The Eternal Night God Kingdom¹. Ink-colored mist locked the vault of heaven, and bone-chilling winds swept the earth, staining even the wind and dew with a soul-corroding gloom. Ever since Shenwu Yanye returned in shame from the Pure Land, the entire Eternal Night God Kingdom had been shrouded in an incredibly terrifying atmosphere. This was especially true for the capital city, already a place of shadows and depression, which seemed to have suddenly sunk into an even more sinister and ghastly haze. Every inch of space and every wisp of moving air made one tremble with suffocation.

With Shenwu Yanye’s volatile temperament, she could explode into a rage without provocation and slaughter without cause. It was easy to imagine how the humiliating disgrace she suffered at the Pure Land would churn the venomous frenzy within her twisted sea of soul into a terrifying state. Nearly two months had passed since her return, yet the haze over the Eternal Night God Kingdom showed no sign of thinning. From the murky sky, the horrific shrieks of the God of Blind Darkness²—devoid of any divine dignity and sounding more terrifying than the cries of a hundred million despairing ghosts—still rang out from time to time, causing the creatures bound to the darkness to shudder and shrink in fear.

In front of the Eternal Night Divine Hall, the Daughters of Eternal Night forced to serve in close proximity stood with their bodies taut and faces deathly pale. Their auras were as still as death; they did not even dare to let a single strand of hair move.

Today, however, an aura finally approached the area of its own accord, moving in a great hurry. Shenwu Mingque passed through layers of terrifying, thick baleful qi and knelt respectfully at the foot of the hall’s steps. Her voice was kept very low, yet it could not hide her urgency. "Mingque begs an audience with the Venerable One. There is a matter of great importance..."

"GET OUT!!"

The response was a shrill roar powerful enough to pierce the heart. The Daughters of Eternal Night standing before the hall all swayed, their already pale faces turning even whiter. One girl’s lips slowly leaked a trace of blood, yet her body remained rigid; she did not dare to make any movement to disperse the pressure.

"Get out of here!" A second roar exploded from the depths of the divine hall like a thunderclap splitting the sky, carrying a world-destroying malice that slammed hard into Shenwu Mingque.

Following the roar was a toxic command of wanton brutality: "Go and pass the order: break the limbs of every male slave! They are not permitted to heal for a hundred days! Anyone who dares to disobey shall be ground into fertilizer; not a single scrap of their corpse shall remain!!"

Shenwu Mingque’s throat moved. She did not dare to offer counsel, nor did she leave. Instead, she spoke rapidly, "Mingque obeys. However, I have come to report a major event. The Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal³ has appeared in the world."

She spoke with extreme speed, going straight to the core of the matter. Otherwise, she feared she would never have another chance to speak, and if Shenwu Yanye learned of this too late, the blame would only fall on her.

The sinister, raging haze churning within the divine hall suddenly froze. Then, Shenwu Yanye’s raspy voice drifted out: "What... did you say?"

Her voice carried an obvious excitement, even a hint of uncontrollable trembling... it completely suppressed her previous anger and madness.

Shenwu Mingque quickly assumed a serious expression. "This concerns the Venerable One's... great ambition. How would I dare to utter a single false word?"

"To ensure there were no mistakes, I personally traveled a great distance to observe it in secret. This recently surfaced exotic Abyss Crystal is two feet long and its color is like condensed ink. Its shape resembles a coiling, angry dragon, and its body is set with seven distinct apertures. The aura it releases is unmistakably dragon breath. Furthermore, this dragon breath is not only dense but extremely peculiar—something I have never seen before in my life."

"All of this perfectly matches the description in the 'Secret Manual': 'Several feet in length, shaped like a coiled dragon, its color like ink, its body set with seven apertures.' Most importantly, its unique dragon breath does not belong to any dragon currently existing in this world. Even if one wished to forge a fake, it would be impossible."

"The one who obtained this crystal also does not know what it is, let alone its name. They are currently searching for its secrets in secret, which is how the various kingdoms came to know of it."

As she spoke, even the Daughters of Eternal Night on the side could clearly sense that Shenwu Yanye’s breathing had become several times heavier and more chaotic. As the person closest to Shenwu Yanye, Shenwu Mingque understood deeply what the appearance of the "Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal" meant to her.

