Chapter 2085: Sealing God Ceremony (Part 2)

Cloud Che's words and actions left those present stunned, dumbfounded, bewildered, or secretly amused, showcasing a wide array of expressions.

And the expression of Meng Zangji, who was second only to the Divine Sovereign in the Weaving Dream God Realm and above all others, was so captivating that none of the Dream Masters had ever witnessed anything like it.

But Meng Zangji was Meng Zangji. After being caught off guard by Yun Che's entirely unexpected maneuver, he quickly regained his composure, his voice returning to its calm and weighty tone: "As expected of the Venerable Sovereign's son, truly exceptionally intelligent. What you just said indeed aligns with my thoughts."

"Your cultivation is vastly different from Jianxi's; this is evident to everyone. It's an undeniable fact that your cultivation is far inferior to Weaving Dream Profound Practitioners of the same realm. Since you possess such self-awareness, you should understand that, at least for now, you are far from suitable to become a Divine Son alongside Jianxi."

He paused slightly, his voice suddenly sharp: "As for arranging profound practitioners of the same realm to humiliate you... that's utterly nonsensical!"

"Meng Jianyuan, as the Venerable Sovereign's son, you should place more importance on your conduct and demeanor! Your manner is undisciplined, you show no respect for elders, and you speak such baseless lies... How can someone like you be fit to become a Weaving Dream Divine Son!"

Meng Zangji's words were well-reasoned and imposing, carrying the sorrowful disappointment of an elder towards a junior. However, those who knew him well understood that he was, in fact, furious... to be so easily provoked by a junior he had just met.

"Baseless lies?"

In contrast to Meng Zangji, Yun Che's expression remained calm and composed. He feigned an air of puzzlement that anyone could see through: "That's quite odd then. To prevent me from becoming a Weaving Dream Divine Son, you would surely question and criticize my aptitude and cultivation. And to prove these doubts, to prove my unworthiness, you'd definitely arrange for a few profound practitioners of my realm to suddenly challenge me, letting me suffer a humiliating defeat so I wouldn't dare aspire to the title of Divine Son again... Hmm? Such a simple, natural, and perfectly logical follow-up, and you claim to have made no arrangements at all?"

His eyes widened slightly, magnifying the doubt within them, and he turned his gaze towards Meng Jianxi: "Divine Son Jianxi, are the people in your faction truly that useless?"

No matter how much Meng Zangji tried to control his emotions, his long white beard trembled slightly.

"Pfft..." Dian Jiuzhi let out a snicker, then instantly suppressed it, as if nothing had happened.

The word "faction" was extremely sensitive, regardless of the Divine Realm or even powers outside of them.

Meng Jianxi indeed had a faction tied to his destiny, led by his maternal clan. This was an open secret throughout the Weaving Dream God Realm.

But no one could have imagined that "Meng Jianyuan," who had just returned to the Weaving Dream God Realm and hadn't even found his footing, would dare to utter these forbidden words directly in front of everyone.

"..." Meng Kongchan's expression remained unchanged, and he said nothing, simply watching the events unfold. After all, Hua Fuchen had, that day, worn a foxy smile and explicitly told him to let Yun Che handle it himself.

Strangely, even though Yun Che was facing Meng Zangji, Meng Xuanji, Meng Kongdu... an entire faction of Meng Jianxi's supporters, Meng Kongchan felt no worry in his heart.

Perhaps subconsciously, he believed that being able to capture Hua Caili, who was betrothed to Dian Jiuzhi, right under Hua Qingying's nose... was far more difficult than facing the Nine Great Dream Halls alone.

Under the varied gazes of the entire assembly, Meng Jianxi stood up, the smile gone from his face, his brows slightly furrowed: "Brother Yuan, those words are inappropriate. We of the Weaving Dream are all from the same root; even if our opinions sometimes differ, our hearts are always devoted to Weaving Dream. There has never been talk of factions. Brother Yuan, please never speak those two words again."

"The Grand Hall Master and the others temporarily opposing your becoming a Weaving Dream Divine Son is based on their considerations accumulated over countless years, solely for the title of 'Divine Son,' not for my sake, nor against you personally. As for deliberately arranging people to humiliate you, that is absolutely out of the question."

