Chapter 2060: Half-Goddess Caili

"What... what else have you thought of now?"

This time, Yun Che's soul was stirred with extreme turbulence, even tinged with a hint of dread.

It took Yun Che a long time to compose himself before he slowly said, "I have a nearly insane conjecture, one so wild it defies logic and common sense." Yet, it swirled in his mind, refusing to be dismissed.

Li Sa commented, "Even so, for it to stir you so profoundly, it seems there must be some basis for this 'insane' idea."

Yun Che took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. "Do you remember the 'Time Black Tide,' the unique phenomenon of the Abyss that the Devil Queen extracted from Mo Beichen's memories?"

The Devil Queen's description of the Time Black Tide now clearly replayed in his mind:

"Perhaps because it has deviated from the laws bestowed by the Ancestral God, the Abyss's Wheel of Time does not rotate smoothly. Sometimes it speeds up, other times it slows down, much like an ebbing and flowing tide."

"Simply put, the flow of time in the Abyss periodically alternates between being too fast and too slow."

"And if a world's Wheel of Time begins to fall into chaos, it means... its entire order is on the verge of collapse."

"Furthermore, the Time Black Tide in the Abyss is becoming increasingly severe. Initially, it cycled once every few millennia, with very small accelerations and decelerations. Subsequently, the cycle period shortened each time, and the 'ebb and flow' intensified."

"The last cycle of the Time Black Tide was only a mere century long, and its fluctuations reached a terrifying tenfold increase."

"I remember," Li Sa said. "I also recall that the current Abyss World is in a 'high tide' phase of the Time Black Tide, where time flows ten times faster than in the God Realm. The mere fifty years you have left there amount to only five years in the God Realm."

"Then, is it possible..." Yun Che slowed his voice. "That the Time Black Tide exists not, as the Devil Queen speculated, because the Abyss deviated from ancestral laws, but rather because someone destroyed it through some method... No, perhaps they absorbed the power of time from the Wheel of Time, thereby causing the gradual collapse of the Abyss's temporal laws."

If anyone in the Abyss truly possessed such a capability, the most likely candidate would be the Abyss Emperor, the strongest being. His most probable reliance would be the lost 'Devil Orb' of the ancient demon race.

And the 'Cradle,' according to Li Sa, was a temporal concept that shouldn't exist. If it truly came into being, it must have exacted an extremely forbidden price.

Gradually destroying a world's temporal laws... what a price, what a taboo.

"Are you suggesting the Abyss Emperor used that potentially existing 'Devil Orb' to create the 'Cradle,' at the cost of collapsing this world's temporal laws?"

Li Sa pondered briefly but quickly replied, "That notion is highly illogical. The Abyss World was created by the Abyss Emperor; he has been its sole emperor since ancient times. He should be the one who most desires stability for the Abyss."

"He would have no possibility, nor any reason, to pay a world-destroying price just to save a goddess from a Divine Kingdom."

"No, no," Yun Che said. "Since Divine Master Huaxin knew that only the 'Cradle' could save Hua Caili, it implies the 'Cradle' must have existed long ago... possibly even all along."

"Saving Hua Caili was merely incidental."

"Even you, a Creation God, said that 'time stagnation' is an unnatural taboo. So if it has existed all along, it would have been continuously destroying the Abyss's Wheel of Time."

Li Sa could not agree. "If your guess is true, then what was the Abyss Emperor's purpose in creating a 'Cradle' with stagnant time at such an absurd cost?"

Yun Che let out a heavy breath. "Good question."

Li Sa asked, "Since you have no clue, and you yourself call it 'insane,' why did you still conceive of this idea and have your soul tremble because of it?"

"Because just now... I also thought of something else." Yun Che's voice grew slow as he gradually clarified the memory from a few months ago: "Those words the Qilin God said before disappearing in the Qilin God Realm..."

"'Your arrival is a godsend. Because I, this venerable one, can finally repay the great kindness of the Elemental Creation God... and finally depart in peace.'"