"Where... is... it... now..." Shenwu Yanye’s tone had changed completely, becoming so hoarse and jarring it was almost unintelligible.

Shenwu Mingque took a soft breath. "The place where it appeared is somewhat unfavorable. It is in... the Dreaming Moon God Kingdom⁴."

Bang!

An uncontrolled explosion of air suddenly erupted from within the hall. Though it didn't strike her, it still caused Shenwu Mingque’s body to jolt. As the God of Blind Darkness, the humiliation Yanye suffered recently all came from Meng Kongchan. Her hatred for Meng Kongchan and the Dreaming Moon God Kingdom was like a bottomless abyss; simply hearing the name was enough to fill her world with a sea of resentment.

But unfortunately... Shenwu Mingque lowered her head deeply and continued, "This Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal is currently in the hands of the Dreaming Moon Divine Son, Meng Jianxi. He does not know its name or its use; he currently calls it the Dragon-shaped Profound Crystal and has been sending people everywhere to search for possible records or its utility. If there are no results for a long time, he might eventually approach the Pure Land... at that time, uncontrollable variables may arise."

"Then what are you waiting for!"

Shenwu Yanye’s voice turned abruptly irritable. "Why haven't you gone to seize it! Must I go personally!?"

"I wouldn't dare, it's just..."

Shenwu Mingque weighed her words carefully, proceeding with extreme caution. "It's just that our Eternal Night and Dreaming Moon have just had a falling out. Right now is the most unsuitable time for us to approach them. If Eternal Night steps forward, I fear it will be difficult to get what we want. Even if we succeed, the price will likely be astronomical."

"Therefore, I suggest we temporarily borrow the strength of an old friend from another kingdom..."

"Bastard!!"

Before Shenwu Mingque could finish, she was cut off by Shenwu Yanye’s terrifying roar. "Since you know of the Secret Manual, you should know how important the Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal is to me! How could it possibly pass through the hands of another!"

"An old friend from another kingdom?"

Shenwu Yanye’s every word was as cold as a soul-piercing blade. "Mingque, it seems that even within Eternal Night, you still harbor divided loyalties!?"

"No, no! I wouldn't dare!"

Shenwu Mingque’s face instantly lost all color. She bowed deeply, her head touching the ground. "My life and my heart belong to Eternal Night and the Venerable One. I harbor no divided loyalties whatsoever. I was merely too eager to obtain the crystal and spoke foolishly. I beg the Venerable One’s forgiveness."

"I will personally head to Dreaming Moon immediately to retrieve the Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal for the Venerable One."

"Humph!"

The soul-shaking voice of the God of Blind Darkness descended upon the top of Shenwu Mingque’s head. "Listen well. I give you only ten days! Regardless of the method or the price, you must bring the Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal back unharmed!! Remember, regardless of the method!"

"Even if you have to kneel and peel every inch of flesh from your own face!!"

No matter how much resentment and madness Shenwu Yanye harbored, she wasn't so far gone as to not realize that since the crystal was in the hands of a Divine Son, obtaining it meant facing the entire Dreaming Moon God Kingdom... it could not be taken by force. Eternal Night had nearly driven Meng Jianyuan to his death, and Dreaming Moon had in turn given Eternal Night a humiliating defeat. Under such resentment, the price Eternal Night would have to pay to get the crystal from Dreaming Moon’s hands was easy to imagine.

Yet, no matter how great the price, it could never outweigh the endless, crazed, and twisted desire within Shenwu Yanye.

"Yes. I shall not fail my mission."

Shenwu Mingque dared not say more. She rose and backed away, but just as she was about to leave, she gritted her teeth slightly and bowed again. "Venerable One, I have one more thing to say."

"Speak!" Shenwu Yanye did not stop her.

Shenwu Mingque’s chest heaved as she spoke each word respectfully and clearly. "I have served Eternal Night all my life, weathering many storms and strictly adhering to the rules and discipline. I have never believed in things like destiny or divine blessings. The legends say those with a Glazed Heart⁵ possess the purest heart and a translucent soul, and their lives are protected by the Heavenly Dao. I always considered that a fallacy and never believed it."

