Chapter 2105

Li Shuo whispered, "But after today, Divine Officials are bound to come here."

"More than just Divine Officials," Yun Che chuckled meaningfully. "It wouldn't be surprising if the Abyss Emperor himself appeared. After all, he will soon see things beyond his comprehension through projections that are spreading wildly!"

"So..." Li Shuo said, "What you want is to disrupt the heart of the Pure Land?"

"No," Yun Che's face was pale from weakness, yet it still carried a chilling aura that made one's heart tremble. "What I want to disrupt is the hearts of everyone in this entire Abyss world."

Yun Che looked up, softly recalling the words Chi Wuyao had spoken to him before the devil's arrival in the Eastern Divine Region: "To destroy a domain, first sow chaos in its heart; to sow chaos in its heart, first shatter its beliefs." The Abyss Emperor was, without doubt, the highest faith in this world.

"After today, the 'Mist Emperor' will not easily reappear for some time. My cultivation in the Mist Sea must also be extremely cautious. For now, we simply wait and observe how the world changes."

The "Abyssal Core" was not only implanted into the souls of the Abyssal Knights but was also spreading through the hands of Abyssal Profound Practitioners to the hearts of all beings in the Abyss. Yun Che couldn't predict what kind of evil flower this "Abyssal Core" would bloom in the Abyss today, but he was immensely looking forward to it.

Yu Chi Nanxing slowly regained consciousness. The severe pain throughout his body and his gradually awakening consciousness cruelly reminded him that everything that had happened was not a nightmare.

"Nanxing, you're finally awake."

Bai Yu's figure came into view as his vision cleared. Bai Yu also appeared heavily injured and disheveled, but nowhere near as dire as Yu Chi Nanxing. He had woken much earlier and even had the strength to set up a healing profound formation for him. The newly awakened Yu Chi Nanxing, however, stared blankly at the sky, remaining silent for a long time. In his eyes, there was a despair Bai Yu had never seen before. Bai Yu was all too aware of the blow today's events had dealt Yu Chi Nanxing. Since becoming one of the thirty-six commanders of the Abyssal Knights, he had barely sustained even minor injuries, let alone such severe wounds. But infinitely more terrifying than the physical injuries was the profound impact the Mist Emperor's words had on his beliefs.

"The Mist Emperor didn't kill us," Bai Yu said. "Perhaps... he didn't dare." Yet, he knew himself how flimsy that reason was.

Yu Chi Nanxing shifted his gaze and found himself in a desolate land, surrounded by a multitude of profound practitioners with varied expressions. However, their profound energy auras were remarkably chaotic. There were even many frail women and young children who should have been protected within a barrier, not exposed to the abyssal dust. Their eyes were hollow, their expressions desolate, and they stared blankly into the unknown distance.

"Where... is this?" he finally spoke.

Bai Yu's expression was complex as he replied, "East of the Profound Desolation Realm. The original Profound Desolation Realm has already... been swallowed by the Mist Sea."

The brief phrase "swallowed by the Mist Sea" caused Yu Chi Nanxing to react for a very long time. Finally, he let out a dazed murmur: "How... could this be..."

"Indeed, how could this be!"

The same four words, but uttered with a tremor... and an indignation that should never be shown towards an Abyssal Knight. Mo Xifeng approached, his steps heavy and faltering despite his Divine Extinction Realm Level One cultivation. "Knight Lord," he pleaded, "please arrange another habitable place for us, the displaced people who have lost their homeland. Otherwise, if too much time passes, these weaker individuals will surely perish in the abyssal dust."

Mo Xifeng's voice and demeanor had lost all their previous deference; he was clearly struggling to control his emotions. Bai Yu's brows furrowed sharply, and he said coldly, "Are you ordering me? It was the Mist Emperor of the Mist Sea who destroyed the Profound Desolation Realm!"

Mo Xifeng gave a bitter laugh. "Before today, the Mist Emperor only bestowed immense grace upon my Profound Desolation Realm. Under the Mist Emperor's favor, even without a shielding barrier, the abyssal dust was thin enough for women and children to briefly endure. Thus, in not much time, the Profound Desolation Realm was destined to become a place where countless profound practitioners would vie to reside, and its prosperity would surely far surpass anything before. And those who destroyed all this... are you!" Mo Xifeng seemed to have completely given in, directly pointing at Bai Yu and Yu Chi Nanxing, his face contorted with uncontrolled rage and hatred. "It was your coercion! It was you who made the Mist Emperor withdraw his grace and bring down divine punishment!"

"Impudent!" Bai Yu roared, the majesty of the Pure Land erupting with his sudden fury.

"Father!" Mo Qianyou rushed over frantically, desperately pulling Mo Xifeng's arm, then bowed nervously to Bai Yu. "Please calm your anger, Knight Lord. My father dedicated his entire life to the Profound Desolation Realm. Now that it has been swallowed by the Mist Sea, he is utterly heartbroken and spoke without thinking. Please forgive him, Knight Lord!"

