Chapter 2121: Six Laughs

Above the Pure Land, the Star-Moon Divine Kingdom had also arrived.

Within the Star-Moon Divine Kingdom's entourage, Pan Buwang's presence seemed out of place.

His situation was undoubtedly very awkward, especially as the young Star-Moon disciples looked at him with great ill will.

As soon as they reached the Pure Land, Cha Xing appropriately pulled Pan Buwang aside.

"Brother Buwang, how do you feel returning to the Pure Land this time?"

Pan Buwang looked ahead and said, "Everything in the Pure Land seems eternally unchanging. Yet, as I look around now, I am startled to realize that the most unfamiliar thing in this world is myself."

"Oh?" Cha Xing was somewhat surprised by his remark.

Pan Buwang smiled. "Just baseless lamentation, no need for the Star God-Son to mind. For assisting me here today, the Star God-Son must have faced considerable resistance. For this kindness, I, Pan Buwang..."

"Stop right there!" Cha Xing interrupted his words. "I'm also repaying a favor, so there's no need for unnecessary talk. If you're truly grateful, why not reveal a little about... your relationship with 'him'?"

Pan Buwang replied without changing his expression, "Publicly, there's no relation. Privately, it's the same as with you: a benefactor and a recipient of kindness."

Cha Xing pursed his lips. "Never mind, pretend I didn't ask."

He glanced sideways, staring deeply at Pan Buwang. "Brother Buwang, you've changed a lot. So much so that I barely recognize you, which only makes me more curious about what you're truly here to do, going through all this trouble to come to the Pure Land."

He didn't press further, merely stating meaningfully, "I'll wait and see."

The air suddenly grew cold, and even the light subtly dimmed.

This was the approach of dark energy.

Cha Xing and Pan Buwang simultaneously halted.

Ahead, Revered Deity Qiheng, Pan Yusheng, led the way, with God-Son Xiaodie, Pan Buzhuo, by his side. The members of the Xiaodie Divine Kingdom, guided by three Pure Land divine guards, slowly walked towards them.

Revered Deity Qiheng possessed extraordinary spiritual perception and had detected Pan Buwang's presence long ago. Yet, he looked straight ahead, his gaze not lingering on Pan Buwang for even an instant, as if he hadn't seen him.

Cha Xing quickly saluted, "Cha Xing of the Star-Moon Divine Kingdom pays respects to Revered Deity Qiheng and all seniors."

Pan Buwang also bowed slightly, lowering his head and softly uttering, "Father God."

"Mmm." Pan Yusheng nodded slightly to Cha Xing but completely disregarded Pan Buwang. However, as Pan Buwang respectfully bowed to him, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, though it vanished instantly.

This was because in recent years, Pan Buwang had only shown him anger, disappointment, frantic screams, or even irrational mockery, utterly devoid of respect. Yet now, he was bowing so submissively, and the words "Father God" carried a reverence that had been absent for too long, almost alien.

However, this brief stir of emotion was only fleeting. He had long since given up on Pan Buwang out of despair, and had personally declared that he would abandon him, disregarding his fate, whether in life or death.

Just as they were about to pass by, Pan Buzhuo stopped and looked Pan Buwang up and down with interest.

"Well, well! Isn't this the stray dog that cried and scurried out of my Xiaodie Divine Kingdom? I heard you tried to enter Weaving Dream's Sunken Dream Valley back then but were kicked out. Heh! You were once a God-Son of Xiaodie, yet you willingly became a useless drunkard! It's one thing for you to make a fool of yourself, but if Weaving Dream hadn't thrown you out, you nearly dragged my Xiaodie Divine Kingdom into becoming a laughingstock too!"

Pan Buwang remained silent.

"Oh? Your cultivation has actually improved?" Pan Buzhuo seemed surprised, then scoffed. "Perhaps you've changed your ways after years in the Misty Sea? Did you scheme to come to the Pure Land to prove yourself before the Abyss Emperor, hoping Father God would re-accept you?"

Pan Buzhuo showed a rather malicious smile and lowered his voice. "You disgrace, stop dreaming. You're only fit to rot outside like a stray dog. I can already smell the pathetic stench of decay on you."

Pan Buwang still kept his head down, silent, making it impossible to discern any change in his expression.