"But... ever since Wuyi arrived at Eternal Night to stay by the Venerable One’s side, the purity of her heart and the sincerity of her feelings have completely transcended the word 'loyalty.' As long as it benefits the Venerable One's desires, she has disregarded her own life time and time again. Her thoughts are the Venerable One’s thoughts, her wishes are yours, and her direction is wherever you point... The Venerable One must feel the weight of her heart and mind far more than we do."

"That Secret Manual from the ancient past, hidden within the sea of mist, was also found after Wuyi arrived. Of the six types of crystals recorded within that can defy fate, three of them are so rare they appear once in ten thousand years, and two haven't even been recorded before. Yet, in just a dozen or so years, the Luminous Glaze Heart-Tempering Jade, the Dark Soul Stone, and the Black Obsidian Evil-Purging Crystal have all been successfully found."

"The Abyss Heart Vine, which had never before appeared, was found by Wuyi in the God-Sleep Forbidden Zone. Now, less than two months later, the Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal is within reach... To be this successful, even the word 'miracle' is insufficient to describe it. Thus, I no longer dare to disbelieve in the existence of 'Heavenly Blessing.'"

"And such blessing is all because of Wuyi’s arrival, and more so because of the direction of her heart and the prayers of her soul."

To everyone's surprise—and in a manner that was almost eerie—Shenwu Yanye did not interrupt Shenwu Mingque throughout this long speech.

Shenwu Mingque bowed deeply. "I am now firmly convinced that as long as Wuyi is by your side, all that the Venerable One seeks shall be granted. The future of Eternal Night will surely... transcend even the Venerable One’s highest expectations."

She had risked saying these words with a very clear goal: she hoped Shenwu Yanye would treat Shenwu Wuyi kindly.

After a brief, suffocating silence, Shenwu Yanye’s grim voice rang out again: "If you cannot retrieve the Seven Apertures Coiling Dragon Profound Crystal, you know the consequences... Scram!"

"Yes! Mingque takes her leave." Shenwu Mingque backed away and, upon turning around, let out a small sigh of relief.

Dreaming Moon God Kingdom, Divine Son's Palace.

Yun Che sat cross-legged on the ground. Fire danced between his fingers as a vermilion flame flickered gently. Faint shadows of birds danced within the flames before vanishing, singing out musical movements that were pleasing to the ear and soothing to the soul. At times, the bird cries were clear and fluid like a lingering confession of love, soft and tender; at times, the shadows shattered and reformed like a cold spring washing over stones, cleansing all delusions; and at times, the flame light dimmed and flared suddenly like jade breaking on a tray, its lingering warmth scorching the heart.

Shangguan Helu, Liu Zhanyi, and Meng Zhiyuan stood quietly to the side. The pearl hairpins at their temples swayed gently, and their beautiful eyes were filled with the glow of the vermilion flames. Their souls had long since drifted to some intoxicated place.

It was not until Yun Che closed his hand, extinguishing the flames and the bird shadows, that they finally snapped back to their senses. Yet, their eyes remained misty, as if they were half-awake from a dream.

Meng Zhiyuan spoke slowly, murmuring in a voice that was almost like sleep-talking, "The Young Master's mastery of music is actually so heavenly. How can there be someone like the Young Master in this world..."

Yun Che looked up, a warm, gentle smile playing on his lips. "This isn't actually music in the conventional sense. It is a unique profound sound produced by the Vermilion Bird Flame. It can dispel evil and filth, and it clears the heart and settles the soul. That is why it sounds exceptionally pleasant; it isn't really due to my musical mastery."

Liu Zhanyi pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. "Though you are a Divine Son, you remain warm and humble. In this world, only the Young Master is like this."

Shangguan Helu nodded repeatedly in deep agreement.

Yun Che shook his head and smiled... Suddenly, Li Suo’s voice rang out in his sea of soul: "In the Vermilion Bird sound you just played, did you mix in the soul might of the Dreaming Moon Divine Manual?"

To be seen through by Li Suo didn't surprise Yun Che at all. The smile on his lips grew a bit more profound. "To think they could actually merge; don't you think it's quite miraculous?"

"It is more than just a surprise."

Li Suo’s voice carried a hint of complex gravity. "The Vermilion Bird Flame is a sacred flame among the three divine flames. Its fire and sound are pure and holy, brooking no filth or redundancy. And yet you were able to... merge it into the Dreaming Moon divine power..."

