Chapter 2116: Evil God's Final Memory

"Are they the Pure Lands Divine Guard?" Yun Che whispered.

These three wore brocade robes instead of armor, clearly not Abyss Knights.

"Yes," Meng Jinxie transmitted in response. "They have no power of judgment and rarely leave the Pure Lands throughout their lives, overseeing everything within. In the eyes of the world, their status is inferior to that of Abyss Knights. However, you must not underestimate them for that reason."

Profound practitioners who fail the Pure Lands trials and are thus unqualified to become Abyss Knights are expelled from the Pure Lands. However, if they pass the character trials within, they have an additional option besides leaving: remaining in the Pure Lands to become Pure Lands Divine Guard.

Becoming a Pure Lands Divine Guard often means being unable to step out of the Pure Lands for the rest of one's life, which is equivalent to abandoning their previous life and binding their future.

The majority of Pure Lands Divine Guard originate from this path. Once they become Divine Guard, they rarely appear outside the Pure Lands, and naturally, the world knows little about them. Their freedom, authority, and status are all inferior to those of Abyss Knights.

However, Yun Che had learned much earlier from Hua Caili that a small group of extremely special Divine Guard also existed in the Pure Lands.

These were Divine Guard personally cultivated by the four Pure Lands Divine Officials.

Below the True Gods of the Abyss, there were eleven individuals at the peak of the Divine Master Realm, representing the pinnacle of human cultivation.

Six of them resided in the six Divine Kingdoms, while the Pure Lands alone had five.

Of these five peak Divine Masters in the Pure Lands, one was an Abyss Knight, and the other four were Pure Lands Divine Guard.

Under the Grand Divine Official: Dong Huang;Under the Myriad Dao Divine Official: Chang Ying;Under the Lingxian Divine Official: Su Shang;Under the Six-Laughter Divine Official: Yuan Ying.

Yun Che replied with a sigh, "In the Pure Lands, even the most insignificant person is someone no one dares to look down upon."

Even the most ordinary Pure Lands Divine Guard were still quasi-knights who hadn't passed the full trials... and a prerequisite for qualifying for the Pure Lands trials was reaching the Divine Extinction Realm in cultivation.

In other words, no Pure Lands Divine Guard possessed a cultivation lower than the Divine Extinction Realm, making them all qualified to establish a sect in any living land.

This concept alone was terrifying to consider.

Stepping into the World of Light, the world abruptly shifted.

At first glance, the Pure Lands evoked only two words in Yun Che: simple and unadorned.

It lacked the opulence and grandeur expected of an imperial domain, nor did it possess the naturally imposing and solemn aura of a supreme realm. At a glance, even the buildings were remarkably sparse; instead, verdant trees and blooming flowers were ubiquitous.

All the auras here flowed with exceptional gentleness; no unease or restlessness from living beings could be found. The light itself was so gentle it seemed to reflect into one's heart, easily soothing all negative emotions.

Yun Che looked around, clearly sensing that everyone's breathing unconsciously slowed. The young disciples, in addition to their wonder and awe, all wore expressions of enchantment.

For this was the Pure Lands, a world entirely free of Abyssal Dust, a fantastical realm endlessly revered and yearned for by the beings of the Abyss.

Meng Jinxie took a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly, then let out an irrepressible sigh. "Although it's not my first time here, it still feels like stepping into a fairyland... a world completely devoid of Abyssal Dust."

"I heard that in the 'Eternal Pure Lands,' there isn't a single trace of Abyssal Dust in the entire vast world. It's almost unimaginable how beautiful that world must be."

"Living in such a world, no being would ever need to fear the invasion of Abyssal Dust. All trees would grow naturally, all beasts would roam freely, countless races would proliferate, and even a newborn infant could cry without restraint... In such a world, beings would surely experience a peace beyond our imagination, devoid of fear, struggle, or lamentation. Even wicked thoughts would be soothed by the purity, making cruel conflicts and killings rare."

Yun Che remained silent.

Meng Jinxie continued, "During this Pure Lands audience, the Abyssal Emperor will likely speak of the Eternal Pure Lands. Do you have any expectations, Brother Yuan?"

