Above the Pure Land, at Eden Cloud Peak.

The Myriad Dao Divine Official¹ walked leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back, his plain robe fluttering in the wind as he trod upon the clouds and mist.

His name was Myriad Dao, for he cultivated all paths and savored all paths. In his world, there was no high or low, no good or evil, no delusion or anger, no sorrow or joy—only what he desired and what he did not.

Ahead, a tall figure slowly approached.

This figure stood nearly ten feet tall, yet the imposing aura it carried was something even a ten-thousand-foot mountain could not match a fraction of, causing the Myriad Dao Divine Official to halt his steps.

As the two faced each other, the clouds, mist, and flowing winds of Eden Cloud Peak completely froze, as if time and space had been sealed.

"Myriad Dao," the figure spoke indifferently, his emotionless voice like divine hammers striking the soul with every word, causing the dead silent space to tremble and nearly shatter. "Why have you come here?"

"Of course, to see the Abyss Emperor²." Myriad Dao narrowed his aged eyes, retorting, "And why has the Grand Divine Official³ come here?"

The Grand Divine Official did not answer, his voice deep like a world-鎮壓ing bell. "Then retreat. The Abyss Emperor has already entered the Nameless Pagoda⁴."

"...!?" The Myriad Dao Divine Official, rarely showing emotion, actually displayed deep astonishment and confusion on his face.

"The door he has sought for three million years is almost within reach. Why would he enter the Nameless Pagoda at this moment?"

The Nameless Pagoda, the sky-supporting tower that upheld the High Heaven Pure Land. It was also the most incomprehensible existence to Yun Che when he first arrived in the Pure Land.

All four Divine Officials knew that once the Abyss Emperor stepped into the Nameless Pagoda, no one could actively find him.

Because it was a forbidden place exclusive to him alone. Even the Grand Divine Official, who was closest to him, had never followed him into the Nameless Pagoda, nor did he know what lay within. There was no way to actively enter, not even to transmit spiritual sense, aura, or sound into it.

It was as if it were another world, separate from the Abyss World.

In other words, if the Abyss Emperor was inside the Nameless Pagoda, even if the sky collapsed and the earth split, he would absolutely not be disturbed. Therefore, his every entry would only be for a matter of utmost importance.

"I do not know." The Grand Divine Official was expressionless. In truth, he too was surprised by the Abyss Emperor's action, but he would not investigate, nor should he.

The Myriad Dao Divine Official said no more and turned to leave.

"Myriad Dao." The Grand Divine Official, however, called out to him. "You still haven't answered, why have you come here?" Myriad Dao cast a sidelong glance, slowly saying, "With a great matter at hand, there is no room for flaws. Therefore, I came to remind the Abyss Emperor of a potential unsettling factor."

The Grand Divine Official remained unmoved, slowly uttering a name: "Shen Wuyi⁵."

The Myriad Dao Divine Official smiled faintly. "Indeed, the Grand Divine Official would not be unaware of this point. It seems that even if the Abyss Emperor had not entered the Nameless Pagoda, my trip would have been superfluous."

"Exquisite Profound Realm, Glazed Ice⁶," he murmured, a look of astonishment on his face, even for a Divine Official. "In our era, the Exquisite Profound Realm was exceedingly rare, and Glazed Ice had long been extinct."

"Both appearing in one person... unprecedented throughout the ages."

"Leaving aside how this woman, an anomaly, came into being, if she were to inherit the divine source of the Evernight Divine Kingdom before the great matter is complete... then a Divine Master⁷ possessing both the Exquisite Profound Realm and Glazed Ice might very well be able to break free from 'control'."

The Grand Divine Official remained unmoved, retorting, "How likely is Shen Wuyanye⁸ to pass on her divine source to Shen Wuyi before 'that'?"

"Zero."

Myriad Dao's answer required not even a moment's thought.

"Shen Wuyanye is the least likely among the current Seven Divine Masters to relinquish her divine source. She probably wouldn't actively pass it on until her dying breath. After all, her current dignity rests entirely on the title 'Unenlightened Divine Master'. With her extremely selfish and twisted nature, how could she give up her divine source while still alive?"

The Grand Divine Official said, "Therefore, your concern does not exist. Forcibly eliminating her would drive Shen Wuyanye to madness, creating unforeseen variables instead."

