"The Heretic God's successor!?"
"The Heretic God's successor!?"
Both High Priest Six Laughs and Hua Caili were stunned, their eyes snapping toward Yun Che at the exact same moment.
Hua Caili covered her lips with her delicate hand, eyes wide. "Brother Yun's teacher is... the Elemental Creation God!"
The Heretic God—
According to what the Spirit of the Abyss had revealed, the Heretic God was the name the Elemental Creation God adopted after relinquishing his title as a Creation God.
It was a true legacy of a Creation God!
An inheritance never before seen—and perhaps never to appear again...
That Yun Che had received such a legacy—how could anyone not be astonished?
Hua Caili's eyes sparkled with brilliance as she gazed at Yun Che in a daze.
Although Yun Che had long refused to reveal his master's name or identity, and she had never pressed him, she had always suspected that his master was anything but ordinary. His ability to command all elemental forces—even the sacred Light Profound Energy—made her suspect that his teacher had to be one of the Four Great Creation Gods of the Primordial Era.
Still, hearing it confirmed from Grandpa Wan Dao's own mouth made it all the more breathtaking.
The old man leapt up and circled around Yun Che, clicking his tongue as he looked him over, nodding repeatedly. "Tsk tsk tsk… No wonder he commands elemental powers with such ease. No wonder his culinary path is so refined... I lost fair and square. Fair and square!"
That legacy power... could he steal it?
Even if it didn't increase his divine power, if it helped elevate his control over flame, his culinary arts would reach new heights...
This wicked thought popped into the old man's head.
But he quickly dismissed it—someone like the Elemental Creation God would never leave such a dangerous inheritance unguarded. He would have foreseen the greed of mortals. To leave behind a legacy that anyone could seize would be planting a disaster. It would lead to senseless slaughter, with the Heretic God's power passing from one wielder to the next—only for each to be hunted down by stronger foes, until one supreme tyrant claimed it all and became an emperor of unmatched might.
And if that person turned evil… it would be a catastrophe for countless lives.
Given what the world knew of the Elemental Creation God, he would never leave behind such a curse.
Yun Che's expression remained unchanged, completely unshaken by Wan Dao's revelation of his so-called "master's" true identity.
According to the memory fragments left by the Heretic God, the two Archaic Gods under Mo Su—Great Wilderness and Little Wilderness—had frequent contact with Ni Xuan, the Heretic God.
Wan Dao… was likely that very Little Wilderness.
That he could recognize the essence of Yun Che's power did not surprise him in the least. Yun Che had never intended to hide it at the Pure Land Assembly.
"Greetings, Senior Wan Dao," Yun Che said, bowing slightly.
But before he could fully lower himself, Wan Dao stepped forward and stopped him with a hand.
"In truth, I'm only a few hundred Yuanhui older than you. We are of the same generation—no need for formalities."
Yun Che: O\_o A few hundred Yuanhui… so you're several million years older than me, yet because I inherited the Heretic God's legacy, you want to treat me as your equal?
"As you wish, then. I'll follow your words, Senior."
"So, what is your reason for seeking me out?"
Wan Dao appeared satisfied by Yun Che's directness. He flicked his long scholar's robe and, with a reminiscent look, said, "Just reminiscing about the Era of the Gods."
Yun Che: Yeah right… like I'm buying that.
"Back in the day, I and Great Wilderness were born of heaven and earth, formed from Lord Mo E's Heaven-Crushing Creation Divine Power and nurtured for ten thousand years by a wisp of primal chaos aura. Only then did we awaken as Archaic Gods, our souls fully formed.
"After awakening, Lord Mo E gave us a single mission—serve the Abyss Emperor."
"From then on, I remained by His Highness' side. Later, when he followed Lord Ni Xuan into the mortal realm for training, we too were fortunate enough to witness the brilliance of the Elemental Creation God. It was then that we became familiar with his divine power."
As he spoke, Wan Dao's eyes gleamed with unabashed admiration.
Yun Che silently nodded. What this senior described aligned well with the memory fragments Ni Xuan had left behind.
