Chapter 2083: The Grand Investiture Ceremony (Part 1)

In front of the Divine Dream Weaving Palace, dream-like light swirled, and countless formations activated simultaneously. Dazzling lights of various colors intertwined in mid-air, weaving this vast space into a dream.

The Lords of the Nine Dream Halls of the Divine Dream Weaving Realm, and the City Lords of its fifty-four cities, had all arrived. Major vassal states and forces, qualified to be invited, had also arrived early.

Nearly all the core powers of the entire Divine Dream Weaving Realm were gathered here, creating an oppressive atmosphere that was almost suffocating. Especially among the invited guests from the vassal territories, all harbored different thoughts and dared not even speak loudly.

The enthronement of a Divine Son was a ceremony the Divine Dream Weaving Realm had yearned for for ten millennia but rarely attained. Yet, in the last hundred years, it had occurred three times.

The first time was for the enthronement of Meng Jianyuan. The entire realm was shaken, and invitations were extended far and wide. The grandeur of the ceremony and the intensity of Dreamless Divine Venerable's emotions left a deep impression on everyone present.

The second time was for the enthronement of Meng Jianxi, a mere five years later. However, at that time, Dreamless Divine Venerable seemed not to have fully recovered from the grief of "losing a son," so the ceremony was much smaller in scale and did not involve widespread invitations.

Today marked the third time... and the one being enthroned was Meng Jianyuan, who had returned alive. This ceremony, in every aspect, emanated an indescribable peculiarity. Glances repeatedly darted towards Divine Son Meng Jianxi, yet he appeared composed, seemingly unaffected.

It had been seven days since Meng Jianyuan's return, but he had spent all his time secluded in the Divine Son's Palace built for him years ago. Very few people had actually seen him. Not even the Lords of the Nine Dream Halls knew what Meng Jianyuan looked like now.

At that moment, the palace gates opened, and Meng Kongchan slowly emerged, accompanied by the heavily robed Divine Empress Meng Xuanjue.

Everyone fell silent and bowed in unison, "Greetings, Divine Venerable, Divine Empress."

Meng Kongchan nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he casually asked, "Has Yuan'er not arrived yet?"

The Master of Ceremonies took a small step forward and bowed, "Reporting to Divine Venerable, Young Master Yuan has not yet arrived. He is likely still preparing."

Meng Kongchan turned his gaze and announced, "The hour is not yet upon us. Please, everyone, take your seats first."

Everyone responded and took their seats in order. Within the vast venue, countless undercurrents subtly stirred. Everyone wanted to know what deeper meaning lay behind this sudden Divine Son enthronement ceremony for Dreamless Divine Venerable, and what impact it would have on the structure of the Divine Dream Weaving Realm.

Meng Kongchan's gaze swept over the crowd, and just as he was about to speak, an announcement echoed from afar: "Divine Son Dian Jiuzhi of the Divine Senluo Realm has arrived!"

The name "Dian Jiuzhi" caused everyone to turn back in astonishment, and even Meng Kongchan's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Soon, a male figure approached from a distance, accompanied by a polite, dignified, yet authoritative greeting: "Dian Jiuzhi of Senluo offers congratulations to the Divine Dream Weaving Realm for gaining another Divine Son. I hope that by arriving uninvited this time, Dreamless Divine Venerable, Divine Empress, and all the esteemed elders of Dream Weaving will pardon my intrusion."

Meng Jianxi, also a Divine Son, quickly rose and met him with a hearty laugh, "Hahahaha, for Divine Son Senluo to grace us with your presence gives immense prestige to my Divine Dream Weaving Realm and to my brother Yuan. How could there be any blame?"

As he spoke, his address changed, "Brother Dian, please take the honored seat."

Dian Jiuzhi nodded to Meng Jianxi, then stepped forward and respectfully presented a gift, "A humble gift, first to congratulate Dreamless Divine Venerable on finding his beloved son, and second to congratulate the Divine Dream Weaving Realm on gaining another Divine Son. My Father God is also greatly delighted by this double blessing."

Meng Kongchan motioned for the Master of Ceremonies to accept the gift, and smiled, "My virtuous nephew is thoughtful. This ceremony was arranged rather hastily, without widespread invitations. How did you find the leisure to come in person?"

Dian Jiuzhi replied frankly, "To be honest, I was originally on my way to the Divine Heaven-Folding Realm to visit my sister Cairi, but upon arriving, I learned she was in secluded cultivation to consolidate her foundation and could not be seen. As the Divine Dream Weaving Realm was holding this grand event, I decided to follow my Father God's wishes and turn back to come here."

"Hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan burst into laughter, though his laugh held significant meaning. "My virtuous nephew is truly as devoted as ever. I have taken note of your intentions this time. Quickly, guide Divine Son Senluo to his seat."

