Inside the Divine Son Hall, Mo Su and Yun Che had been drinking heavily for a full hour. Shattered wine jars lay tilted across the floor in a chaotic mess. The mellow, piercing aroma of wine permeated the air, so thick that a mere breath was enough to intoxicate one’s soul.

Clang!

Another jar was emptied. As it was pulled away from Mo Su’s lips, his face was already flushed red as blood. His eyes were completely blurred, his brows heavy with intoxication, and even the smile at the corner of his mouth carried a trace of the listless wandering found only when the world is forgotten.

At this moment, he no longer possessed even a shred of the Abyss Sovereign’s¹ divine aura, nor a hint of icy divinity. He was simply a mortal soul who had cast off the shackles of a thousand ages, allowing himself to drown in a drunken stupor.

He exhaled a long breath of turbid air and looked up at the ceiling, sighing with lament: "The world often says three cups of wine can dissolve a thousand sorrows. It turns out, it’s not that wine cannot dispel grief, but that I have never had such a person to drink with... Hahaha..."

He laughed aloud, unrestrained and wild. "This exhilaration, this lightness... it has been too long, far too long since... gulp..."

Yun Che laughed along with him. With a flick of his finger, two more large jars of wine slammed onto the table. "I have a thousand jars of wine prepared in my hall, yet I too lacked someone to share them with—until today, when I could finally drink to my heart’s content. Big Brother, feel free to come often in the future. As the exalted Abyss Sovereign who looks down upon the world, you have more right than any living being to drink your fill of the world's winds and moons... even if only to steal half a day of leisure and joy."

Mo Su did not respond. His expression suddenly stiffened, and even the surrounding air abruptly froze.

A moment later, he slowly stood up. In an instant, the drunken stupor and the scent of alcohol on his body vanished completely. The hazy blur in his eyes was gone, replaced by a clarity as piercing as an eternal frozen abyss. Even the wine that had soaked half his clothes was expelled. What remained was only the majesty and indifference of one who looks down upon the heavens and scorns all living things.

Yun Che was slightly startled. He also stood up, dispelling his own intoxication, and let out a somewhat helpless sigh. "Is Big Brother leaving?"

"Yes." Mo Su nodded slightly. He gazed at Yun Che and smiled faintly. "This half-day of joy felt like a new life. But for me, it is too extravagant, and too sinful."

As he spoke, almost subconsciously, his fingers brushed against the pitch-black bracelet on his wrist, lingering there for a long time.

Yun Che’s lips moved, but he ultimately sighed and spoke plainly: "So, to Big Brother, as long as she does not wake for a single day, every bit of pleasure you obtain is a sin that should not exist and cannot be endured?"

Mo Su’s smile remained unchanged, but he asked a somewhat cruel question: "If you were of her kin, would you forgive her?"

Yun Che thought for a brief moment and gave his most honest response: "Though true empathy does not exist in this world, if I try to place myself among the Devil Race of old... regardless of whether it was her father’s or mother’s side, no matter how much they pampered and praised her before... afterward, there would likely only be the most intense resentment and hatred. If there is awareness after death and they witnessed the end of the Devil Race, such hatred would likely be impossible to dissolve even in death, let alone forgive."

Mo Su’s expression did not change despite Yun Che’s bluntness, for he knew the answer all too well.

He continued to ask: "Then, if there were a woman like Xiao Die who did not hesitate to do such a thing to save your life... if your life was saved at the cost of her committing an unpardonable sin spanning ten thousand generations, could you persuade yourself to be at peace?"

"..." Yun Che did not answer; he could not answer.

"It is easy to forgive others, but so difficult to forgive oneself. Since she is like this, what right do I have..."

Before he finished his sentence, he shook his head and laughed. "Yun Che, you are in the prime of your youth; you should live as freely and willfully as Big Brother Ni Xuan did. Such gloomy matters should not always be told to you."

Yun Che’s gaze was sincere. "Between brothers, nothing is unspoken. I believe these words are things Big Brother would only say to me."

Mo Su turned around. His peerless profile carried a faint divine glimmer, yet it was tinged with an eternal, unchanging sorrow, as if the previous intoxication had been but a fleeting, luxurious dream.

"This life has been trapped in stagnation and loneliness, yet to meet Brother Che and share this joyful drink is enough. However, this heart is bound to the Abyss and ultimately cannot be fully given. When the Eternal Pure Land² clears the clouds to see the sun and the light reappears, I shall drink to intoxication with my brother once more, until the end of time."

"Fine!!" Yun Che did not offer consolation, but nodded heavily. "Since the Eternal Pure Land is already within reach, the light Big Brother has been praying for is naturally at your fingertips. I shall watch Big Brother’s figure from afar and quietly await that day."

Mo Su closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, his smile was still shallow. "Given Xiao Die’s temperament, she would surely like you very much. That day is truly something to yearn for with madness... Brother Che, do not forget the journey to the Pure Land in ten years."

After giving that seemingly redundant reminder once more, Mo Su floated into the air.

"Big Brother!"