"Brother Buzhuo," Cha Xing said coldly, "don't lose your dignity as a God-Son."

Pan Buzhuo wiped the sneer from his lips and said to Cha Xing, "Pan Buwang achieved nothing as a God-Son, and in recent years, he has repeatedly damaged Xiaodie's reputation. Seeing him unexpectedly today, I truly couldn't restrain my harsh words, making the Star God-Son laugh at me."

He smiled faintly, then turned and walked away, but his undisguised mockery continued: "The Star God-Son is of noble status; it's best to stay away from such filthy things, lest you invite ill fortune."

Pan Yusheng, walking at the very front, did not look back, nor did he stop or reprimand Pan Buzhuo's words.

Most of the Xiaodie Divine Kingdom's people looked at Pan Buwang with indifference or pity... yet the last time they came to the Pure Land, Pan Buwang was the moon around which all their stars revolved.

Only after they had walked far away did Cha Xing frown, stating resentfully, "This Pan Buzhuo is truly too much of a bully!"

Pan Buwang said expressionlessly, "After his mother ascended to power, she secretly harmed my birth mother... So, he and I are destined to be irreconcilable. In all the years he served as God-Son, his overt and covert suppression and humiliation of me... the cruelty of his methods, your nature wouldn't even be able to imagine."

"If it weren't for my agreement with Wuqing, I wouldn't have been able to endure those years."

These words reached Cha Xing's ears, yet he didn't perceive a clear enough hatred, which instead secretly unnerved him.

He patted Pan Buwang's shoulder and said seriously, "Just wait. Before the Abyss Emperor, I will certainly blunt his arrogance! Not just to vent your anger, but that Pan Buzhuo is simply an annoying sight."

"Good." Pan Buwang smiled faintly, an abyss of darkness in his eyes that Cha Xing couldn't fathom. "I look forward to witnessing the Star God-Son's Heavenly Wolf divine might once more."

A hum resonated from afar.

The Pure Land's light barrier reopened.

"It seems the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom has also arrived."

As he spoke, Cha Xing glanced sideways at Pan Buwang... The hatred and killing intent he had shown for a few moments just now were so intense that he couldn't ignore them.

He hadn't reacted to Pan Buzhuo's wanton mockery and provocation, yet now, merely hearing the words "Eternal Night," his killing intent instantly spiraled out of control.

Cha Xing looked into the distance and said with a hint of anticipation, "The new Goddess Wu Yi of the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom — this time, I can finally glimpse her true appearance. The Eternal Night Divine Kingdom has kept her so well hidden; I hope she doesn't disappoint too much."

*Puff-boom!*

Just as Yun Che and Hua Caili approached, they heard a roar erupt from a stone house ahead, followed by plumes of black smoke billowing from its doors and windows, standing out sharply against the Pure Land's pristine white backdrop.

"No! The heat's wrong! Useless things, out, out, out!"

A young man emerged from the stone house amidst the black smoke. Upon seeing Hua Caili, he smiled. "Little Caili is here."

As he spoke, he elegantly brushed off the soot from his sleeves.

"Uncle Yuanying," Hua Caili greeted politely, then quickly introduced, "This is Brother Yun, the former God-Son of Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. His previous name was..."

"Oh! Meng Jianyuan, I've heard of him." Divine Attendant Yuanying was all smiles, looking like a harmless, benevolent soul. "A perfect divine core, just like Little Caili. And in terms of talent... oh, even in appearance, you two are quite a match. What a pity that boy Jiuzhi got there first."

Yun Che thought: *(He judges people accurately... and speaks so mischievously.)*

"Yun Che pays respects to Senior Yuanying. Although this junior has just arrived in the Pure Land, Senior Yuanying's name is already renowned, and I have long admired you."

"No need for formalities," Yuanying waved his hand, only then noticing that his fair palms were stained as black as the bottom of a pot. He then slowly placed them behind his back. "The master, that old man, is currently in high spirits. It's best not to disturb him, otherwise..."

*Boom...*

Another muffled explosion resounded, accompanied by even denser black smoke.

Immediately, an excited shout echoed from inside the stone house: "Oho! It's done, it's done! Little Caili, come in quickly, I have something good!"

Yuanying let out a long sigh, a helpless expression on his face.