"'As for saving the Abyss... the collapse of the Abyss is irreversible. You cannot save the Abyss, and no one can save the Abyss.'"

"'You just need to remember, the Abyss will surely collapse. His obsession is the most terrifying thing in this world, irreversible by anyone. I have merely lingered until now, waiting unwillingly and helplessly for that day to come.'"

"'His obsession is the most terrifying thing in this world... irreversible by anyone...'"

Yun Che repeated this sentence over and over... because the Qilin God's assessment of the Abyss Emperor was utterly different from all other rumors Yun Che had heard about him.

No matter where, people of the Abyss spoke of the Abyss Emperor with endless reverence. Hua Caili, in particular, would immediately show unadulterated respect, even considerable closeness, when mentioning 'Uncle Abyss Emperor.'

And the Qilin God was exiled to the Qilin God Realm by the Abyss Emperor, with Abyss Knights regularly dispatched to monitor him. Was this not a clash of ideals, but rather... knowledge of some taboo secret of the Abyss Emperor?

For example... the essence and cost of the 'Cradle'...

As Li Sa had said, Yun Che also felt that his conjecture was indeed extremely absurd.

But the Devil Orb, the Cradle, the Time Black Tide, the Qilin God's words... all connected in that instant, then branded themselves onto his mind. He tried to dismiss them with reason again and again, but they still lingered.

It seemed as if some force, or some hint, was guiding him to believe this suddenly appearing, terrifying conjecture.

He pondered... if this conjecture truly approached the truth, then, if it were him, under what circumstances would he be willing to create a 'Cradle' that could freeze time, even at the cost of the entire world's collapse...

After a long time, without knowing if he had found an answer, he forcibly dispelled all these thoughts. "Forget it," he decided. "This isn't something I should be preoccupied with now; it only adds to my worries."

"Moreover, if this Time Black Tide could completely erupt as soon as possible, causing the Abyss's Wheel of Time to completely collapse within these fifty years... that would actually save me trouble."

Li Sa said, "...Then you would also disappear forever with the collapsing Abyss."

"Disappearing is fine too." Yun Che, however, smiled inexplicably. "It'd be a good way to cleanse my sins."

Li Sa sensed that his words were not a casual joke.

"You will surely be disappointed," Li Sa slowly said. "This place, after all, is also a great world created by Ancestral God. Even if the most basic temporal laws are gradually collapsing, it won't completely crumble so easily. And before it collapses, various natural disasters will first appear. Clearly, the Abyss has not yet reached that stage."

"However, given the current severity of the Wheel of Time's fluctuations (Time Black Tide), the arrival of disaster is extremely close. Perhaps ten thousand years, perhaps a thousand... even if it were to suddenly descend today, it wouldn't be surprising."

Therefore, the Abyss Emperor has been so eager to open a passage to the God Realm in recent years.

Yun Che frowned sharply and asked, "If the natural disasters triggered by the Time Black Tide descend, how long will it take for the Abyss to completely collapse?"

Li Sa pondered for a long time before softly saying, "Within a century."

"...That fast!" Yun Che's heart was violently shaken.

The 'World of Destruction' and the 'World of Life' were created simultaneously, existing for a time so long it was untraceable. The Abyss Emperor's arrival transformed the 'World of Destruction' into the Abyss World, which has now existed for several million years.

It was not a small planet or star realm. Such a massive world, once it began to collapse, would actually completely fall apart in just a mere century.

And Li Sa's next words instantly tensed his very being.

"What I'm more concerned about is that if this world collapses, the dimensional storm and breakdown of order it causes... might affect another world."

A small world with billions of living beings is but a speck of dust in a vast world, yet the dimensional storm generated by its collapse is already terrifyingly immense.

And if a massive world were to collapse...

"Perhaps, I'm just worrying unnecessarily."

As for the origin of the Time Black Tide, Yun Che only had that conjecture he himself considered 'insane.'

But its existence was a long-standing reality.

