Chapter 2038: Fog Emperor Breakthrough

At that moment, from the dimness ahead, a dark shadow burst forth, directly lunging at the weakened Yun Che. It was an Abyssal Beast in the mid-Divine Master Realm. Hua Caiyu had already sensed it; with a light sweep of her Liyun Sword, an invisible sword gleam pierced through space and, in an instant, through the beast's skull. Abyssal Beasts fear no pain; to truly neutralize one, its body must be destroyed.

The most efficient method was to destroy its head. A chorus of shattering sounds followed, as dozens of sword gleams burst forth from the Abyssal Beast's head, instantly severing it into countless neat fragments that scattered and fell. When she first entered the Misty Sea, Hua Caiyu found such brutal hunting methods unbearable.

But now, her heart held no hesitation or turmoil. Thud! The headless Abyssal Beast's body veered off course, crashing heavily beside Yun Che. After a few twitches, it lay still, only dense Abyssal dust silently dissipating. Yun Che moved the Heaven Smiting Sword from across his body, then used its blade to support himself, rising to his feet with considerable difficulty.

"Thank you for saving me, Immortal Sister," he said, facing Hua Caiyu. He suppressed a grimace of pain and forced a smile. "Now, I suppose we're even." With that, he turned, dragging the Heaven Smiting Sword, and slowly walked away.

"Ah... wait a moment." Hua Caiyu blurted out instinctively. During this time, she had gradually come to understand the immense impact of her appearance.

Whether inside or outside the Misty Sea, everyone she encountered desired to get close to her, even going so far as to use various means to try and accompany her... despite her always covering her face with a veil, revealing only her eyes. Yet this man alone had, in three encounters, turned away cleanly each time... as if he couldn't get away fast enough.

After speaking, Hua Caiyu was momentarily stunned herself, then immediately said quite naturally, "You're so seriously injured; it would be too dangerous if you encountered another Abyssal Beast." As she spoke, she extended her hand, her jade-like fingers seeming to glow with a snowy luminescence in the dim Misty Sea.

In her palm lay a pale purple, round jade bead, exuding an aura potent enough to stir the profound veins of any profound practitioner. "This pill can aid in your injuries and the recovery of your profound veins." As the Divine Maiden of the God Realm, she naturally disliked owing favors. This was the first time since entering the Misty Sea that she had actively wanted to help someone.

The pill in her hand, called a Purple Heart Bead, could quickly restore vitality and profound energy. It had been given to her by a Divine Official of the Pure Land and was incredibly precious. She was also well aware that offering this Purple Heart Bead was a very dangerous act, as the medicinal and spiritual energy it exuded could easily incite greed... especially within the Misty Sea. Yet, in Yun Che's eyes, as she looked at him, there was not a trace of greed, nor even any surprise or inclination.

He smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, Immortal Sister. My injuries only look alarming; they're not actually that severe. As for saving you earlier... you just saved me, so we're already even." With that, he offered a smile, turned his gaze, and slowly walked away.

Hua Caiyu was stunned on the spot, momentarily at a loss. No matter where she was, she was always the center of attention, like the moon surrounded by stars. In the Heaven Folding God Realm... and even in the Pure Land, she was everyone's cherished star, never before having been repeatedly disregarded in such a manner. Furthermore, this was the first time in her life she had actively approached a man and offered him help, only to be rejected so unequivocally.

Not only did he refuse her pill, but he also declined her offer to guard him for two hours... A feeling of unprecedented indignation welled up within her, a strange and inexplicable sensation as if something was lodged in her chest. Once again, her words escaped before her composure or reason could intervene: "Why do you always rush away as soon as you see me? Is there something about me you dislike?"

Yun Che turned back, his gaze showing surprise, and then he said, "No, no, I absolutely didn't mean that. It's a great fortune and honor for me to encounter you repeatedly in the Lin Abyss Realm and the Misty Sea. It's just..." A faint smile touched his lips, and his voice carried a hint of subtle melancholy: "I've grown accustomed to solitude and no longer dare to hope for friends or companions. Moreover, a figure like you, Immortal Sister, is surely a star in the heavens. You and I... are destined not to be from the same world, so why should we try to be close?"

"..." Hua Caiyu didn't know how to respond. The moment Yun Che turned around, her gaze suddenly froze. His back was so profoundly lonely and desolate; as he walked further away, the entire world seemed to grow distant, unwilling to offer him even a shred of warmth... His only companion was the vermillion sword gleam.

The word "loneliness" had never felt so clear or so suffocating in her heart. What... what exactly had he been through? Yun Che grew smaller and smaller in the distance, and when she finally came to her senses, she suddenly realized she had been staring blankly at his retreating figure.

She quickly averted her gaze, and after a moment of distraction, she still secretly glanced in Yun Che's direction. With that glance, she saw Yun Che suddenly drop to his knees and then remain unmoving... Even from a distance, she could clearly see his body trembling violently and hear the faint sound of gritted teeth.

Hua Caiyu instantly appeared beside Yun Che. "You..." The words had barely left her mouth when she sensed that Yun Che's profound energy was in complete chaos, as if countless uncontrolled wind currents were swirling around his precarious body. This was clearly... a sign of a breakthrough!