"Brother Yun, Uncle Liuxiao is calling us. Let's go in quickly."

Hua Caili tapped her foot and flew into the stone house. Yun Che politely nodded to Divine Attendant Yuanying and followed her.

Divine Attendant Yuanying didn't stop them; instead, he sighed faintly, "Another young junior's understanding is about to be shattered."

The stone house wasn't large, but it was filled with a dazzling array of items.

Amidst the swirling black smoke, a withered, scrawny old man in rough gray cloth was hunched over, his rear end sticking out. His two bony hands were rubbing together over a mass of strangely imbued crimson flame, his eyes glowing intensely as he muttered something under his breath.

From Yun Che's perspective, he looked exactly like a toad scratching with its front paws.

"Uncle Liuxiao," Hua Caili called out affectionately.

The toad—oh, no, the gray-clothed old man—suddenly sprang up with a "whoosh" and scurried with quick, small steps straight to Hua Caili. "Little Caili, you've come at just the right time! Quick, have a taste! This is a recipe I just finished improving. For this, I had to shamelessly borrow fire from that old woman Lingxian every now and then, and now it's finally done!"

"This is absolutely my greatest masterpiece in a thousand years! One bite is guaranteed to make you ascend to immortality!"

His face was withered and old, with sunken eyes, yet at this moment, they shone with a fervent light. Even his sparse, messy hair stood on end with excitement.

In his pair of grubby old hands, he held a similarly grubby-looking bun, which, however, emitted a soul-invigorating subtle fragrance.

Yun Che stood silently, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

He had personally heard Hua Caili call him "Uncle Liuxiao."

This old man, whose clothes could only be described as ragged and whose state was utterly deranged...

Was actually a... Divine Official!?

And, Divine Official Lingxian was "Grandma," so why was this wizened old man "Uncle"?

"Wow, really?!"

Hua Caili's eyes curved with delight. She reached out, took the bun from the old man's hand, and without a trace of distaste, put it directly into her mouth.

With a bite, Hua Caili's eyes sparkled with an unusual gleam. "Mmm! So delicious! It's still 'Liuxiao Ascending Immortality Crisp,' but it's much tastier than before... And the changes in flavor are more varied now."

"Right?! Right?! Hahaha ha ha ha ha!"

Hua Caili's affirmation and praise made every hair on the old man's body stand on end. His wild laughter was so ecstatic it seemed his soul might leave his body. "As expected of me! As expected of this Pure Land's... oh no no no, the Abyss's number one Culinary God!"

"Oh, and by the way! From now on, it'll be renamed 'Liuxiao Flying Immortality Crisp'! No matter if they're true immortals or false ones, whoever eats it will have to fly! Hahaha ha ha ha!"

Hua Caili continued to chew slowly, savoring the taste, then calmly spoke amidst the old man's unrestrained laughter: "Although it's tastier than before, compared to the pastries Brother Yun makes, it's still just a tiny bit less delicious."

The old man's wild laughter abruptly cut off as if severed by a knife.

His naturally small eyes widened to the size of brass bells in an instant.

"You, you, you, you, you... What did you say? Me? My Liuxiao Flying Immortality Crisp? A tiny bit less delicious?"

He stared wide-eyed, confirming each phrase, as if her words had touched upon an absolute, sacred taboo.

"Yes," Hua Caili nodded without the slightest hesitation. Her beautiful eyes were as clear as a mirror lake, with a touch of innocence in their purity. Both her words and expression were utterly natural and... matter-of-fact.

In that instant, Yun Che felt as if he heard something shatter within the old man's chest.

Then, he jumped to his feet, yelling, "Impossible! This Liuxiao Flying Immortality Crisp embodies a thousand years of my painstaking effort, tens of thousands of adjustments, just to create this peerless immortal delicacy! Even I, after eating it, wish I could kiss myself!"

"What kind of thing is that 'Yun Gege'? Does that unlucky name deserve to produce a delicacy like mine?"

"It's not 'like you'," Hua Caili quickly corrected. "It really is tastier than what Uncle Liuxiao makes. And it's not just the pastries; many things Brother Yun makes are much tastier than what Uncle Liuxiao makes."

Yun Che once again heard a sound of something shattering... fragmenting into countless pieces.