Yun Che showed a look of longing. "Who wouldn't yearn for a world without Abyssal Dust?"

"Your wish will be granted."

Meng Kongchan, who was ahead, suddenly spoke faintly, "That land of fantasy, once merely a dream, is now within reach. Perhaps in just a few decades, you will be able to stand upon the Eternal Pure Lands yourselves and re-establish and continue our dream-weaving future world there. Hahahaha."

As Meng Kongchan laughed heartily, Yun Che and Meng Jinxie wore similar expressions, yet their inner thoughts were distinctly different.

At this moment, Yun Che's expression abruptly froze, and his feet were rooted to the spot.

"Brother Yuan, what's wrong?" Meng Jinxie stopped and asked.

"...Nothing," Yun Che shook his head, his demeanor composed. "I just felt a strange moment of daze."

Meng Jinxie understood. "That's perfectly normal. When one is accustomed to the existence of Abyssal Dust, suddenly entering a world entirely free of it can deeply unsettle one's perception. I also experienced several moments of daze when I first entered the Pure Lands back then."

For an Abyssal profound practitioner entering the Pure Lands, it was like a fish moving from a familiar murky swamp into a clear spring, truly causing a tremendous shock to their perception.

However, beyond the layer of ambient energy, the Pure Lands, which appeared as a fairyland or sacred land in the eyes of Abyssal profound practitioners, was merely an ordinary world in Yun Che's perception.

Just now, a divine sense enveloped him.

In that instant, his five senses seemed to sink into an endless ocean, with no knowledge of its origin, destination, or end.

That single divine sense alone seemed capable of overwhelming heaven and earth, devouring all worlds.

The divine sense lingered on him for only a moment, yet it felt to Yun Che as if he had experienced a prolonged era.

"Just now... what was that?" Lisha's voice was extremely soft, carrying the deepest and heaviest concern she had shown since her awakening.

Even as she asked, she already knew the answer.

"He found me." Yun Che was very calm, both in his tone and his mood.

"Have you... truly prepared yourself to face him?" Lisha asked, every word imbued with an unshakeable worry.

"Yes, don't worry."

Yun Che's voice was faint, his heart calm; he spoke to Lisha, but even more so to himself.

A sharp pain emanated from the depths of his soul sea, gradually intensifying.

It came from the last two memory fragments of the Heretic God, Ni Xuan.

They had been triggered and shattered by the presence of "him."

This piercing pain also informed Yun Che that the emotional fluctuations carried by these final memory fragments far surpassed any he had felt before.

The Pure Lands Divine Guard led them to a courtyard with extremely simple furnishings, devoid of any expected amenities for guests. There were only dozens of profound formations for meditation, and the most striking features remained the verdant trees and blooming flowers.

However, none of the noble individuals from the various Divine Kingdoms dared to reach out and touch the flowers and trees, as if fearing sacrilege.

The Pure Lands Divine Guard said gently, "It is still early. Divine Venerable Wumeng and all esteemed guests, please rest here for a while. When the time comes, the Abyssal Emperor will send for you. Additionally, the Pure Lands are strictly divided, with many forbidden areas, so please do not wander freely."

"Understood." Meng Kongchan nodded. "Have all the other Divine Kingdoms arrived yet?"

The Pure Lands Divine Guard replied, "Currently, only the Dream Weaving and Heaven Sundering Divine Kingdoms have arrived. The other four Divine Kingdoms and the guests from the Dragon Clan are still en route."

The Pure Lands Divine Guard departed, leaving no attendants behind.

However, absolutely no one would consider the Pure Lands impolite.

The sharp pain in Yun Che's soul sea grew increasingly intense. He allowed this feeling of unease to show on his face.

Meng Kongchan had noticed earlier and said with concern, "Upon first entering the Pure Lands, it's easy to feel restless, especially with your shallower cultivation; it's even more likely for you. If it becomes unbearable, concentrate and calm your mind for a while to adapt to the ambient energy here."

"Alright," Yun Che dutifully replied, then added quietly, "If Caili comes, please help me conceal this a bit, Divine Venerable."