The Myriad Dao Divine Official, however, said, "I believe that an un-triggered hidden danger is still a hidden danger, and it's better to eliminate it."

The Grand Divine Official remained silent.

"Never mind." The Myriad Dao Divine Official turned, saying indifferently, "The Abyss Emperor is not here, and there is no one to arbitrate between you and me. Consider that I never came."

Without further words, the Myriad Dao Divine Official departed leisurely.

Just as he was about to leap off Eden Cloud Peak, he suddenly paused, asking casually, "What do you say, how likely is it that we will ascend to the Eternal Pure Land together??"

The Grand Divine Official's gaze suddenly turned colder, and the surrounding space instantly transformed into a chilling ice prison. "That is not a question for you or me to ponder."

"Hahahahaha!"

The Myriad Dao Divine Official burst into laughter. It was a distinctly unrestrained laugh, yet eerily devoid of any emotion or warmth.

"You're right."

He tilted his body, dropping from Eden Cloud Peak and vanishing into the vast sea of clouds in an instant.

————

When Yun Che emerged from his cultivation space, his face was slightly pale, and his steps were a little unsteady.

"Young Master!" Meng Zhiyuan⁹, who had been waiting outside, quickly rushed forward and carefully supported him. "Are you... alright?"

In just a few words, this usually lively and uninhibited girl was already teary-eyed, on the verge of crying.

"Of course I'm fine." Yun Che said nonchalantly, "It's just a slight stripping of dragon marrow and dragon soul. There will always be a period of discomfort, but it will soon pass."

"But..." Meng Zhiyuan lowered her head, forcefully suppressing the urge to scold that young dragon master... After all, everything was Young Master's own choice.

"I need a few days to rest..." Yun Che smiled faintly, the curve of his lips gentle and softly comforting. "Just enough time to finish the jade carving."

"Okay!" Meng Zhiyuan quickly nodded. "This maidservant will go prepare at once."

In the study, a place Yun Che rarely visited, a distinct, rhythmic carving sound echoed in the quiet.

Yun Che sat before a large desk, holding a palm-sized silver jade tablet. With a finger tip condensed with profound energy, he slowly and carefully carved the jade tablet.

Meng Zhiyuan entered with light steps, placed the tea and snacks down, and as she prepared to turn and leave, she secretly glanced at Yun Che... She had only intended a quick peek, but her gaze met his focused eyes and the faint curve of his lips, and she became entranced, unable to tear her eyes away for a long time.

Yun Che looked up, their gazes meeting. "Zhiyuan, is something the matter?"

"Ah..." Meng Zhiyuan gasped, her heart pounding. Yet, she did not avert her gaze. Instead, as usual, she spoke with a "presumptuous" coquettishness, "Young Master, can this maidservant take a look at your jade carving? Helu¹⁰, Zhanyi¹¹ and I have been guessing these past few days... something that makes Young Master so dedicated must be for the Heaven-Shattering Divine Maiden, right?"

Yun Che laughed. "If you want to see, then see."

"Heh, then this maidservant won't be polite."

Meng Zhiyuan practically skipped to Yun Che's side. As she leaned in, her fragrant long hair seemed to intentionally or unintentionally brush against Yun Che's shoulder.

When she saw the jade tablet in Yun Che's hand, she immediately let out a surprised "Oh?"

"This is... Divine Master?"

The profound energy at his fingertip stopped carving. Yun Che teased, "You sound very disappointed?" "Of course... uh, no, no." Meng Zhiyuan quickly denied. "I thought... Ah, I know!"

She suddenly realized something, enlightened. "So, Young Master is preparing a birthday gift for Divine Master."

Yun Che did not deny it. "Divine Master Senior is of noble status and vast knowledge. I considered many luxurious items, but ultimately felt that only something imbued with my heart and effort could slightly express my gratitude and respect for him."

"Divine Master dotes on Young Master so much; he'll love anything Young Master gives him."

Meng Zhiyuan looked closely, her gaze shifting to another unfinished figure on the carving. "Then this person, is that Young Master?"

Yun Che's eyes lowered slightly, his smile gentle. "It is Meng Jian Yuan¹²."

"That's right, Young Master is Meng Jian... Oh!" Meng Zhiyuan instantly realized something, blinking. "I understand. Young Master has always felt guilty that he couldn't recover his memories, couldn't identify with the name and identity of Meng Jian Yuan, and still couldn't genuinely call Divine Master 'Father God'."