His expression was serious, his words simple yet rigorous. In just a few sentences, he delivered a lecture from a Divine Son to an ordinary Imperial Son, an elder brother to a clan junior, and his admonishment carried a noticeable hint of disappointment.

The last sentence seemed like an admonition, but upon closer thought, it could also be interpreted as disdain... as if to say, "Are you even worthy of the Grand Hall Master and the others specifically targeting you?"

Facing Meng Jianxi, Yun Che still wore a smiling face: "Oh, is that so? Then..."

He raised an arm, suddenly pointing backward, and several wisps of profound energy, gleaming with light, shot towards a few young profound practitioners seated behind them: "Then what about these people?"

Everyone's gaze immediately fell upon the people indicated by the red profound light... In an instant, the six great Dream Masters of Meng Jianxi's faction felt a violent tremor in their hearts, and Meng Jianze, who had been quietly observing, drastically changed his expression, almost losing control and rising to his feet.

Because the nine people indicated by the profound light were all personally arranged by him to "challenge" Yun Che at the opportune moment.

Not one more, not one less... not a single one missing!

The shock to his spirit in that instant was truly like seeing a ghost or a god.

Enjoying Meng Jianxi's still composed expression, Yun Che slowly said: "These nine people are very strange. Just now, while the Divine Sovereign, the Grand Hall Master, and all the Dream Masters were speaking eloquently, and everyone else was attentively listening, only these nine individuals kept glancing at me. Each time, their eyes would dart away nervously, yet they would always scan back again and again."

"Even more remarkably, the cultivation of all nine of these individuals is precisely the same as mine: Divine Master Realm Level Three."

These nine profound practitioners all came from the subordinate forces of the Weaving Dream God Realm. They were already anxious and fearful, each with their own thoughts. Now, suddenly pointed out by Yun Che and under everyone's scrutiny, their bodies instantly tensed, their faces alternating between red and pale, filled with extreme unease.

"Meng Jianyuan!"

No longer addressing him as "Brother Yuan," Meng Jianxi seemed genuinely enraged. His face openly displayed his profound disappointment: "You have just escaped misfortune and returned to Weaving Dream. I believe I have been tolerant and yielding towards you at every turn. But what you have said and done today is utterly excessive! To forcibly slander others now, you even drag innocent profound practitioners into the mess you've created!"

The disappointment in his voice gradually intensified with grief and indignation: "Perhaps, during your century abroad, you were forced to learn some vile rules of survival. But this is the Weaving Dream God Realm, where souls should be pure and conduct open and honest. How can such despicable behavior be tolerated!"

"Your actions will not only fail to help you become a Divine Son but will instead... instead..."

He let out a long sigh, as if suppressing a burst of anger, and his voice became much softer: "Brother Yuan, don't be like this. At the very least, don't betray Father God's utmost affection and tolerance for you."

Meng Jianxi's words immediately drew everyone's thoughts to the rules of survival outside the Divine Realm... The terror of Yuan Chen was known to all, and the survival rules it spawned were extremely cruel. It was easy to imagine the principles of survival one would adopt after a century alone outside, and it was no surprise what kind of dirty and despicable methods one would naturally employ.

Meng Jianxi believed his words were utterly brilliant, and should at least make Yun Che's face flush with embarrassment. However, to his disappointment... and even shock, Yun Che's smile didn't diminish in the slightest; instead, the curve of his lips hinted at even more biting mockery.

*Clap! Clap! Clap!*

"Well said, truly excellent," Yun Che applauded, praising him. "Divine Son Jianxi, be sure to remember your words."

As Meng Jianxi spoke, Meng Jianze had already secretly completed his voice transmission. At this moment, he sprang to his feet and loudly declared: "Your Highness Divine Son, everyone in Weaving Dream knows your broad-mindedness and excellent cultivation, but Meng Jianyuan is already like this. Why waste your composure on him?"

