"The Four Divine Priests have arrived!"
With the Pureland guard's voice echoing out, the Four Divine Priests strode forward from a distance.
Divine Priest Da Huang and Divine Priest Wan Dao had stern faces and formidable presences. Divine Priest Xian Ling, the only female among them, wore a gentle smile and even nodded slightly toward the Zhi Meng Divine Kingdom in polite acknowledgment. Divine Priest Liu Xiao, meanwhile, looked wildly uninhibited, showing none of the dignity expected of a divine official.
As Divine Priest Liu Xiao passed by Yun Che, he bent down slightly, totally disregarding the decorum of his station.
"Meng Kongchan, you've raised quite the son. He even dares to ignore me!"
Divine Sovereign Wu Meng looked as if he'd just heard the worst kind of news, a rare expression of shock on his face. He shot Yun Che a glance, thoughts spinning: What did this kid do while following Caili to offend a Divine Priest?
He clasped his hands respectfully.
"Kongchan dares not presume. If my son has offended you, Divine Priest Liu Xiao, please forgive him."
"Hmph! That brat dared refuse to take me as his master. I'm rather annoyed."
Though Liu Xiao's voice wasn't loud, every word rang crystal-clear throughout the hall.
A Divine Priest asking someone to be their teacher? How absurd! Even the Abyssal Emperor wouldn't dare claim he could teach Divine Priest Liu Xiao.
Yet these words had come directly from Liu Xiao himself, making everyone present gasp involuntarily.
No one was more stunned than Meng Kongchan. He never imagined his son had such ability — to the point that a Divine Priest would willingly ask to become his disciple?
"Yuan'er, what's going on?" Meng Kongchan sent a sound transmission to Yun Che.
Yun Che didn't respond. Instead, he stood up and offered a respectful bow to Liu Xiao.
"Uncle Liu Xiao, please don't tease me. In the culinary arts, I still have much to learn from you. That dish I made the other day was just one of the two I know. How could someone like me possibly be your teacher?"
"So that's how it is. At least you're being honest. Fine, I won't hold it against you. But remember to teach me how to make that Four-Color Cloud Soup when you're free. Something that delicious deserves to exist here in the Pureland."
Liu Xiao smiled brilliantly, clearly pleased with the answer.
"Of course, Uncle Liu Xiao. Once the Gathering ends, I'll visit you and share the full recipe."
Yun Che returned the smile.
Hua Fuchen cast a glance at Hua Caili, lightly tapping her head. If he hadn't stopped her just now, the girl definitely would've spoken up to help Yun Che out of the situation.
Hua Caili playfully stuck out her tongue, her expression clearly saying: Hehe, I'm the one who brought Brother Yun to see Uncle Liu Xiao!
"Did... did that Meng Jianyuan just call Divine Priest Liu Xiao Uncle?" murmured Dian Sinsi, seated beside Dian Jiuzhi. "The first time I thought I misheard, but he just said it again... and clearly, too. But I thought he had no connection at all to the Divine Priests..."
"Stop guessing. Just focus on yourself," Dian Jiuzhi replied coldly. Though the wound in his heart was deepening, his expression remained unnervingly calm.
"Uncle Liu Xiao" — only Hua Caili ever used that title. For Yun Che to say it so openly, it clearly confirmed the closeness between him and Caili — a public slap to Dian Jiuzhi's face.
His heart bled. His fingers clenched tightly inside his sleeves.
Caili... you and I were betrothed. How could you become so close to Meng Jianyuan...?
It must be him. That Meng Jianyuan must have bewitched you. I still believe in what we had.
The first time I met him, I thought he was all smooth talk. Now I see he's more cunning than I imagined. I'll make sure you see him for who he truly is — and return to me! You must!
Yun Che met Dian Jiuzhi's gaze without flinching, a faint smile playing at his lips — a direct challenge.
Dian Jiuzhi didn't back down either. His eyes never wavered. To him, Hua Caili was his other half, and he would never hand her over to anyone.
As the brief exchange ended, Divine Priest Liu Xiao took his seat, and the inner hall returned to silence, everyone now waiting for the Abyssal Emperor to appear.
Just then, a surprising figure entered the hall: Pan Buwang, alone.
He looked toward the section where the Xiao Die Divine Kingdom sat and respectfully walked over.
Divine Sovereign Qi Heng's face instantly darkened. He looked like he wanted to speak, but forcibly swallowed the urge. This was not the moment to disrupt the Pureland Gathering.
Though Pan Yusheng held back his reaction, Pan Buzhuo did not. He immediately transmitted a message:
"You, a cast-off from the Xiao Die Divine Kingdom, have no right to be here. Do you even realize what you are? Appearing at a time like this — are you trying to disgrace us?"
Pan Buwang turned toward Pan Yusheng and bowed.
"Father, I was once the Divine Son of Xiao Die. I don't believe my presence here is inappropriate."
Pan Yusheng furrowed his brows. Though he didn't want Pan Buwang here, he couldn't risk their divine kingdom's reputation.
"Since you're here, stay. Await the Abyssal Emperor's arrival."
Pan Buwang turned back to Pan Buzhuo and gave a knowing smile. Their eyes locked, sparks flying invisibly between them.
"Hmph. If I were you, I'd crawl away and avoid further humiliation. A pile of rotten mud, dreaming of daylight again? Laughable."
Pan Buwang's voice remained calm:
"Pan Buzhuo, do you remember the days when you groveled at my feet? Never assume your position is secure. Until you ascend to Divine Sovereign, everything is uncertain."
His words left Pan Yusheng momentarily dazed — as if he were seeing the former Pan Buwang again: proud, imperious, peerless.
"Heh... That's all in the past. Only the weak cling to former glory. Since you dare appear now, I assume you're ready to face the consequences. I'll make sure you understand — the gap between divine ranks can't be bridged by words alone."
Pan Buzhuo sneered coldly. He was determined to trample Pan Buwang beneath his feet once more — and keep him there forever.
"The Abyssal Emperor has arrived!"
The Pureland guard's voice rang out again. Instantly, everyone stood with solemn reverence, awaiting the emperor's presence.
Of all those present, Yun Che was likely the most nervous. His greatest enemy in the Abyssal Realm... was about to appear.
"You may all sit. No need for formalities."
The Abyssal Emperor waved a hand gently — not a trace of overbearing presence in his tone.
Yun Che lifted his gaze toward the voice — and was momentarily stunned.
The man before him looked remarkably young. His features were clean and elegant, exuding the natural grace of a scholar. There was no imperial majesty, no oppressive might. Just an otherworldly calm.
Despite being the emperor of the Abyss, his face was utterly neutral — neither joy nor sorrow. And just as Meng Jianxi had once said, his aura was completely indiscernible. No sense of overwhelming might, no sense of superiority.
He was like a machine, devoid of emotion, veiled in mist as vast as the sea.
Yun Che couldn't shake the feeling — that no secret he held could escape those deep, unreadable eyes.
So this is the son of a Creation God, who has lived since the ancient era...
…
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(End of Chapter)