Yun Che suddenly called out to him, but after speaking, he showed hesitation. After a few breaths, he said, "Could Big Brother leave me a sound transmission stone or a similar vessel so I can contact you at any time?"

"Oh?" Mo Su looked back, his eyes filled with a smile. "With the temperament you inherited from Big Brother Ni Xuan, you naturally disdain any form of protection. I presume there is some unresolved matter?"

Yun Che said, "Big Brother has eyes like torches; it is indeed so. Before my master passed away, he entrusted a precious item to me. After meeting Big Brother, I feel this item might be more suitable in your hands. However... my master’s entrustment remains unfulfilled, and I feel some hesitation."

Mo Su did not say much, nor did he ask further. Instead, he tapped his finger, and a speck of pale light slowly floated down into Yun Che’s hand, condensing into a piece of lustrous white warm jade entwined with a faint soul light.

"Crush this jade, and I will appear. No matter when, no matter what the matter is."

Without a doubt, as long as Yun Che was willing, this could be a life-saving stone that could easily resolve any crisis in the Abyss.

Yun Che tucked it away with a solemn expression. "Good. Once I have made my decision, I will invite Big Brother to meet."

Mo Su nodded slightly, and his figure vanished into the sky above, leaving not a single ripple of profound energy behind.

Yun Che did not immediately retract the barrier. He stood still, lost in deep thought for a long time.

Li Suo whispered, "To the myriad spirits of the world, he views them as mere grass; yet to Pan Xiaodie, his affection is etched into his very bones. So, is he a heartless person, or a person of supreme devotion?"

Yun Che spoke unhurriedly, "The union of those two contributed greatly to the destruction of both the God and Devil races, marking the end of an era. The burden Mo Su carries is not just that, but also the monstrous sin Pan Xiaodie committed for him... I am not Mo Su, so I cannot truly feel what he feels. But having spent this time reflecting on his life, I’ve begun to feel that after enduring such experiences, it wouldn’t be surprising no matter how extreme a person he became."

"Will he come here often in the future?" Li Suo asked with some concern. Clearly, she feared Yun Che might expose some secret because of this... after all, that was the Abyss Sovereign Mo Su.

"No," Yun Che said with relative certainty. "I am not surprised he came to find me. After all, with my 'identity,' I am the only person in this world he is willing to humble himself for and be close to. Three million years of loneliness will inevitably cause uncontrollable ripples in his heart. But... this will likely be the only time. Because he will soon realize that every bit of comfort he felt will turn into deeper guilt once he wakes up."

"As long as Pan Xiaodie does not wake, he will never be able to release his heart."

"So..." Li Suo seemed to understand. "Was your sentence earlier intended to provoke him?"

"In a way," Yun Che said. "Even if I didn't intentionally provoke him with words, he would still blame and bind himself after sobering up. I simply accelerated the process. After all, when facing him just now, I couldn't use any method to dispel the alcohol. If we kept drinking... I feared I might misspeak."

Even if Mo Su could truly allow himself to be drunk to the point of losing his soul, Yun Che absolutely could not.

Suddenly, Yun Che’s soul sea flickered.

"What is it?" Li Suo asked immediately.

"..." Yun Che shook his head slightly. "It’s nothing. Just many reflections touching my heartstrings."

Li Suo knew he wasn't being entirely truthful, but she did not ask again.

That sensation of being watched...

The soul trauma from the Punishment of Desolate Devouring had already healed, but that feeling of being peered upon still existed, whether here or in the Sea of Mist. Even just now, while drinking with Mo Su...

Yet Mo Su had no reaction.

Was it something even he couldn't detect, or did this so-called "peering" not exist at all... or perhaps...

At that moment, he sensed Meng Jianxi’s aura rapidly approaching, tinged with anxiety.

Yun Che reached out and waved away the barrier, commanding, "Laisheng, go out and welcome Divine Son Jianxi into the hall. No need to announce."

Soon, Meng Jianxi arrived before Yun Che and got straight to the point: "Brother Yuan, the head of the Night Watchers³ from the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom, Shenwu Mingque, has personally come to visit. However, she didn't come to see Father God or the Chief Hall Master, but requested to see me. This matter is truly strange."

"Oh? To see you?" Yun Che looked puzzled. After a brief deliberation, his eyes narrowed, and he whispered, "It seems it’s for that dragon-shaped Abyss Crystal?"

Meng Jianxi’s mouth opened slightly, followed by a sigh of genuine admiration. "As expected of Brother Yuan. I pondered for a long time and also felt this was the most likely reason. If that is indeed the case, since this crystal was obtained by Brother Yuan, if any involvement is required, it should be decided by you."

Yun Che adopted a thoughtful pose while Meng Jianxi waited in silence. After a long time, Yun Che spoke calmly: "They just caused a great grievance, yet now they have the face to come to our door—and the head of the Night Watchers, no less. It seems the one in urgent need of this dragon-shaped crystal is surely that Wuming God-Sovereign."