Mo Xifeng, however, abruptly flung his arm, sending Mo Qianyou flying backward. "The Profound Desolation Realm is gone, our roots are gone, what more is there to fear from Abyssal Knights!" Mo Xifeng raised his hand, pointing at Bai Yu again. "Qianyou, look closely, remember well: they are Abyssal Knights, but more than that, they are the enemies and criminals who destroyed the Profound Desolation Realm and our generational foundation!"

"Hah!" Bai Yu laughed in extreme anger. "So, King of the Profound Desolation Realm, what do you intend to do?"

"Hahahah!" Mo Xifeng responded with an even more desolate, cold laugh. "What do I intend to do? Facing the noble Abyssal Knights, what can a mere ruler of a small habitable land do? Then, as noble Abyssal Knights, you caused an entire habitable land to lose the grace that could have benefited a hundred generations, and you caused everyone to become displaced. How then should you... exercise the justice and glory that symbolize the Pure Land! Or are you saying that everything you uphold, just like the words 'Abyss Emperor,' is merely a lie to deceive the world!"

The first part could still be considered a grievance born of extreme anger and was somewhat forgivable. But the latter sentence undoubtedly struck hard at the bottom line of what any Abyssal Knight could tolerate. Killing intent abruptly surged within Bai Yu's fury. He slowly raised his head, his voice as cold as the abyss: "You... seek death!"

Frost crystallized, and his pale sword appeared between his fingers... but for a long time, it did not point at Mo Xifeng. Even the killing intent that had just risen within him suddenly froze. As he looked up, he met gaze after gaze. The eyes looking back at him held fear, confusion, indifference... and deeply hidden resentment. Gone was the familiar eagerness, worship, longing, and reverence. The surging killing intent suddenly transformed into an unprecedented sense of powerlessness, and even his vision blurred.

"Bai Yu," Yu Chi Nanxing spoke weakly, "Let's go."

The frost and blade vanished from Bai Yu's hand. He took the severely injured Yu Chi Nanxing and silently flew away. Suddenly, he stopped again. After a violent heaving of his chest, he abruptly flung his hand backward, and a pure white jade stone flew down, landing in front of Mo Xifeng.

"This is my Knight's token. Head northeast and find a habitable land called the Chalk Realm. That is my homeland. With this token, the Chalk Realm will take you in and settle you... How many survive will depend on your own fate. When I have finished with the matters of the Pure Land, I will... personally return to the Chalk Realm to make arrangements for you."

Having said that, he no longer lingered, taking Yu Chi Nanxing and leaving. He moved quickly, as if he no longer wished to endure their gazes.

The Qiankun Profound Formation in the cultivation space flashed red, and Yun Che swiftly walked out. He removed the Abyssal Reversal Stone from his body. In just a few breaths, his external aura had returned to normal, restoring the Yun Che perceived by others. Taking several deep breaths to conceal his weakness and fatigue, he stepped out of the cultivation space. Then, with a relaxed demeanor, he strolled into the pavilion in the courtyard, allowing Zhanyi to serve him tea and snacks while Helu tidied his hair, appearing utterly at ease.

Not long after, a familiar aura rapidly approached the Divine Son's Palace. Meng Zhiyuan soon came to report, "Young Master, Divine Son Xi wishes to see you."

"Let him in."

Meng Jianxi arrived with hurried steps and a solemn expression. His appearance immediately made Yun Che straighten up and sit upright. "What major event has occurred?"

"It is indeed a major event, but it's not directly related to our Divine Dream Realm," Meng Jianxi stated directly. "An unusual incident occurred in the Mist Sea an hour ago."

"An hour ago?" Yun Che frowned deeply, his expression instantly growing several shades more serious. "It's already spread from the Mist Sea to here in just an hour? This truly seems significant. Tell me more."

Meng Jianxi asked, "Does Brother Yuan know of the 'Mist Emperor'?"

"Of course." Yun Che looked puzzled. "Are you saying... this matter is related to the 'Mist Emperor'? But according to the news from Xuanji Palace, this so-called Mist Emperor is just a charade created by some people in the Mist Sea who defy the Pure Land. Has he caused another major commotion?"

Meng Jianxi let out a long sigh. "Over the past year, various rumors about the Mist Emperor have emerged one after another, growing increasingly exaggerated. Before today, Brother Yuan and I held the same view on the 'Mist Emperor.' I always believed that only the incredibly foolish would truly believe those absurd rumors about him. However, the complexity of the world sometimes far exceeds what imagination can grasp."

Meng Jianxi took out a Profound Image Stone. "The details are hard for me to describe. Brother Yuan will understand once you see it."

"No need to avoid it," Meng Jianxi told Liu Zhanyi and Shangguan Helu, who were about to discreetly withdraw. "There were hundreds of thousands of witnesses to this event, all profound practitioners from different habitable lands. Its spread is unstoppable; it won't be long before the entire world knows."