No sooner had he spoken than Meng Kongchan's expression suddenly changed. His gaze snapped around, his face etched with disbelief.

At that moment, a woman's voice, as cool and distant as an ethereal ice immortal, reached everyone's ears: "Hua Qingying of the Divine Heaven-Folding Realm congratulates the Divine Dream Weaving Realm on gaining another Divine Son."

Despite the voice being clear and cold, it startled everyone as if they had heard a clap of thunder from the heavens. All eyes shifted from Dian Jiuzhi, their faces mirroring Meng Kongchan's disbelief.

A female figure descended from the sky. With black hair and a green robe, her icy face was like a painting, and her eyes held the glint of a sword... It was none other than the Heaven-Folding Sword Immortal, Hua Qingying, known to all in the Abyss as "One Immortal, Hua Qingying; One Sword, Zhu Cangchen."

Even when the Sword Immortal's figure clearly materialized before their eyes, they still couldn't believe it... For years, the Sword Immortal had mainly resided beyond the world, existing as a legend, rarely appearing outside the Divine Heaven-Folding Realm, and never participating in any type of ceremony.

And today, she had... arrived uninvited?

Meng Kongchan's fingers involuntarily tightened and loosened, his mind momentarily flustered for several seconds. He quickly took a few steps forward and declared, "For the Heaven-Folding Sword Immortal to personally grace us, this ceremony is undoubtedly enhanced beyond measure. I will personally express my gratitude for such magnanimity from the Divine Heaven-Folding Realm in the future."

"No thanks are necessary," Hua Qingying replied, her tone the cool indifference Meng Kongchan knew all too well. "I am merely here to observe, with no other intention and no congratulatory gift. Dreamless Divine Venerable need not concern himself."

With that, her figure blurred, and she stood still high above, radiating an icy aura that repelled all living beings.

How could Meng Kongchan not know why Hua Qingying was here...? He was, in fact, one of the people in this world who understood Hua Qingying best. He knew she kept a distance from everything, yet she was extremely protective of Hua Cairi.

And Yun Che and Hua Cairi were destined to be together... Out of love for her, she feared that Hua Cairi's chosen one might suffer humiliation.

Meng Xuanjue secretly glared at Hua Qingying, her teeth subtly clenching.

Dian Jiuzhi flew up, but before he could get close, he was blocked by an invisible sword qi. He immediately understood and, bowing from a distance to Hua Qingying, returned to his seat, showing no sign of disappointment.

Dian Jiuzhi's presence was one thing, but Hua Qingying's arrival truly added several layers of strangeness to an already unsettling ceremony.

The Dream Lords exchanged glances, all clearly puzzled.

As the hour approached, the protagonist of the ceremony finally made his appearance.

All eyes were fixed on the silver-robed man walking slowly towards them.

Meng Jianyuan's return was undoubtedly the most discussed topic in the Divine Dream Weaving Realm recently. Rumors claimed that he had spent all those years wandering the world alone, that he hadn't returned because he had lost his past memories... and that when Meng Kongchan recognized him, he was so moved that he shed tears as a Divine Venerable.

They had expected that a person who had wandered outside and had no memory of the Divine Realm would surely view it as an unattainable place, and would undoubtedly be extremely excited and bewildered to suddenly become a Divine Venerable's son.

Faced with today's situation immediately upon his return, and confronted by figures who, to him, should be as exalted as gods from the Heavenly Palace, he was expected to be nervous, cowering, flustered, and out of place...

Yet, the man in their sight was composed and unhurried in his steps. Not only was there no hint of nervousness or apprehension in his eyes, but instead... a distinct touch of languor, as if he had just awoken from a deep sleep.

Beyond his demeanor, his posture was tall and straight, and his features were exquisitely sculpted. With just a glance, his appearance and radiance clearly surpassed all of Meng Kongchan's other children... even outshining Meng Jianxi.

He stood before Meng Kongchan, his gaze sweeping around... Despite the unfamiliar faces and his cultivation at the third level of the Divine Master Realm, he conveyed a clear sense of disdain to everyone.

"Oh?" Dian Jiuzhi's eyes lit up with interest as he murmured to himself, "No wonder Dreamless Divine Venerable is so eager. This son... is certainly no ordinary person."

These words reached Meng Jianxi's ears, standing beside him. His fingers tightened slightly, but he smiled and said, "Although Brother Yuan suffered an ambush and wandered for a hundred years, his blood and soul remain that of a son of Dream Weaving. Not only Father God, but I too am extremely fond of and pleased with Brother Yuan as he is now."

"..." Dian Jiuzhi smiled without speaking.

"This son is quite different from what we expected," whispered voices could be heard subtly from within the Dream Halls.

"His appearance and demeanor are indeed surprising. Unfortunately, his cultivation is low, he has no foundation or popular support, and he's being pushed into the spotlight so early... What a pity."