"Oh?" Meng Kongchan looked surprised, then burst into hearty laughter. "He truly is a stubborn boy, unwilling to show any weakness to the one he admires. Don't worry, your father will personally stand guard for you."

Yun Che said no more and quickly went to sit in a profound formation. He then activated an isolating barrier, allowing his consciousness to sink into the recently shattered memory fragments.

In a vast world, a storm of calamity raged.

The sky was askew, the earth trembled, and countless cracks tore open in space every instant, as if innumerable bolts of lightning were violently streaking across heaven and earth.

Even across such a vast expanse of time, Yun Che still recognized the world as the God Realm of Absolute Beginning from the unique grayish-white color of its sky.

However, what unfolded in the God Realm of Absolute Beginning was an ancient catastrophe beyond ordinary human imagination.

Ni Xuan's long hair was disheveled. His once unparalleled handsome face was now only ashen, covered with numerous overlapping, horrifying wounds. His outer robe looked as if it had just been pulled from a pool of blood, drenched in crimson.

His upper body moved slowly, his attempt to rise as arduous as that of a withered old man. But immediately, he heavily collapsed to his knees again, the blood of a Creation God pouring wildly from his countless wounds, staining the primordial earth beneath him.

He was the Elemental Creation God, the supreme being of his era. No one could imagine... nor had he ever thought, that he would one day be so gravely wounded, so utterly defeated, so tormented.

Before him stood a tall man in golden robes.

His features gave an exceptionally distinct impression of being carved by a sword.

The moment one looked at his face, the words "unyielding integrity" would clearly manifest in one's heart.

It was as if before this face, no law could be violated, no rule trampled, no mistake easily forgiven, and no sin allowed to exist.

He was the head of the Four Creation Gods, the most supreme existence of his era:

The Heaven Punishing God Emperor – Mo E.

In his hand, he held a broad sword. It was bronze-colored, its blade ordinary, dull, and unsharp, without any imposing sword pressure. Even if it fell into the mortal realm, it would be nothing more than common iron that a profound practitioner of the mortal world wouldn't even glance at.

Yet, it possessed a name that shook the world.

The Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword.

Ranked first among the Seven Profound Heavenly Treasures, the first sword of the primordial chaos, the ancestor of all weapons in the myriad ages of chaos.

Holding the Ancestral Sword, he stood still between heaven and earth. Even as the sky collapsed, the earth crumbled, and storms filled the world, he remained as unmoving and majestic as a sky-supporting peak.

He looked indifferently at Ni Xuan, the Elemental Creation God, who was covered in blood. His expression remained unchanged from beginning to end, not even for a fleeting moment.

"To defeat me, you didn't hesitate to use the Ancestral Sword's power a second time."

Ni Xuan's voice was so dry it was hard to believe it belonged to a Creation God. "Is this also for the sake of your so-called 'righteous path'?"

The Ancestral Sword's power: if wielded by a mortal, instant death; if by a True God, a 90% reduction in lifespan.

Even a being as mighty as a Creation God would lose 30% of their lifespan when activating the Ancestral Sword's power.

This was his second time using the Ancestral Sword; his Creation God lifespan had already suffered a massive 60% depletion.

Yet, he showed no hesitation or regret.

He couldn't comprehend Mo E's obsession.

Just as he couldn't understand why he had to kill Mo Su.

That was clearly his most beloved son! His Heaven Punishing Crown Prince, his chosen inheritor of power and will.

Even if Mo Su had violated a taboo, his crime wasn't punishable by death... and certainly not by his own father's hand.

"You killed Mo Su, harmed Jie Yuan, kidnapped my daughter... Now, it must be my turn."

Ni Xuan gave a bitter laugh, his ashen face showing hopeless dejection. "Do it."

Mo E spoke, his voice as faint as smoke above clouds. "Though I resent you, I have no reason to kill you."

"Heh!" Ni Xuan let out a low laugh. "Those who defy your 'righteous path'—even your own son, whom you poured all your love and hope into, you can personally execute without hesitation. What about someone like me, who opposes you?"

