Chapter 2094: Fun

Yun Che took the main seat in the hall. Meng Jueci positioned himself with extreme humility, almost to the point of obsequiousness, expressing nothing but deep regret for past events.

Even in front of Meng Juexi, he had never been this submissive.

Yun Che, smiling, quoted the proverb, "One does not strike a smiling face," and said, "As Meng Jueyuan, I should still call you brother. What happened that day was merely a minor conflict due to differing stances; you truly don't need to be like this."

Meng Jueci quickly responded, "For God Child Yuan to be so magnanimous, Jueci is truly ashamed. From now on, if God Child Yuan has any command, Jueci will obey without hesitation, even if it means death."

"Those are weighty words; be careful not to utter them lightly," Yun Che said, his expression seemingly more serious. "If I were to take them seriously, wouldn't that severely damage the long-standing friendship between you and God Child Juexi?"

Meng Jueci, however, slowly shook his head. "As a descendant of the Meng Clan, Jueci's body and soul are entirely devoted to the Weaving Dream God Realm. Therefore, Jueci's loyalty in this life is never to any single individual, but to the sole God Child who controls the future of Weaving Dream!"

His words were quite subtle, as the phrase "sole God Child" could be interpreted in several different ways.

After speaking, he took two steps forward, extending both hands to hold a two-foot-square jade box. Mystical light shimmered around it, interweaving with at least three seals.

Meng Jueci placed the jade box on the tea table, then successively removed the three seals. As he opened the right side of the box, a brilliant light instantly radiated from within.

Meng Jueci carefully reached into the jade box and gently lifted out a small, soft armor shimmering with silver light.

"God Child Yuan," he said, holding the soft armor up with both hands, directly in front of Yun Che, "This armor is called the Spirit Armor of Annihilation. It was bestowed upon me by Father God when I broke through to the God Extinguishing Realm. Worn over the chest, it can instantly nullify even a full-force attack from a mid-stage demigod."

"Although God Child Yuan possesses unparalleled talent and a perfect divine essence, your age is still young and your cultivation is temporarily weaker, making you far more in need of this armor than I am. Indeed, God Child Yuan's safety is now the paramount concern of the Weaving Dream God Realm, and Father God will certainly ensure your complete protection. However, with this armor, there will be an additional layer of security, providing Father God and Jueci with greater peace of mind."

Yun Che's gaze rested on the silver armor, but his peripheral vision drifted towards the jade box. Anyone else present would surely not have overlooked the unusual radiance emanating from within it.

Yun Che reached out and unceremoniously took the soft armor. "Very well, since your intention is so sincere, I would be impolite to refuse. All past grievances between us are hereby settled. As for the future, it depends on where our paths lead."

Meng Jueci was overjoyed. "With these words from God Child Yuan, Jueci can finally rest easy..."

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Panicked shouts came from outside the hall, quickly approaching from a distance.

Meng Jueci spun around and snapped angrily, "Impudent! God Child Yuan is present; how dare you yell so loudly!"

The person shouting almost stumbled and crawled into the hall. "Your Highness, it's terrible! The Grand Madam's old illness has suddenly recurred, and she is already... already..."

"What?!"

Meng Jueci's face instantly changed. His hair seemed to stand on end as he instinctively rushed out. Just as he stepped through the hall door, he suddenly remembered Yun Che's presence and quickly turned back, his face filled with profound panic. "God Child Yuan, this concerns my wife's life. Jueci must excuse himself for now. Please make yourself at home here, God Child Yuan. Once my wife is well, Jueci will return to beg your forgiveness."

With that, he hurried away, vanishing in an instant.

Even the maid who had delivered the news had followed him, leaving Yun Che as the sole occupant of the hall.

Yun Che stood up and walked over to the jade box that Meng Jueci had forgotten to put away in his haste. With a flick of his finger, he opened it completely.

Instantly, a moon-like glow illuminated every corner of the hall. The immensely potent and pure spiritual energy was enough to cause any profound practitioner's profound veins to surge.

Yun Che reached out and took the divine jade, shimmering with moonlight, into his hand. It was a type of Abyssal Crystal, an extremely rare mutated variant whose power level far surpassed that of ordinary Abyssal Crystals.

"An Abyssal Crystal of this caliber would be considered a divine artifact even in the God Realm," Yun Che murmured. "Meng Jueci, at his level, should not be qualified to possess it."

As he spoke, Lisha's voice chimed in, "Meng Jueci is luring you to take it."

Yun Che's lips curved slightly. "See? Even you can easily tell."

"..." Lisha remained silent for a moment before saying, "It truly is a remarkably crude tactic."

"No, no," Yun Che immediately shook his head. "It may seem crude, but there's a lot more to it."

"?" Lisha was already accustomed to his contradictions.

Yun Che slowly explained, "The brilliance of this setup lies in Meng Jueci's demeanor. Today, he was so humble in front of me that he almost knelt down. This creates an illusion for me: that he now holds me in extreme awe and reliance, and whatever I want or request, he will eagerly and obediently offer."