He turned, bowing deeply to Meng Kongchan: "Father God! You have personally witnessed Meng Jianyuan's words and actions today. He acted improperly in public, showed no upbringing, was rude in his speech and conduct, and, not only disrespectful to elders, but he even forcibly slandered His Highness Divine Son and the various Dream Masters in front of you, Father God, and in front of everyone present. His methods are so despicable... If such a person were to become a Weaving Dream Divine Son, not to mention outsiders, even your son would feel utterly ashamed."

Yun Che glanced sideways, suddenly feigning realization: "Oh! Meng Jianze, the rumored chief lackey under Meng Jianxi. I see, I see."

How to enrage a Divine Sovereign's son with a single sentence...

Under everyone's gaze, Meng Jianze's pale face rapidly turned crimson, then, even more astonishingly, a purplish-blue.

Meng Jianze knew he couldn't lose his composure, but the blood rushing to his head made him let out a low growl: "Meng Jianyuan, you... actually..."

Just then, a surge of profound energy suddenly swelled, and a figure abruptly leapt into the arena, then directly knelt before Meng Kongchan: "I am An Zhiming, the thirty-seventh imperial prince of the An Meng Kingdom. I humbly dare to request a challenge against Imperial Son Jianyuan."

This sudden appearance drew everyone's attention, and the person who called himself An Zhiming was precisely one of the nine individuals Yun Che had just pointed out with his profound energy.

His voice was hoarse, his body visibly trembling, his head bowed low, afraid to look up... yet he was openly challenging the soon-to-be-anointed Divine Son in such a setting.

Meng Kongchan squinted: "Why?"

"Reporting to the Divine Sovereign," An Zhiming said with his head bowed, "I am merely an imperial prince from a minor kingdom. Even a small person has dignity. Though I was unjustly slandered by Imperial Son Jianyuan just now, and my heart was filled with grief and indignation, I am a humble person of little influence and dared not speak out... However, Imperial Son Jianze has shown great kindness to my imperial family, and for him to be subjected to such vicious words from Imperial Son Jianyuan, I can tolerate being slandered myself, but I cannot accept my benefactor being spoken of so vilely!"

"Since Imperial Son Jianyuan claims I was deliberately arranged..." He turned his gaze, glancing in Yun Che's direction: "Then I, in accordance with Imperial Son Jianyuan's implication, shall issue a challenge to Imperial Son Jianyuan, as a fellow Level Three Divine Master!"

At this point, An Zhiming had no retreat, and his voice even carried a considerable aura of determination: "As Imperial Son Jianyuan himself stated, I am merely from a small, subordinate kingdom. Imperial Son Jianyuan will surely win with ease."

"But if by some slim chance I manage to gain a slight advantage... a Weaving Dream Divine Son, in our eyes, is a figure like a heavenly deity. If one truly falls short even compared to me... even if I am just a humble outsider, I would find it unacceptable for such a person to become a Weaving Dream Divine Son."

Meng Kongchan listened quietly until he finished, then smiled faintly, saying meaningfully: "Knowing you are an outsider from a small kingdom, yet daring to speak so freely in front of this Venerable One. Heh heh, though humble, your courage is as vast as the heavens."

An Zhiming remained prostrate on the ground, unable to move... but Meng Jianxi's spirit recoiled sharply.

After Meng Kongchan finished speaking, without waiting for An Zhiming's reaction, he instead asked Yun Che: "Yuan'er, what do you think?"

Yun Che nodded slightly, took two steps forward, and directed a wisp of profound energy towards An Zhiming: "An Zhiming, isn't it? Get up."

Lost in a daze, An Zhiming was involuntarily lifted by the profound energy. When he looked up, his gaze met Yun Che's directly.

"Hmm... your attire and accessories are quite luxurious, your profound energy pure. You must enjoy high-level resources normally. I doubt you'd take such a huge risk merely for wealth and prospects."

Yun Che unabashedly scrutinized An Zhiming, murmuring to himself.

"Your eyes are clear. After all, you were born into royalty, your life has been smooth, making it difficult to commit grave misdeeds that would leave a fatal handle for others."

"Therefore, there's only one possibility," Yun Che's eyes narrowed. "Tell me, which of your beloved relatives or friends has been coerced? Or... is it the fate of your entire imperial family that's being held over your head?"