If disaster and collapse were destined to arrive, could the world he was in truly remain untouched?

"Brother Yun, Brother Yun?"

Hua Caili's fair fingers fluttered before his eyes. Yun Che's gaze quickly refocused, and he reached out to grasp the girl's hand, immediately feeling the warmth and smoothness of jade-like skin.

"You seemed to be spacing out just now." Hua Caili tilted her head, deliberately not lowering her voice. "You weren't really scared by Aunt, were you?"

She naturally couldn't have imagined what kind of turbulent waves the 'Cradle,' which she had casually mentioned while recounting her past, had stirred in Yun Che's soul.

"How could that be?" Yun Che quickly defended himself, feigning fright. "The name of Senior Sword Immortal has been like thunder to my ears since my early years in this world. To have the fortune to meet her is a blessing for three lifetimes. If Senior Sword Immortal hadn't saved me that day, I would have already perished by the claws of that abyssal beast. Therefore, I only have gratitude and respect for Senior Sword Immortal."

Hua Caili finally couldn't help but let out a giggle.

She pursed her lips, smiling. "Stop praising, stop praising. Aunt's temperament is particularly cold. Even if you praised her for another three hours, she wouldn't even acknowledge you."

"I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart," Yun Che said with a serious expression.

"Yes, yes, yes." Hua Caili rubbed her cheek against Yun Che, demonstrating her infatuation for him to her aunt. "Let me tell you quietly, Aunt is actually nothing like the rumors outside."

"Oh?" Yun Che seemed unsure how to respond.

Hua Caili lowered her voice. "Many call Aunt the Heartless Sword Immortal, and she herself says she cultivates the Heartless Path of the sword. But I know better than anyone that Aunt is actually the most gentle and affectionate person. Her reputation for being heartless stems from her earlier years, when she was solely devoted to the sword and indifferent to everything else, which made her appear so ruthless and devoid of desire to outsiders."

"But I've always known how good she is to me. She is my aunt and also my master. Whenever I left the 'Cradle' of the Pure Land, for nineteen years of my life, she was always by my side, almost never leaving."

"Your aunt treats you truly well," Yun Che also sighed, though his scalp tingled slightly.

Throughout Hua Caili's life, Hua Qingying had always accompanied her, either openly or covertly. So after this, would she not also...

If he were constantly watched by such a terrifying woman, the pressure on his actions would more than double.

"I also know that Aunt always believes if she hadn't been so devoted to the sword back then, but instead had actively taken over the inheritance of the Divine Nation of Broken Heavens, my mother wouldn't have had that accident. So, she has always taken the blame upon herself all these years."

"But Aunt wasn't wrong at all. Father God also said that the previous Divine Master would have preferred him to inherit the Divine Source, and even if Aunt had taken the initiative, it might not have gone as she wished. It's just that over ten thousand years have passed, and Aunt is still burdened by it... Moreover, these years, besides me, she has consistently been unwilling to extend any emotion to others, which is why she appears even 'heartless' in the eyes of the world."

"I truly wish Aunt would stop blaming herself and step out of these self-imposed shackles, to freely pursue what she likes... whether it's the path of the sword or a person."

Hua Qingying knew that Hua Caili's words were meant for her.

But... anyone else could forgive her; she alone could not forgive herself.

"So, Aunt... uh, Senior Sword Immortal appears heartless because she is too deeply affectionate." Yun Che sighed deeply, then suddenly furrowed his brow, asking in confusion, "You just said... the previous Divine Master? Was he not... your grandfather or great-uncle?"

Hua Caili's eyes held a hint of complexity. "Genetically, the previous Divine Master was indeed my Father God's and Aunt's biological father, my biological grandfather. However, neither Father God nor Aunt allowed me to call him 'grandfather'; instead, they told me to refer to him as 'previous Divine Master,' just like them."

Yun Che's face showed astonishment, but he already had a rough guess.

The deadly tribulation Hua Caili encountered at birth was probably...