A gust of wind stirred a few strands of Mo E's long hair, brushing against his face and revealing a hint of deep, hidden sorrow.

Mo E did not raise his sword, nor did any aura emanate from him.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke, but in a tone completely unfamiliar to Ni Xuan: "Ni Xuan, do you know how much I have always envied you?"

Ni Xuan: "...?"

"The divine name given to you by the Ancestral God carries the character 'Ni' (rebellion), and your character is so free-spirited, uninhibited, and unrestrained. You never wished to be bound by any existing rules, and you repeatedly defied and changed those rules and situations that you perceived as rigid, absurd, unjust, or wrong."

"The world needs a Creation God like you. For the evolution of the world and the succession of eras require constant change, the repeated breaking of old rules, and the elimination of the stagnation and shackles of each age."

"The world's transformation from barren emptiness to its current flourishing state of myriad spirits and realms has come through countless corrections and shifts."

Ni Xuan looked at Mo E, perhaps unable to believe that these words were actually coming from Mo E's mouth.

"The world needs someone to constantly change it," Mo E said, also looking at Ni Xuan. "But similarly, it needs someone to steadfastly uphold it."

"So," Ni Xuan said deeply, "the existence of gods and devils together is a rule you must uphold, one that allows no transgression? Even if it's Mo Su, even if it's a Creation God and a Devil Emperor, even if it costs you such a severe loss of lifespan, you must eliminate them!?"

Compared to Ni Xuan's grief, anger, soul-shattering pain, and incomprehension... Mo E's divine eyes remained utterly placid, like still water.

Or perhaps, it was sorrow so profound that it became emotionless.

He began, "Worlds are divided into creation and destruction, creation into yin and yang. When yin and yang are balanced, all worlds are peaceful."

"The Ancestral Gods created the world based on 'balance,' beginning with balance. Without balance, a person stumbles; without balance, a world is destined to collapse."

"Therefore, at the world's inception, there were four Creation Gods and four Devil Emperors, not eight Creation Gods or eight Devil Emperors."

The Heaven Punishing God Emperor, expressionless and almost numb, spoke words he had never uttered before.

"From ancient times to the present, both the God and Devil races have been the supreme existences of this world, capable of easily deciding the fate of myriad heavens and worlds. A slight misfortune for gods and devils, however, could be an apocalyptic catastrophe for all worlds."

"The God and Devil races each occupied a side, repelling and restraining each other, thus forming a long-standing balance. Everything in the world can change, but this balance... cannot... be... harmed."

The calamitous storm gradually subsided, and the spatial shrieks quieted. Between heaven and earth, only the souls of the two Creation Gods still resonated with the world's turbulent energy.

Ni Xuan's voice pushed the storm towards Mo E: "You only know of repulsion and restraint. But isn't integration another, better kind of balance?"

"You're right, integration might indeed be a better balance."

Mo E, whom Ni Xuan had always considered perpetually stubborn, actually gave him a resounding affirmation.

"However, any major change should begin with tentative probes at the most minor levels, let alone contact between two races that concerns the safety of the entire world."

"It could perhaps be mortals from a god-created world and a devil-created world, or gods and devils from the lowest realms... But it cannot be you, Ni Xuan; it cannot be the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor; and it most certainly cannot be... my son, Mo Su!"

Ni Xuan's gaze paused briefly.

He sensed that his soul was actually stirred by this.

"Even so..." These four brief words showed that he hadn't entirely dismissed Mo E's statement. "Why were you so ruthless towards Mo Su, and towards yourself!?"

Mo E finally moved. He bent his arm, and the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword, which had been resting on the ground, slowly leveled before him.

"The Four Creation Gods and Four Devil Emperors are beings of the highest plane in this world, but they do not inherently wield the power of the highest plane."

"The ultimate power of the world is carried by the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword and the Evil Infant's Wheel of Myriad Tribulations."

"Ni Xuan," he softly called the Elemental Creation God's name, devoid of sorrow, hatred, resentment, or injury, "do you know why they, possessing ultimate power, were given such ominous names as 'Heaven Punishing' and 'Myriad Tribulations'?"