"Immortal Sister," Yun Che spoke, his voice calm yet strained. "Could I, please... ask for a favor..." Halfway through his plea, he slumped directly to the ground. "My profound strength reached a breakthrough critical point some time ago, but being in the Misty Sea, I could only forcibly suppress it... However, these severe injuries have made it... impossible to suppress."

Unless one had a trustworthy protector nearby, breaking through in the Misty Sea was undoubtedly an extremely high-risk endeavor. If an Abyssal Beast were encountered during the breakthrough process, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"I understand." Hua Caiyu lightly nodded her head. "I will guard this spot; you can focus on your breakthrough." Watching this strange man, who had repeatedly avoided her as if fearing her, now compelled to ask her for help, she felt an inexplicable joy... as if she had suddenly gained the upper hand in a contest she was about to lose.

Yun Che smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Immortal Sister. I will... I... ugh!" His profound energy completely spiraled out of control, and Yun Che seemed unable to speak further. He struggled to sit still, concentrating on guiding the flow and rejuvenation of his profound energy. Being in the Misty Sea, surrounded by Abyssal dust, and severely wounded, the risks of breaking through in such a state were considerable.

Hua Caiyu dared not make a sound to disturb him, only whispering inwardly: *He called me 'sister' again, even though he's clearly so much older than me... but it doesn't seem wrong... No, no!* *Father God, Aunt, and Uncle Abyssal Emperor all say I'm nineteen, so I am nineteen, and he shouldn't be calling me 'sister'!* She debated with herself, yet her beautiful eyes involuntarily fell upon Yun Che's profile. The first time she met Yun Che, she had remembered his appearance with exceptional clarity.

After leaving the Lin Abyss Realm, nearly seven months had passed before they met again. At that time, her vision was noticeably blurred from exhaustion, yet she recognized him at a glance. Even she didn't understand why his impression was so profound. Perhaps it was because of his peculiar behavior, his strange profound energy, or perhaps... his face was truly unforgettable.

Hua Caiyu had undoubtedly seen countless extraordinary and handsome men in the world. There was Jiu Zhi, the Divine Son of the Senluo Temple, to whom she was betrothed, elegant yet sharp; Meng Jianxi, the Divine Son of Weaving Dreams, whose eyes were like a dream, a single glance enough to draw women into an enchanted reverie; and the Star-Moon Twins, who embodied the pinnacle of bewitching masculine beauty. And the Abyssal Emperor was known by all beings in the Abyss as the ultimate embodiment of a man's appearance, power, and status.

Having grown up in such an environment, Hua Caiyu had never been stirred by a man's appearance. Yet now, without even realizing it, she had been staring blankly at Yun Che's profile for a very long time... less than three feet away from him.

His face was handsome, yet so unique... His eyes were as clear as water, yet no ripples were ever visible, as if all disturbances were hidden in some unfathomably deep pool... His brows seemed to hold many secrets... His features were very pleasing, yet they seemed to emanate a loneliness that made one feel heartbroken... A succession of thoughts arose in her mind, suddenly startling her. Her gaze darted back, and she hurriedly stepped backward.

"..." High in the distant sky, Hua Qingying slightly frowned. Hua Caiyu shook her head slightly, quickly dispelling those strange and inexplicable thoughts, and focused on sensing the surrounding aura. Just then, Yun Che's profound energy suddenly paused, then abruptly burst into towering flames.

Hua Caiyu's gaze, which she had struggled to avert, snapped back, and she saw a cluster of golden flames quietly burning on Yun Che's body. It was a golden flame she had never seen before, as pure as unadulterated dazzling gold. Its golden brilliance permeated through layers of Abyssal dust, transforming the originally dim world around it into a magnificent golden expanse. The golden light reflected in Hua Caiyu's beautiful eyes and also captured Hua Qingying's attention.

She knew many who could wield golden flames. However, such pure gold, she had never witnessed. The golden flame burned for several breaths, then slowly extinguished. Eddies of profound energy continued to swirl around Yun Che, and then... a frantic storm suddenly erupted.

The surrounding rubble and remnants of corpses were completely repelled by the storm, and even space itself was slightly distorted. Sizzle! Hiss! As the storm gradually subsided, lightning suddenly flashed. Streaks of lightning pulsed and crackled around Yun Che, initially purple, gradually transforming into blood-red bolts.

After more than ten breaths, the crackling lightning transformed into streams of faint blue water, rapidly swirling around Yun Che like countless coiling water dragons. Immediately, the water dragons condensed as they swirled, turning into ice radiating a dreamy light. Fire, wind, lightning, water, ice... Hua Caiyu stood completely transfixed, her pink lips unknowingly parting. And a clear look of astonishment appeared on Hua Qingying's face.

Just then, the blue light of the ice slowly receded, replaced by a gradually deepening yellow glow. The ice silently transmuted, finally turning into a layer of yellow luminous jade covering Yun Che. Earth! Hua Caiyu's already slightly parted lips widened further, and the astonishment in Hua Qingying's blue eyes persisted for more than ten breaths without fading. She had actually witnessed five different elemental profound lights on a single person!