The Profound Image Stone projected a scene: the Abyssal Knights confronting the Mist Emperor. The Mist Emperor, the Primordial Qilin God, the trampled Abyssal Knights, the swirling abyssal mist, the sky full of abyssal beasts... all the elements the Mist Emperor wished to present were perfectly captured. Although the distance was considerable, every fleeting image, every abyssal roar from the Mist Emperor, was enough to shake one's soul and shatter perceptions. At the end of the projection, after the Mist Emperor's declaration of divine punishment, the Mist Sea suddenly expanded like a divine judgment, gradually engulfing the Profound Desolation Realm.

The projection ended, but Yun Che remained staring fixedly ahead, as if his soul had left his body. Even after watching it again, waves of emotion still churned in Meng Jianxi's heart. He remained silent, allowing Yun Che to quietly process everything he had witnessed.

After a few breaths, Yun Che finally turned his gaze. "Divine Son Xi, what is your view on this matter?"

Meng Jianxi shook his head. "As it involves the Abyss Emperor, I dare not speak carelessly."

"You dare not speak carelessly, meaning you don't fully believe it, but you don't completely disbelieve it either," Yun Che said calmly.

Meng Jianxi let out a soft sigh and spoke profoundly, "That the Mist Emperor can control abyssal dust is true, and that he can control abyssal beasts is true. If everything he said is true... then the very beginning of this Abyss world would become a colossal lie." If the beginning was a lie, then everything that followed would, without doubt, be shrouded in that lie.

Yun Che closed his eyes in thought, then said after a long while, "If even you think this way, let alone the rest of the world. However, this is a matter for the Pure Land to worry about. It's best not to discuss it, whether with outsiders or close acquaintances," Yun Che gave the most rational response for someone from a Divine Kingdom. He then added, "Speaking of this Mist Emperor, could he... be a human in disguise?"

"Absolutely impossible," Meng Jianxi shook his head without hesitation.

"Why are you so certain?"

"Who is the pinnacle of humanity in this world?" Meng Jianxi countered.

"The Abyss Emperor," Yun Che stated the only answer.

"Exactly," Meng Jianxi calmly replied. "No one in this world is stronger than the Abyss Emperor. Even someone as mighty as the Abyss Emperor cannot possibly control abyssal dust and abyssal beasts, yet the Mist Emperor can. He must be, as he claimed, a destructive spirit condensed and mutated from abyssal dust, on a level far surpassing abyssal beasts, and absolutely not a human."

Yun Che pondered for a long time. "Let's leave this matter to the Pure Land. Have there been any recent changes among the Divine Sons and Daughters of the various kingdoms?"

Seeing that Yun Che was unwilling to discuss the Abyss Emperor, Meng Jianxi followed suit and responded, "Jiuzhi of the Senluo Divine Son's Palace suddenly announced he would enter seclusion three days ago. He likely intends to try and break through to Divine Extinction Realm Level Eight before the Pure Land audience. The Heaven-Folding Divine Daughter Hua Caili is focused on the Seven-Star Heaven-Folding Formation; her progress in breaking through is unknown... The Eternal Night Divine Daughter Shen Wuyi has had no news, likely never having left the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom. The Owl Butterfly Divine Son Pan Buzhuo recently achieved mastery of his dark profound art, much to the delight of Venerable Qiheng. Additionally, someone reportedly encountered the former Owl Butterfly Divine Son Pan Buwang in the Mist Sea. After learning of this, the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom ceased sending people to search for him, seemingly abandoning him entirely, leaving his fate, whether alive or dead, to chance. The twin Divine Sons of the Star Moon Divine Kingdom have long been at the peak of Divine Extinction Realm Level Three. To achieve a breakthrough before the Pure Land audience, they had prepared to venture deep into the Mist Sea for cultivation. It's unknown if today's events in the Mist Sea will affect their decision."

Yun Che's heart stirred suddenly, and he casually remarked, "It seems all the great Divine Kingdoms are extremely concerned about their Divine Successors' performance before the Abyss Emperor."

"That is inevitable," Meng Jianxi reassured him. "But Brother Yuan, you don't need to feel any pressure; you are still young..."

"Of course, I feel no pressure at all," Yun Che said with a smile. "After all, you are the Divine Son of my Divine Dream Kingdom. Even if I accompany you and the Venerable to an audience with the Abyss Emperor, I'll merely be an ordinary attendant."

Meng Jianxi helplessly shook his head, offering a wry smile. He could clearly see that Yun Che intended for him to represent the Divine Dream Kingdom's Divine Son in all matters, while Yun Che himself would grow unburdened and undisturbed.

After Meng Jianxi left, Yun Che stood silently in the pavilion for a very long time.

The Star Moon twins... It seems there's something else to do.