"So when I sensed the Heretic God's aura in you, I came to find you." Wan Dao explained. Then, narrowing his eyes meaningfully, he lowered his voice:
"But the Heretic God's aura isn't the only thing I sense in you… there's more."
"One of which… is ours."
His eyes flashed with light as he spoke, word by word:
"Great Way of the Buddha."
The air fell silent for a few moments.
After a brief pause, Yun Che spoke, sounding a little embarrassed. "Senior's insight is indeed sharp. Great Way of the Buddha… was passed to me by my master. Unfortunately, my talent is lacking. Even by the time he passed away, I had only reached the seventh stage. He didn't leave behind the full divine formula, so I fear this will be my limit."
"Heh… You little rascal." Wan Dao chuckled, rubbing his forehead and clapping Yun Che on the shoulder. "Not of Archaic God blood, no Archaic God inheritance, and yet you've cultivated the Great Way of the Buddha to the seventh stage before your 130th birthday… and you call that 'lacking talent'? If my old brothers heard that, they'd beat you half to death."
Before Yun Che could respond, Wan Dao's eyes shifted thoughtfully.
"I heard you suffered misfortune in your youth, drifting into the Abyssal Dust Mist Sea, losing all memories before age ten. As it happens, I have some talent in soul and memory arts. Shall I take a look for you?"
Yun Che replied calmly: "Your kindness is appreciated, Senior. But my master already tried several times, to no avail. He also taught me to live in the present. If the past is too bitter, there's no need to hold onto it. I've taken his words to heart. So I'll have to decline."
(Inner thought: Are you kidding me? If I let you probe my soul, and by some miracle you realize I haven't lost any memories at all, this whole act is over.)
Wan Dao nodded lightly. "Since even that great one couldn't help, and your state of mind is whole and clear, I have no reason to interfere."
Yun Che quietly let out a breath.
"But to be taken in by that man and receive his inheritance… your childhood misfortune might have been bitter beyond measure, but you've reaped a fortune everyone else can only envy. Such is fate. No one else could claim it."
As he finished, Wan Dao raised his right hand. A gentle light gathered in his palm and scattered to reveal a small floating pagoda.
It stood about three inches tall, two inches wide, radiating ancient aura. Though small, it was intricately crafted. Its base suppressed ten thousand demons, and ghostly cries echoed faintly. From top to bottom, it had twelve levels, as if it was a towering divine relic shrunk down from the flow of time.
"The Buddha Pagoda!?" Six Laughs shouted. "Why are you bringing that out?"
Hua Caili's eyes lit up as she stared at the tiny tower. She reached out and tapped it with her fingertip. "Wow\~ It's so cute! Grandpa Wan Dao, can I play with it?"
Wan Dao chuckled, then flicked her forehead gently. "You want everything, you little brat. Half of the treasures I've forged—pills, artifacts, and more—you've snatched them all."
"Ugh…" She rubbed her forehead with a pout, sticking her tongue out at him.
This girl…
Wan Dao shook his head, helpless, then casually tossed the pagoda toward Yun Che.
Yun Che caught it, feigning surprise. "Senior Wan Dao, what is this…?"
"This pagoda is a divine artifact. You can study it at your leisure. Inside is the full divine scripture of the Great Way of the Buddha. Back in the Primordial Era, His Highness and Lord Ni Xuan were like brothers. I was His Highness' sworn brother. You are Ni Xuan's final disciple. In a way, we're all family.
"Since you already practice the art, consider this my gift to you. If you don't like it, feel free to return it."
Without hesitation, Yun Che flipped his hand and stored it in his spatial ring. "When a senior offers a gift, it must not be declined. I thank you, Senior, for your kindness."
Wan Dao (internally): Just now, when I offered to help with your memories, you weren't so quick to accept…
"All right then. The Pure Land Assembly is about to begin. You two should head back. Hua Fuchen and Meng Kongchan are probably waiting for you. Six Laughs and I will head to the Divine Soul Hall shortly."
"Then… farewell, Senior Six Laughs, Senior Wan Dao." Yun Che bowed and gestured for Hua Caili to follow.
"Goodbye, Uncle Six Laughs\~ Goodbye, Grandpa Wan Dao\~" Hua Caili waved her hand and disappeared with Yun Che into the light.
...