Yun Che bowed to Meng Kongchan and Meng Xuanjue, "Yun Che pays respects to Dreamless Divine Venerable and to the Divine Empress. Due to a slight weariness, I nearly arrived late; please forgive me."

"Not late, just in time," Meng Kongchan said gently.

However, Yun Che's words sent a shock through the hearts of others present.

Meng Xuanjue frowned and spoke, "Yun Che? Dreamless Divine Venerable? Since you are Meng Jianyuan, the Divine Venerable's son, and have returned to the Divine Dream Weaving Realm, how can you still refer to yourself by your former name? And how dare you address your Father God by his divine name directly!"

Yun Che looked up and replied calmly, "Divine Empress, 'Meng Jianyuan' is the identity Dreamless Divine Venerable informed this junior of, but this junior has no memories from before the age of ten. Therefore, in heart and soul, I cannot fully accept or identify with this identity."

"The name Yun Che was bestowed upon me by my master. My life was saved by my master. How can an identity that descended from the void and holds no place in my memory compare to the profound, life-recreating grace of my master? Therefore, unless my past memories are restored, I wish only to be known as 'Yun Che.'"

"Simply preposterous!"

Meng Xuanjue's voice sharpened, and the crowd was in an uproar. "Meng Jianyuan's" words, to put it mildly, were childish, ridiculous, and ungrateful. To put it strongly, they were clearly disrespectful to Dream Weaving...

Before Meng Xuanjue could seize the opportunity to reprimand him, Meng Kongchan burst out laughing, "Hahahaha! Well said! Not to forget righteousness for gain, nor to forget gratitude for power! Truly worthy of being my son, Meng Kongchan's. All my children of Dream Weaving should uphold this principle!"

These words forcefully suppressed Meng Xuanjue's impending rebuke, contorting her face into an ugly grimace.

Meng Kongchan, seemingly oblivious, continued, "Yuan'er, if you were to decisively abandon your master's benevolence because of your identity as a Divine Venerable's son, your father would be deeply disappointed. For if that were the case, what difference would there be between you and those who pursue profit while forgetting righteousness, living their days as mere sycophants?"

The faces of those who had just intended to seize the opportunity to speak immediately turned crimson, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads.

This... this was possible?

Meng Jianxi rose and smiled, "Though Brother Yuan has wandered for a hundred years, he has still adhered to his true self, which is admirable and comforting. Father God's words are as vast and inclusive as the sea, fully demonstrating the boundless tolerance of our Divine Dream Weaving Realm."

Turning to Yun Che, he continued, "Brother Yuan, Mother Empress has always been strict, especially concerning matters of Dream Weaving's dignity. I hope you won't take her recent reprimand to heart, lest it create a rift with her."

In those few words, four or five pitfalls were hidden. Yun Che nodded slightly and replied indifferently, "Divine Son Xi, rest assured, I have not taken it to heart at all."

"Hmm." Meng Kongchan nodded. "Yuan'er, I will naturally find a way to restore your past memories. Until then, I grant you permission to retain the name 'Yun Che.' This is both to commend your gratitude and integrity, and to thank your master for saving your life. No one shall raise any further objections regarding this matter."

Without a doubt, Meng Kongchan was granting Yun Che the utmost leniency in front of everyone present.

He was also openly expressing his extreme doting affection for "Meng Jianyuan" to everyone.

This attitude, which had never been shown to anyone else, would undoubtedly cause subtle shifts in everyone's feelings to varying degrees.

"The time is almost right." Meng Kongchan took a step forward. "Yuan'er, come to your father's side."

His gaze, imbued with true divine authority, swept over the crowd, and his voice, carrying supreme divine aura, resonated throughout the Divine Dream Weaving Realm: "My son, Jianyuan, the first Divine Son of this generation in my Divine Dream Weaving Realm, suffered misfortune in his youth and safely returned only after wandering for a hundred years. This is my fault, and a loss for the Divine Realm."

"Today, I bestow upon my son Jianyuan the re-coronation as Divine Son, to celebrate his return and grant him new life!"

His gaze rested on Meng Jianxi. "Jianxi, after today's ceremony, Yuan'er will be a Divine Son alongside you. You two brothers shall work together with one heart, support each other, and share the future of Dream Weaving."

Meng Jianxi immediately stood up and solemnly declared, "I respectfully obey Father God's command! Your son will surely work wholeheartedly with Brother Yuan to share Father God's burdens and jointly forge the glory of Dream Weaving!"

"Very good!" Meng Kongchan nodded. "The Divine Son Enthronement Ceremony for my son, Meng Jianyuan, now begins..."

"Wait! Please, Venerable, hear me out first."

A sudden voice abruptly interrupted Dreamless Divine Venerable's words.

The speaker had already stood up. It was none other than the Lord of the Seventh Dream Hall... Meng Xuanji, Meng Jianxi's maternal uncle.