnessed by heaven and earth, attested by the sun and moon, and unshakable through countless ages! I refuse to believe I can't melt Li Suo's icy heart!"

The scene shifted.

Still mountains, seas, and cloud-capped peaks, but the difference was that the clouds here were a deep, dark color.

Ni Xuan stood on the mountaintop. Beside him was a woman dressed in black, her figure half a foot taller than his.

The woman's face was exquisitely beautiful, but far surpassing her beauty was the heroic and awe-inspiring aura that filled her brows, features, eyes... and even every line of her skin.

Anyone who looked at her would not doubt for a moment that they were seeing the only, the most supreme female sovereign in this world.

Anyone who met her gaze felt as if they would instantly be dragged into a trembling and terrifying abyss of despair.

Ni Xuan, standing beside her, showed none of his majestic Creation God demeanor. His gaze was gentle as water, a smile played on his face, and his eyes revealed not a hint of sharpness or imposing might, just like an elegant young noble venturing into the mortal world for the first time.

"Ni Xuan, repeat the three things you promised me..." The woman looked straight ahead, her voice cold and hard.

Ni Xuan's lips parted in a smile, and he spoke without hesitation: "First, within thirty thousand years, announce to the entire world that Jie Yuan is my wife."

"Second, no matter what obstacles arise, we must meet here once a year."

"Third, never see Li Suo again for all eternity." "Hmph!" The woman slightly turned her face away: "Not a single word wrong, you pass. However... every moment in the world brings profound changes, and there are variables that even you and I find difficult to resist. So, the first two can be relaxed appropriately. But the third... you must absolutely fulfill it honestly! Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, you'll punish me by turning me into a dirty old man," Ni Xuan said, taking the woman's hand and smiling as he looked at her profile. The woman struggled symbolically for a moment, then haughtily said, "Smart of you. Don't worry, even if you become a dirty old man, I'll still want you. In fact, I might make you even dirtier and uglier, so you'll be too ashamed to ever see your beloved little Li Suo again."

"Alright," Ni Xuan agreed, his eyes completely filled with Jie Yuan's face: "As long as you're by my side, anything is fine."

"..." Jie Yuan's lips moved slightly. After a long while, she quietly said, "The final stage of the Forbidden Scripture is about to be completed. At that time, your Dark Core will fully awaken, and then, you will have no turning back."

"What you're doing for me... is akin to defying the heavens and straying from the proper path. Do you truly have no regrets?"

"No."

Ni Xuan gazed distantly at the vast world, his voice utterly gentle, utterly resolute: "We are not wrong. What is wrong is obstinacy, prejudice, and inherently flawed understanding."

"If being with you means defying the Heavenly Dao, then I am willing to be that defier of heaven, no matter the final outcome... I will never regret it."

He raised his arm, and where his finger pointed, a long, dark sword glow actually manifested.

"The final stage of the Forbidden Scripture will be named 'Heaven's Defiance'! And the unfinished ultimate sword move will be named... 'Defy Heaven Without Regret'!"

"This stage and this name, both bear witness to my heart!"

The scene faded.

But what was left for Yun Che was a pang of painful regret.

Defy Heaven Without Regret... So, what is it that you regret this time...?