An Zhiming's body visibly swayed, and his pupils contracted for an instant. He forcibly steadied himself and said: "Coerced? I don't understand Imperial Son Jianyuan's baseless words..."

"Hahahahaha!" Yun Che burst into laughter as if he had just heard a joke: "Is it that you don't understand, or that you 'dare not not understand'?"

His gaze sharpened, and his voice, imbued with profound energy, reverberated through the air: "Though I was missing for a century and lost my past, Divine Sovereign Wumeng's favor for me remains undiminished. Even knowing there would be opposition and pressure, he still intends to establish me as a Divine Son. This alone is telling."

"Therefore, even Meng Jianxi's faction, who least wishes for me to become a Divine Son, only put forward figures of Dream Master caliber today. Because, with the status of a Dream Master, unless one is utterly foolish, who would dare to provoke the Divine Sovereign Wumeng?"

Again, directly targeted... Meng Jianxi's brows furrowed, but he found no opening to interject.

"And you," Yun Che's gaze returned to An Zhiming, "a mere imperial prince from a small, subordinate kingdom, yet you dare to speak such words in front of Divine Sovereign Wumeng, directed at the one he is about to crown as Divine Son... Tsk, this is more than just incredibly bold. Surely, as a prince of a nation, you must know that if the Divine Sovereign wished to obliterate your royal family, to destroy your entire nation, it would be but a flick of a finger."

An Zhiming's hands clenched, trembling violently.

"Yet you still did it. That can only mean you suffered coercion that you couldn't refuse," Yun Che's lips curved slightly, speaking unhurriedly. "Forcing you, a profound practitioner from a subordinate kingdom, to challenge me, the soon-to-be-anointed Divine Son."

"If I had accepted and then been defeated... defeated by a profound practitioner of the same realm from a subordinate kingdom, that would have branded me with immense shame, so much so that Divine Sovereign Wumeng might be too ashamed to crown me as Divine Son. And if I hadn't accepted... that would mean I lacked even the courage to face a challenge from a profound practitioner of the same realm from a subordinate kingdom. How could I then be worthy of being a Weaving Dream Divine Son? Tsk, tsk!"

Yun Che spread his hands, shaking his head. "Such a crude tactic, even a sow could see through it instantly. As for who's behind it, it's so obvious, anyone could shout it out."

"As for your pile of excuses, even a sow would shake its head hearing them. Oh... I suppose I exposed you, so you had to come up with new pretexts. It must have been quite difficult for you to conjure such reasons on such short notice."

Having said that, he scanned the entire hall. Facing a sea of stunned faces, he asked in an exceedingly perplexed tone: "Surely, there's no one who genuinely can't see through this, is there?"

No one responded, their expressions varied.

Everyone knew perfectly well who least wanted Meng Jianyuan to become another Weaving Dream Divine Son. And everyone also knew that the Grand Hall Master, Meng Xuanji, and the others all belonged to Meng Jianxi's faction.

After Yun Che's speech, who could still not see clearly?

The methods employed by Meng Jianxi's faction were indeed remarkably simple, and remarkably effective. In their eyes, Meng Jianyuan had only returned to the Weaving Dream God Realm seven days prior, possessed only Divine Master cultivation, and had no foundation or popular support within the Divine Realm. He simply wasn't worthy of their elaborate scheming; this approach was already considered giving him enormous "attention."

All sorts of overt and covert struggles, calculations, and schemes constantly played out in every Divine Realm and every power. But no one had ever imagined that this "Meng Jianyuan," who seemed to have fallen from the sky, would directly and completely tear open such machinations in public.

He not only exposed the "crude tactics" he spoke of but also the reputations of the high-ranking and influential figures of the Weaving Dream God Realm.

Without any reservations, leaving no room for politeness or any possibility of retreat!

"Meng Jianyuan!"

Meng Jianxi stomped his foot and rose. At this point, even if he didn't want to be angry, he had to be.

He glared furiously: "Are you implying that this Divine Son is behind this!?"

"No, no, no," Yun Che quickly denied, "No implication. Meng Jianxi, I'm stating it plainly: it is you."