"With Wuming God-Sovereign’s temperament, if she fails to obtain it, she will never let it go. Since we do not know the secrets or the use of this dragon-shaped crystal, we might as well give it to her, but..."

He paused, turning his gaze toward Meng Jianxi. "Remember: first, this crystal was found by a member of your household by chance in the Sea of Mist. It must not involve me, and certainly not Long Jiang. Second..."

A cold light of undisguised malice flashed in his eyes. "With a grudge before us and a request behind them, what reason do we have not to... open our mouths wide like a lion!"

Meng Jianxi understood and nodded silently.

...

Returning to his manor, Meng Jianxi could already sense that gloomy, murderous aura unique to the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom from a distance. He quickly straightened his attire and bowed as he entered: "Senior Shenwu’s presence at my humble manor brings me overwhelming trepidation. Due to some trivial matters outside, I was unable to welcome you personally. It is truly disrespectful; I hope Senior can be magnanimous."

Shenwu Mingque turned around and said indifferently, "Divine Son Jianxi, there is no need for pleasantries. I have come today without prior notice to ask for your assistance with a matter."

Meng Jianxi hurriedly said, "Senior, your words are too heavy. If it is within my capability, you need only command. The word 'ask' is something I absolutely cannot accept."

Shenwu Mingque’s gaze was dark, her emotions difficult to read... it was not the usual deep, cold majesty of a high-ranking person, but a lusterless gloom born of a person whose dignity had been crushed and trampled for years, whose convictions had long since been twisted and alienated.

She looked at Meng Jianxi, her heart filled with sighs... Dreamweaver and Eternal Night had just formed a blood feud in the Pure Land; this was known to almost the entire world. Yet the Dreamweaver Divine Son before her was perfectly courteous and composed, without a single flaw or crack in his demeanor, as if there had never been any rift between the two nations.

Such age and temperament, such composure and shrewdness—she couldn't help but sigh. And above him, there was a Meng Jianyuan who was many times more outstanding.

The future of the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom was limitless, while the future of Eternal Night...

Wiping away her stray thoughts, she spoke directly: "Since that is the case, I will not waste words. I heard by chance that Divine Son Jianxi recently obtained a dragon-shaped Abyss Crystal. However, not knowing its use, you have sent people everywhere to search for records and explore its secrets. I wonder if you have gained anything?"

Meng Jianxi looked up, a perfectly timed look of surprise on his face. "This... could it be that Senior has come specifically for that strange crystal shaped like a coiled dragon? Uh... to be honest with Senior, no one in our Dreamweaver Kingdom recognizes this crystal. My search thus far has yielded no results. Since Senior mentions it, could it be that you recognize it?"

Shenwu Mingque watched every flicker of his eyes and slowly parted her lips: "Of course I recognize it. Its name is... the Coiled Dragon Seven Profound Crystal."

Meng Jianxi’s brow twitched slightly, a flash of surprise flitting through his eyes—all of which was captured by Shenwu Mingque.

"It seems Divine Son Jianxi has heard this name?"

Meng Jianxi made an effort to memorize all the intelligence gathered by the Xuanji Hall. Although the name "Coiled Dragon Seven Profound Crystal" existed only on the fringes of countless messages, it still allowed him to clearly recall it the moment he heard it.

After a split-second weighing of options, Meng Jianxi did not deny it. Instead, he spoke very frankly: "I will not hide it from Senior; I have indeed heard of this name. Furthermore, this name originated from the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom; it must have been something my people in Xuanji Hall discovered by chance. If I have offended you, I hope Senior can forgive me."

"Hmph!"

Shenwu Mingque let out a cold, lukewarm snort. "The ability of your country's Xuanji Hall to collect intelligence is unmatched under heaven. Since that’s the case, I no longer need to beat around the bush."

Her expression took on the stern majesty of an elder facing a junior, carrying a weight of pressure. Her tone was cold and detached: "Only my Eternal Night knows the name of that crystal you possess, and naturally, only my Eternal Night knows its use and how to use it. In your hands, it will only be a useless waste of a crystal."

"To avoid wasting a heavenly treasure, it is most appropriate to hand this Coiled Dragon Seven Profound Crystal over to my Eternal Night. However, I naturally will not wrong you by making you hand it over for nothing, nor will I take advantage of your ignorance to devalue its worth."

At this point, a burst of pure, almost blinding white light appeared in Shenwu Mingque’s hand, instantly drawing Meng Jianxi’s gaze.

"I shall exchange it for a complete Apocalypse Divine Jade⁴."

Meng Jianxi’s eyes fell upon the Apocalypse Divine Jade, his eyes wide as if he were deeply shocked.

This reaction allowed Shenwu Mingque to breathe a secret sigh of relief. Her demeanor remained as before, her voice gaining more pressure: "I heard by chance that three years ago, the Apocalypse Divine Jade you were bestowed was lost due to an accident, causing you to lose a stepping stone to the heavens in your future. It was a true pity."

"And today, your regret can be mended. To trade a useless crystal for this jade that leads to the heavens—in my view, you have no reason to refuse."