"So, Young Master's jade carving is offered with the identity of 'Meng Jian Yuan' whom you cannot remember, while also expressing your own feelings and guilt."

Yun Che turned his gaze, looking deeply at the girl beside him, and sighed softly, "Zhiyuan, you are truly unparalleled in wisdom. What you just said perfectly aligns with my thoughts."

The girl's lively eyes were like still water illuminated by moonlight, clearly reflecting his face... and also revealing the gloom in his heart in minute detail.

"Thank you for the compliment, Young Master." Meng Zhiyuan smiled happily, her beautiful face silently blushing, then softly read the two lines of text clearly just carved below the jade tablet:

"Since Meng sees the Abyss, he shall soar to the heavens."¹³

Many in the Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom knew these eight characters; they were the meaning behind Meng Kongchan¹⁴ naming the Dream Weaving Divine Son "Meng Jian Yuan."

"Gazing at the Abyss, praying to the heavens, wishing Father eternal peace."¹⁵

Meng Zhiyuan's smile blossomed. "Divine Master will be overjoyed to see this word 'Father'. His laughter might even reach beyond the domain."

"But... 'Gazing at the Abyss, praying to the heavens,' why 'Gazing at the Abyss'?"

Gazing at the Abyss... naturally because Meng Jian Yuan was already dead, forever remaining in the abyss of no life.

This jade carving was his birthday gift to his Father God, on behalf of the deceased Meng Jian Yuan.

Yun Che hid the unusual glint in his eyes, explaining with a smile, "Where we are is the world of the Abyss. The words 'Gazing at the Abyss' refer to looking out at all things in heaven and earth, praying for blessings and peace for Father."

"So that's it!"

To Meng Zhiyuan, naturally, whatever Young Master said was right. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliant light. "Young Master's intentions, I believe all things in heaven and earth in our Abyss World can clearly perceive."

Yun Che smiled without speaking, his finger unconsciously touching the jade carving, resting on the character "Father," which, though the simplest, had taken the longest to carve.

"Zhiyuan..." he suddenly said, "Go tell Zhanyi and Helu that you all have three months of free leave. You can go back to visit and accompany your parents and relatives, or go wherever else you wish. You don't need to serve here anymore."

The girl's breath hitched. Her always vibrant face instantly turned a ghastly pale, as if she had suddenly received an unbearable shock.

Yun Che sighed inwardly, but could only helplessly explain, "Because for the next few months, I should be in the Heaven-Shattering Divine Kingdom."

The look of shock instantly faded. Meng Zhiyuan raised her hand and patted her chest repeatedly, letting out a long sigh of relief, then resolutely refused, "We know this is Young Master's favor, but it's absolutely not allowed. It's better to take regular leave and return to our clans as usual. If we truly returned to our clans for three months, our parents and relatives would probably be scared to death."

"Hmm? Why?"

Meng Zhiyuan explained earnestly, "Young Master is too noble; there are many things you might not see. For example... Zhanyi is a royal princess from the Northern Flowing Bright Realm. She was originally sent to the Divine Kingdom as a tribute. It would have been a great blessing for her to become a maidservant to an ordinary imperial prince."

"But after she became a maidservant close to Young Master, the entire Flowing Bright Realm was shaken. Her imperial concubine mother, who was originally a low-ranking concubine, now almost surpasses the Empress in status."

"Later, rumors spread outside that all three of us had been favored by Young Master, serving him day and night, and that there was a high possibility of us bearing children for Young Master in the future... Hehe, the Flowing Bright Realm's annual tribute has been reduced by thirty percent, and surrounding forces that once had grievances now actively show goodwill, no longer daring to offend."

The corners of her lips curved upwards. In that upward curve, there was no shyness, no vanity, only a unique ethereal quality of a young girl, and a natural pride in her Young Master.

"Helu's maternal clan was only a medium-sized force in the Nine Kui Domain, originally not even qualified to offer maidservants to the Divine Kingdom. But Helu was chosen for her beauty and came to Young Master's side. Now, Helu's maternal clan is practically an uncrowned king in the Nine Kui Domain. The Nine Kui Domain Lord even bows and exchanges pleasantries when he sees her parents."