Her voice gradually grew softer. "Is this also... a power bestowed by the Ancestral God?"

If the holy sound of soul-soothing was silently merged with the soul-sound of Dreaming Moon, wouldn't it be incredibly easy to lead someone into a dream while they were in a state of pleasant relaxation? Yun Che spoke as if casually, "As you said, the Vermilion Bird Flame brooks no filth. Thus, I could only make a shallow attempt. This might already be the limit; it may be hard to take it any further."

Li Suo remained silent for a long time.

Meng Zhiyuan took a small step forward, her pale pink face carrying thirty percent trepidation and seventy percent longing. "Young Master, Zhiyuan wishes to make a very presumptuous request. When the Young Master is free, could you... play for us often?"

The hierarchy within the God Kingdoms was extremely strict. Attendants of anyone else would never dare to speak such "disrespectful" words, let alone to a Divine Son... Yun Che was likely the only exception in the entire Dreaming Moon God Kingdom. Likewise, what he received in return was far more than just loyalty.

Meeting the bright gazes of the three women, Yun Che gave a response without the slightest hesitation: "The Vermilion Bird Flame is known as the Flame of World Redemption. Although it burns within me, it should belong to all living beings in this world. If you wish to hear it, I am willing at any time. If one day I can master it freely and play it for all the spirits in the world, only then will I truly live up to the gift bestowed upon me by the Spirit Immortal Oracle."

As soon as he finished speaking, a light chuckle drifted down from above, followed by the elegant voice of a man: "If the Spirit Immortal heard these words, he would surely be immensely gratified."

The faces of the three women changed instantly. They shouted in unison, "Who is it! How dare you trespass into the Divine Son's Palace!"

When their gazes followed the sound, they saw a man dressed in plain white robes standing still in the air barely thirty feet above. Yet even at such a close distance, the three women could not detect even a shred of his aura. Even his face seemed to be covered by a layer of impenetrable white mist, making his features impossible to see. What frightened them even more was that this person had come so close, yet neither Meng Shouyuan, who was guarding nearby, nor Lu Laisheng, who was guarding further away, had shown any reaction.

Yun Che stood up, the same faint smile still on his face. "You three may step down. Today’s events and today’s guest need not be mentioned to anyone outside the hall."

The three women withdrew, leaving the space empty. The man in white slowly descended, the mist on his face dissipating to reveal a handsome, otherworldly face that seemed carved by the gods. His features were elegant and his temperament refined, carrying a natural aura of loneliness and majesty that spanned ages—enough to make the world lose its color and all things bow their heads.

The Abyss Sovereign, Mo Su⁶. As the two faced each other again, their dynamic was no longer the master-servant probing of their first meeting.

Yun Che looked him up and down and said with a grin, "Big Brother is the esteemed Abyss Sovereign, yet you’ve personally descended to my humble abode. I imagine there must be some world-shaking matter to entrust to me?"

The corners of Mo Su’s mouth twitched slightly. Though it was still a bit stiff, it was clearly a heartfelt smile. "There is actually nothing. I simply wanted to find someone to talk to."

"Hmm?" Yun Che widened his eyes in an exaggerated fashion, seemingly unable to believe it.

Mo Su sat down quite casually in front of Yun Che and sighed. "I... I once thought that these three million years had already made me accustomed to loneliness. But since meeting and recognizing you at the Pure Land, it feels as if I’ve found another purpose for my life. In just two short months, the desire to speak has arisen in my heart a dozen times."

"Hahahaha!!"

Yun Che laughed and plopped down as well. "As expected. Even the supreme Abyss Sovereign of the Abyss, the only god in the eyes of the world, has the thoughts of a mortal."

Mo Su looked up and spoke quietly, "If I could trade this entire being for a hundred breaths of a mortal's life, I would do so without the slightest hesitation. Unfortunately... what right do I have to dream of such extravagance?"

"So," Yun Che looked at him, "what does Big Brother want to talk about?"

Mo Su shook his head. "I don't know."

Yun Che’s lips moved slightly, and he suddenly said, "Then... how about we talk about you and Panxiao Die⁷?"

The sudden mention of that forbidden name caused Mo Su’s aura to instantly freeze.