If that were truly the case, it would be truly terrifying to ponder.

"It seems something special must have happened back then," Yun Che said. "Your Father God and Aunt are unwilling to tell you, naturally for your own good. Once you grow up, they will surely tell you everything in detail."

Hua Caili, however, was completely unconcerned, rubbing herself against Yun Che. "It's all unimportant now. After being with Brother Yun, I just feel happy and content every moment. Whatever happened in the past, it doesn't matter at all anymore."

"Father God always taught me that the affection between men and women is like mild water, and that it's best for me and Godson Senluo to always maintain mutual respect. Father God was indeed lying to me."

Your Father God wasn't lying to you; he just hoped you'd have a peaceful life... Yun Che thought to himself, then hugged the girl in his arms, straightening his upper body slightly. "Let's not talk about it anymore for now. Your internal injuries just now were agitated, so I'll heal you early today."

"Okay." She obediently responded, but still clung tightly to Yun Che, unwilling to get down. "Brother Yun, my internal injuries flared up just now, and I have almost no strength left. Can you heal me just like this?"

Yun Che smiled helplessly, placing his hands on her slender waist. "Alright, alright, I knew it would be like this again."

"Hehe, Brother Yun is the best to me." The girl closed her beautiful eyes, leaning against Yun Che's chest with a pure, flawless smile, like a beautiful immortal banished to the mortal world who no longer wished to return.

Hua Qingying frowned deeply.

Hua Caili possessed profound cultivation and sword dao talents that could be called unparalleled through the ages. If she were to become deeply immersed in romantic love, it would inevitably cause incalculable delays to her cultivation and future.

Regardless, she had to speak up and warn her.

Yun Che raised his hand, and light profound energy shimmered between his fingers, then gently covered Hua Caili's body.

Hua Qingying also transmitted her voice at this moment. "Caili, do you know that you are currently..."

As soon as she spoke, her beautiful face suddenly changed slightly, and an incredulous light abruptly appeared in her eyes.

Yun Che's movements also abruptly halted at this moment.

Around Hua Caili's body, profound energy vortexes suddenly appeared one after another, causing her long hair to flutter without wind.

And in just an instant, these profound energy vortexes had multiplied several times, intensely surging with every passing moment.

Hua Caili opened her eyes. She straightened up, raised her hand to sense her violently trembling profound veins and the gradually uncontrollable profound energy, and muttered in astonishment, "Eh? Am I about to..."

"Step back!"

A not-so-gentle profound energy swept towards Yun Che, instantly pushing him several miles away.

Hua Qingying's figure descended like an immortal. With a light sweep of her finger, a massive sword array barrier was generated around them, while another surge of profound energy very carefully soothed the increasingly violent and unbalanced aura around Hua Caili:

"Caili, withdraw all your senses, focus completely and calm your mind; you are about to achieve a major realm breakthrough!"

"With me by your side, you must be single-minded!"

Her clear, cold voice quickly brought Hua Caili's mind back to extreme clarity. She swiftly focused her mind, cast aside external thoughts, and began to perceive and guide the transformation of her aura.

Hua Qingying's heart was far from as calm as her expression and voice.

She still couldn't quite believe it.

For this trial, her highest expectation for Hua Caili was that she could find an opportunity for a breakthrough; even a small hint of enlightenment would have been a huge gain.

A well-known truth in the Abyss was that within the profound dao, the most difficult chasm to cross was from the Half-God Extinction Realm to the God Extinction Realm.

The existence of this special concept, 'Half-God Extinction Realm,' was meant to comfort the countless profound practitioners who could never cross that chasm in their lifetime, giving them a sense of having one foot in the God Extinction Realm... when in reality, it was a world of difference.

She had never dared to hope that Hua Caili would directly achieve a major realm breakthrough.

And with her breakthrough this time, she would step into the Half-God Realm!

A nineteen-year-old Half-God...

Tracing back to the earliest era of the Abyss, it had never happened.