Chapter 664: One-Year Agreement

The elder with gray hair didn't tell me where Yun Wangji ultimately went all those years ago; I only know that he disappeared at the entrance of Wuyue Heaven.

Upon hearing Xu Yang's words, Isis's eyes once again shone with excitement. "If that's the case," she declared, "then our next step is to break through all obstacles and enter Wuyue Heaven!"

Long Kun, standing nearby, furrowed his brow anxiously. "If that's the case," he asked, "what if Chenxi Sunset makes a comeback? How should we deal with him then?"

Isis affirmed, "Wuyue Heaven is not a place someone of his status can enter. Only if the current Divine King personally descends would that be possible. As that fellow just said, although Mount Yehan is considered the territory of the Divine Race, ultimately, it is still my father's Divine Conquering Edict that controls everything here. Therefore, ordinary members of the Divine Race do not dare to easily set foot here.

Chenxi Sunset suffered a defeat at our hands this time; when he returns, the Divine King will surely punish him. I believe he won't easily set foot here again within a short period. What we need to do is use this time to recuperate and enter Wuyue Heaven as soon as possible. It's not just for my personal reasons. Only by meeting Yun Wangji and learning the full details of that world-ending battle from years ago will we have a chance to suppress the Divine Conquering Edict. Because throughout all of Mount Yehan, Yun Wangji is the only remaining hope who can provide us with the most accurate guidance!"

***

The Divine Realm.

It was still that majestic and resplendent grand hall, but this time, the atmosphere within it seemed exceptionally strange and solemn.

Undoubtedly, when the Divine King summoned Chenxi Sunset this time, his expression was more grim than ever before.

"Do you have nothing to say to me?"

Looking at Chenxi Sunset, who was kneeling on the ground before him with an expression of utter despair, the Divine King truly felt a sense of helplessness.

All along, the Divine King had regarded Chenxi Sunset as his most loyal subordinate and guardian. That was why he had entrusted this mission to him. The Divine King's original intention was for this trusted and capable subordinate to make contact with Xu Yang as early as possible, preventing any unpredictable changes involving Xu Yang in the future. This would allow his most favored disciple to intervene forcefully, turn the tide, and lay a solid foundation for his future advancement in the Divine Realm.

One must understand that while the Divine King possesses supreme power and status in the Divine Realm, many matters are not decided by him alone, especially given the Divine Realm's unique and intricate network of forces. Currently, no more than thirty percent of the entire Divine Domain's forces are under the Divine King's direct control; the majority of the rest are held by the various elders of the Divine Realm's Elder Council. Among the Divine Realm's Four Divine Generals, Chenxi Sunset was the most talented, the youngest, and the only one the Divine King could directly command – his trusted right-hand man.

However, this time, the Divine King never imagined that merely asking him to eliminate others around Xu Yang and give the opponent a warning, this fellow couldn't even successfully complete the mission.

"There's nothing to explain. The mission Your Majesty entrusted to me was not successfully completed. I ask Your Majesty to bestow punishment."

"Absurd!"

The Divine King suddenly erupted in rage, an incredibly powerful aura instantly bursting forth, sending Chenxi Sunset, who was below the platform, flying backward dozens of meters. Of course, the Divine King would never truly harm his most loyal follower; he was merely using this method to warn him.

"Punishment? Do you really think I sent you on this mission just to find an excuse to deal with you? Chenxi, for years, you've followed me, campaigning far and wide and establishing unparalleled merits. I have always regarded you as my most trusted general, single-mindedly striving to create more opportunities for you to achieve great deeds so that your status and power in the Divine Realm could be further solidified. But what about you?"

Chenxi Sunset's expression was grim to the extreme. He was truly saddened by his failure this time, but who could have predicted such an outcome? Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, Chenxi Sunset would never have believed that mere nobodies around Xu Yang could unleash such incredible combat potential.

"Your Majesty, my point is, we must spare no effort to eliminate that fellow named Xu Yang as soon to as possible."

The Divine King finally showed a faint smile. This was what he most wanted to hear.

"Oh? Then tell me, what kind of experience did this battle bring you?"

Chenxi Sunset instinctively recalled every detail of his previous confrontation with Xu Yang; the more he thought about it, the more startled he became.

"I truly cannot comprehend how a mere mortal, without even a divine core, could unleash such astonishing energy. The sword strike he delivered could shatter any defense in this world. Even Yun Wangji from back then was probably no more impressive."

"So, you fear his prowess?"

Chenxi Sunset shook his head. "If he and I were at the same cultivation level, there's no doubt that his talent would utterly crush me. The only reason I still have the qualification to control their fate is entirely because I possess a divine core. In other words, if everything I possess in the Divine Realm were to be stripped away from me, I would be no match for that person at all."

Finally, here in the Divine Realm, Chenxi Sunset spoke the truth from the depths of his heart. He could never have said these words to Xu Yang, his opponent, face to face. Only before the Divine King could he completely abandon all pretense and apprehension and reveal his true feelings.

"Enough, I'm tired. You may go now. I will handle this matter as I see fit. Starting today, I grant you one year to undergo secluded cultivation. When I see you again, no matter what method you use, you must possess the power to crush Xu Yang. Otherwise, I will strip away everything I have bestowed upon you. I will keep this opponent for you until you are confident enough to defeat him. I intend to use Xu Yang as the most crucial touchstone to help you reach the pinnacle of the Divine Realm!"

The two exchanged a deep look. Chenxi Sunset, of course, understood that the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, as referred to by the Divine King, naturally meant the position of the foremost among the Four Divine Generals — a supreme status that qualified one to command twenty percent of the entire Divine Realm's forces!

Unbeknownst to him, this had been a significant goal the Divine King himself had been planning for nearly ten thousand years.

As Chenxi Sunset slowly turned and departed, the Divine King watched him go, a meaningful glint appearing in his eyes.

"Xu Yang, you are truly something. I shall see what other miracles you can create. Life or death, let Wuyue Heaven reveal the answer!"