"And I don't even need to mention myself. I was already famous in the East City lineage, and after coming to Young Master's side, my reputation grew even larger... I heard that my great-grandfather even opened a separate page for me in the family tree, hehe..."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, a sweet, girlish sound silently dissolving into the quiet air of the study.

"So, if we suddenly went back and stayed too long, rumors would surely spread that we were cruelly abandoned by Young Master. Our parents probably wouldn't wait until the next day before anxiously rushing us back."

Yun Che shook his head and smiled, seemingly helpless. "Alright, then you may do as you please."

He hadn't asked them to leave for three months without reason.

But... for them, for anyone, no one could be sure which choice would ultimately lead to the best, or most desired, outcome.

He lowered his eyes, his fingertips once again condensing profound energy, continuing to carve the jade tablet in his hand.

Meng Zhiyuan, not "driven away," quietly accompanied him, her beautiful eyes following the slow carving lines, at some point shifting to his profile, and then unable to move away.

…………

Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom, Divine Master's Pavilion.

"Yuan'er."

From a distance, Meng Kongchan had already sensed Yun Che's somewhat unsteady aura. He had put down what he was doing early, watching him approach respectfully. He didn't ask about the dragon clan matter, nor did he sigh about whether it was worth it. Instead, he smiled and said, "It seems you have fulfilled a wish. That is very good."

After Yun Che bowed and greeted him, he directly stated his purpose: "After parting with the Glazed Light Pure Land last time, I promised Cai Li¹⁶ that I would visit her in Heaven-Shattering within three months. Now that three months are almost up, I was hoping..."

"Oh, hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan laughed knowingly. "So that's it! You did indeed promise three months, no mistake. You should go, you should go! I'll have someone prepare gifts at once. Nothing less for Cai Li, and for Hua Fuchen¹⁷ and Qing... uh, your aunt's, nothing less for them either."

Yun Che looked up, respectfully saying, "This junior did not come to report my itinerary, but rather... I hope Senior can accompany me."

With the Eternal Pure Land approaching, Meng Kongchan was currently swamped with affairs and found it difficult to leave. He was about to reluctantly decline, but then he suddenly caught a glimpse of unspoken expectation in Yun Che's eyes, which quickly receded.

The words he was about to utter could no longer be spoken. His Yuan'er had returned for several years, yet he had never actively made any requests of him... This was also the first time he had seen such expectation for himself in his eyes.

Meng Kongchan smiled, casually tossing aside the item in his hand. He stood up, his smile becoming exceptionally hearty. "Go, of course I'll go! This father also has quite a few things to discuss with Cai Li's father."

Yun Che's face showed gratitude, and he bowed again. "Thank you, Divine Master Senior, for your kindness. With Senior by my side, this junior will have no more apprehension on this journey."

"Between father and son, why the need for such formalities?" Meng Kongchan waved his hand. "Speaking of which, the only thing in this world that could make you 'apprehensive' is probably anything concerning that girl Cai Li, hahahaha."

With that, he burst into laughter. Perhaps he laughed too heartily, forgetting to restrain himself, and his laughter echoed far into the Nine Dream Halls, causing the Nine Dream Masters to look at each other, wondering what great joyous event could cause the Divine Master to lose his composure so.

Little did they know that the laughter contained only a father's joy at finally being actively needed by his son.

Stepping out of the Unenlightened Divine Master's pavilion, Yun Che's steps were slow as he looked up at the distant sky.

The protective barrier cast a seemingly never-fading silver glow upon the gray clouds of the firmament, quiet as usual.

No one could perceive the nightmare clouds that had quietly accumulated beneath the calm, surging in the depths.

He paused, slowly closed his eyes, and a myriad of emotions surged chaotically in his heart.

Heaven-Shattering...

You gave me my "beloved" in the Abyss World.

Dream Weaving...

I gave you my "closest kin" in the Abyss World.

But all I can give you...

Is only the most tragic and darkest funeral dirge...

There is no reincarnation in this world, nor a next life.

This sin, this evil, after my homeland is safe, let the myriad heavenly condemnations fall upon me.

He opened his eyes, all darkness hidden within.

He resumed his steps, moving forward.

No regrets, no sorrow, no future... and no return.

————

[↑ Don't be scared by the text above, what follows is all sweetness, the cloyingly sweet kind.]

[What comes after the sweetness, I don't know...]