"Thus," Yun Che raised the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade to his eyes, "upon first seeing such a rare treasure, the shock, excitement, and greed it incites would significantly erode one's rationality and judgment. Combined with the illusion that one can take it at will, it would be very easy to simply walk away with it."

"So..." Lisha said, "he wants to frame you?"

"Not precisely," Yun Che replied. "He intends to use this to tarnish my reputation. Once a stain like that adheres, it can never be truly washed away."

"I suspect this is just the first probe from Meng Juexi's faction. Similar tactics will follow in a chain. They can't directly act against me with force, so using such methods is a good overall choice, allowing them to achieve their goal without bloodshed and without leaving any direct evidence against themselves."

He seemed to be acknowledging this, but the curve of his lips was utterly derisive. He lowered his arm, seemingly intending to put the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade back into the jade box. However, the moment it was about to settle, he directly absorbed it into the Sky Poison Pearl.

The jade box closed with a heavy thud.

"Why did you still take it?" Lisha asked, puzzled.

Yun Che turned and strode briskly towards the exit. "Why would I refuse something delivered right to my doorstep?"

"If Meng Juexi were to behave himself, I wouldn't even bother to look his way. But since he dared to make a move, this Emperor doesn't mind reminding him how to spell 'regret'!"

"After all, even as the Emperor of Mist, destined to overturn the world, one should occasionally find some suitable amusement to relax."

Lisha: "..."

Shortly after Yun Che left, Meng Jueci, who had seemingly departed, quickly darted back. He went straight to the jade box and swiftly opened it.

Immediately, he froze, a clear look of surprise, far beyond his expectations, flashing across his face, which then transformed into profound ecstasy.

He abruptly extended his hand, and a concealed profound image stone was drawn into his palm. He quickly scanned it with his divine sense, and the joy on his face intensified severalfold.

A sound transmission profound array spread out before him, and he suppressed his excitement with difficulty as he said, "Empress, Meng Jueyuan secretly took the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade!"

"..." A long silence followed, as if she couldn't believe it at first. Then, Meng Xuanjue's voice slowly came through: "Are you certain? Did you record it with a profound image stone?"

Meng Jueci quickly replied, "The profound image stone is in my hand, with the entire process of him taking it perfectly recorded."

Meng Xuanjue let out a cold laugh. "I thought there was less than a twenty percent chance he would take it directly. It seems I overestimated him! He is, after all, an inferior individual who drifted for a century. Now that he has unexpectedly received Hua Qingying's protection and the Divine Master's favor, how could he not lose his composure and become carried away?"

Meng Jueci wholeheartedly agreed. "Exactly! What if he has a perfect divine essence? Most of the Dream Palaces are on God Child Juexi's side. With just a few simple maneuvers, we can gradually drag him deeper into the mire. It won't be long before he loses all qualification to contend with His Highness God Child Juexi."

"Empress, should I report this matter to Father God now?"

"No," Meng Xuanjue's voice was low, and even through the sound transmission profound array, it felt as if one could see her chilling and terrifying gaze as she spoke. "If we tell the Divine Master first, he will surely suppress it directly. Inform all Nine Dream Palaces of this matter; not one can be missed! At the same time, spread the news as widely as possible."

"Meng Jueyuan has just gained widespread fame, yet his nature is despicable and greedy, utterly audacious. He even secretly stole the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade that the Divine Master bestowed upon the Weaving Dream God Child. This news will be enough to cause quite a stir throughout the entire Weaving Dream God Realm."

Upon returning to the God Child Hall, Yun Che went directly to his sleeping quarters, instructing along the way, "I'm a bit tired after so many days of cultivation. Zhiyao, wait outside. Unless it's a matter of utmost importance, do not allow anyone to enter."

Unfortunately, Yun Che's rest did not last long. In less than an hour, the "matter of utmost importance" erupted.

"Meng Jueyuan, get out here!"

A furious roar echoed throughout the God Child Hall. Since the enthronement ceremony, no one had ever dared to act so presumptuously in front of the God Child Hall.

Meng Jueci's eyes were like swords, his face filled with rage—a stark contrast to his earlier subservience before Yun Che. Despite still being under house arrest, he had left his residence and brazenly forced his way into the God Child Hall.

A figure flashed, and Lu Laisheng stood before Meng Jueci. Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed... The formation of those who accompanied Meng Jueci could only be described as terrifying.

Meng Kongdu, Meng Chaoyang, Meng Jinghai... all Nine Dream Palace Masters had arrived!

"Your humble subordinate greets the Dream Masters," Lu Laisheng quickly bowed, his scalp tingling. At the same time, he secretly transmitted a message: "Quick! Go report to young master immediately."

The Second Dream Master, Meng Chaoyang, glanced around and said meaningfully, "It's truly rare for all of them to come. It seems someone deliberately wants to blow this matter up."

"Hmph!" Meng Xuanji said coldly, "The Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade is the only one of its kind in all of Weaving Dream, so its loss is inherently a major affair. Even more significant is that it concerns the character of our Weaving Dream's future God Child. How can we take it lightly!"

The Fifth Dream Master, Meng Chaofeng, implied, "From what I've observed of God Child Yuan's character, it's absolutely impossible for him to have done this. I fear there's a hidden scheme at play here."

"Then Dream Master Chaofeng is likely to be disappointed," Meng Jinghai said coldly.

At that moment, everyone's gaze shifted as they saw Yun Che slowly stroll out. He walked with a somewhat unsteady gait, his eyes still heavy with sleep. As he approached, he let out a long yawn, clearly looking as if he had just woken up.

As if only just noticing the figures standing by the hall entrance, the God Child Yuan, whose peaceful slumber had been disturbed, ungraciously remarked, "Oh, it's the Nine Dream Masters. And Meng Jueci, aren't you supposed to be under house arrest? How do you have the leisure to come here shouting?"

"Meng Jueyuan!" Meng Jueci's eyes blazed with fury. "I swallowed my pride and practically groveled at your feet to apologize to you! Yet, you harbor such malicious intent, seizing the opportunity to steal the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade! That is a divine artifact bestowed by Father God upon God Child Juexi!"

"Oh? The Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade?" Yun Che's face showed confusion, then comprehension. "Could it be that unusually bright variant Abyssal Crystal? That name truly doesn't fit it at all."

"Stop spouting nonsense, hand it over!" Meng Jueci seemed to have completely thrown caution to the wind, declaring fiercely, "Otherwise, even if you are the God Child Yuan everyone speaks of, I will never let this go!"

Yun Che touched his chin and narrowed his eyes, watching him. "Stealing? Meng Jueci, you'd better be clear about what you're saying."

"What are you all doing here?!"

A majestic, deep voice rang out, causing everyone's expressions to tighten. Then, almost involuntarily, they all bowed in unison. "Greetings, Divine Master."

Meng Kongcan's figure rapidly approached from a distance. Behind him were the Grand Palace Master Meng Zangji and Meng Juexi, whose expression was difficult to discern.

All Nine Dream Palace Masters were unexpectedly present, causing Meng Kongcan's expression to darken slightly. His gaze swept over each person as he calmly said, "Jueci, who gave you the audacity to leave your residence without permission?"

Meng Jueci dropped to his knees with a thud, saying in a pained voice, "How could your child dare to defy Father God's command? But... your child has lost the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade that Father God bestowed upon His Highness, the God Child. This is a matter of such immense importance that even if I face several times the punishment, I dare not be even slightly remiss."

He abruptly turned his head, pointing a finger at Yun Che, his tone growing sharp as he accused, "It was God Child Yuan! After being severely reprimanded by Father God that day, your child felt deeply guilty and invited God Child Yuan to my residence every day to personally apologize. Today, God Child Yuan finally honored me with his presence. Your child knelt and apologized, and even presented the Spirit Armor of Annihilation to God Child Yuan."

"However, Su Qin suddenly suffered a recurrence of her old illness, and your child had to rush to suppress it with profound energy. God Child Yuan, however, seized this opportunity to steal the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade that His Highness, the God Child, had entrusted to your child."

Meng Juexi's hands clenched and unclenched intermittently, and his eye twitched uneasily.

Meng Chaoyang interjected, "This is curious. Why would Juexi's Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade be in your possession?"

Meng Jueci immediately replied, "His Highness, the God Child, intended to activate the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade only after breaking through to the fifth level of the God Extinguishing Realm. As my soul's progress has recently been obstructed, His Highness temporarily placed the Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade in my care, so its divine light could nourish my soul and aid in my breakthrough."

"This was a great kindness from His Highness, the God Child, and an immense trust, yet I..."

He said mournfully, "This matter is of great importance, and in my desperation, Jueci caused such a commotion, alarming even Father God and all the Dream Masters... Jueci truly deserves no forgiveness."

"..." Meng Juexi stared deeply at Meng Jueci, but could not step forward to deny anything.

"Yuan'er," Meng Kongcan spoke, his face devoid of emotion. "Did you take that Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade, as Jueci claims?"

"Of course not," Yun Che replied, his eyes still clear despite the lingering sleepiness. "If I want something, I would naturally ask the Divine Master for it."

"Mm." Meng Kongcan nodded slightly.

"Of course you wouldn't admit it!" Meng Zangji stepped forward, his face full of rage. "Jueci, you accuse Meng Jueyuan so confidently; do you have any conclusive evidence?"

"Of course I do!"

Meng Jueci extended his hand, his palm holding the profound image stone he had already prepared. As he lightly expelled profound energy, the inscribed image instantly projected forth.

In the image, Yun Che stood before the jade box, his back to the profound image stone's location. Though his back was turned, it was still clearly visible that he took the strangely shimmering Heavenly Enlightenment Divine Jade from the box, observed it, and then put it back... However, during the act of putting it down, the divine light suddenly extinguished. As Yun Che turned to leave, the jade box also closed completely.

The projection faded, and the atmosphere instantly fell silent, with varied expressions on everyone's faces.

Meng Zangji's hair stood on end with rage, and he roared, "Meng Jueyuan, this old man never imagined you would truly dare to commit such a despicable act! Now, what do you have to say for yourself?!"