Star-Moon Divine Kingdom, Star-Moon Thousand Machine Tower.

"Ugh!"

Chaxing suddenly woke from meditation, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in fine cold sweat.

Xianyue walked over slowly. He stared at Chaxing for a while, then sat on ground beside him, looking ahead: "Was nightmare that just woke you again about Mist Emperor?"

His voice was exceptionally flat, no different from casual conversation during rest, yet it made Chaxing turn his head sharply. He instinctively wanted to deny it, but touching his rippleless side profile, he finally lowered his head slowly, silently admitting it.

"Chaxing..." Xianyue said slowly: "Last time I told you that our position is far greater than cause and effect, right or wrong, and told you never to mention Mist Emperor's matters again."

He turned his eyes to look at Chaxing, his gaze filled only with sincerity: "I apologize to you for those words."

Chaxing was stunned, then he shook his head: "What you said and did was not wrong at all; why need to apologize. Instead, it is I..."

"No, fault indeed lies with me." Xianyue interrupted him, his eyes still filled with apology and guilt: "Those words were indeed very correct. Divine Sovereign could say them, all elders in clan could say them, but I alone should not have said them..."

"We are Star-Moon Combination. What I should do is bear and overcome with you, not use 'correctness' to forcibly suppress your nature."

"So..." He said sincerely: "Speak words suppressed in your heart to me anytime, anyway you like, regardless of right or wrong, regardless of how 'rebellious' they are."

Chaxing stared at him, touching a clarity that was almost transparent, unreservedly honest. His lips moved, but he remained speechless for a long time.

"Then I will say it." Xianyue smiled slightly: "It is a fact that Mist Emperor saved you. And from a larger perspective, he also saved me, and future of our Star-Moon Divine Kingdom."

He spoke "rebellious" words, but his gaze was as tranquil as still water reflecting moon.

"Because no matter what, I could never find another person as harmonious with me as you."

"This favor, we must repay, and we will repay it together. As for words Mist Emperor said, it is indeed possible they were not slander, but truth suppressed by Pure Land..."

"Xianyue!"

Chaxing suddenly raised his hand, grabbing Xianyue's shoulder, also stopping him from continuing.

Xianyue was not flustered, still smiling faintly: "Heaven and earth are too vast, and Mist Sea is even more boundless. Although we are Divine Sons of Divine Kingdom, already standing at world's height, it does not mean we can see everything clearly... even what we think we see clearly might not be reality."

"But..."

He raised his hand, placing his palm on Chaxing's shoulder as well: "You only need to answer me one question: If one day, Mist Emperor wants to harm our Star-Moon Divine Kingdom, when you strike him, will you hesitate because of this favor?"

"Of course not!"

Chaxing's answer was decisive, without even a moment of hesitation: "We were born in Star-Moon, grew up in Star-Moon. On day we became Star-Moon Divine Sons, we vowed to bear future of Star-Moon Divine Kingdom on our shoulders."

"To me, there is no favor in world, no existence that can stand above words 'Star-Moon'. Not to mention Mist Emperor, even if it were Abyss Emperor..."

His voice stopped, knowing he had misspoken in excitement... but beside him was Xianyue after all. He only paused for a breath, did not take it back, but continued: "No matter who it is, if they offend my Star-Moon, I will surely protect it with my life. No matter what, no reason can make me retreat half a step."

Xianyue laughed, lunar light in his eyes becoming even clearer: "Thus, it is enough. Other things are not important."

A short sentence, like moonlight reflecting soul, drove away all gloom.

Chaxing was dazed for a good while. He looked at Xianyue, and a darkness that had entangled him for countless days and nights seemed to silently dissipate layer by layer in his eyes.

He nodded heavily, his voice carrying a slight tremble: "Yes... as long as this thought is eternally in heart, other things... are not important..."

"Yes!" Xianyue emphasized: "Grudges and favors in heart, right and wrong follow them. As long as Star-Moon's light is eternally flourishing in heart, other things are not important!!"

"..." Chaxing's mouth slowly split into a grin. He met Xianyue's gaze, and then both laughed out loud simultaneously.

Laughter did not stop for a long time. Within this laughter, he finally truly reconciled with his heart demon.

High in sky, Tian Xing and Qiong Yue, two Great Divine Sovereigns, stood side by side, having stayed for unknown amount of time.

"Indeed, they would resolve it themselves." Wushen Yue's eyes were filled with smiles, her voice gentle.

"Naturally." Wushen Xing's demeanor was calm, appearing as if he had known all along: "After all, they are successors we personally chose; how could they not overcome these few mental barriers."

"Is that so?" Wushen Yue glanced at him leisurely, teasing without mercy: "Then who was it that secretly peeked for at least an hour every day, and how many times did they hesitate to speak."

"..." Wushen Xing ignored her, instead looking ahead and sighing softly: "Just don't know how to repay this great favor to Mist Emperor."

"Oh? Chaxing finally overcame his mental barrier, yet you are conflicted instead." Although Wushen Yue said this, smile on her face involuntarily faded.

Wushen Xing shook his head: "Some things, children don't need to understand. But you and I both know, one of most heart-blocking things in world is a favor that cannot be repaid... especially to such a sensitive person, such a heavy great favor."

Wushen Yue said leisurely: "Mist Emperor has removed unsolvable Abyss-Devouring for many people over years, yet never asked for anything in return. Perhaps he doesn't care at all."

Wushen Xing countered: "Do you know since news spread back then, how many people suffering from Abyss-Devouring kneel and walk in Mist Sea every day, praying for Mist Emperor's blessing? But among those who can encounter Mist Emperor's appearance and blessing, there is not even one in ten thousand."

"Yet Chaxing received Mist Emperor's rescue. Is it truly... just luck?"

"..." Wushen Yue remained silent for a long time.

Easy and relaxed atmosphere of two Great Divine Sovereigns just now was invisibly shrouded in a layer of gloom within these few words... but it was very faint. After all, as Star-Moon Divine Sovereigns, there were few things in world they could not resolve.

And that trace of unease that could never be completely let go came from unknown nature of "Mist Emperor's" existence.

Arriving at Heaven-Folding Divine Kingdom again, Yun Che's identity and state of mind had both undergone earth-shaking changes.

However, what remained same was... both times, Huaxin Divine Sovereign personally welcomed him.

Outside Domain Gate, Hua Caili had been waiting for a long time. Hua Fuchen accompanied her, half helpless and half doting. Every breath, every moment, he could clearly perceive his daughter's every thought reaching out, eyes searching until they were strained.

Until end of remote misty clouds, that long-awaited figure finally appeared.

Starlight shone in Hua Caili's eyes, all worries in her heart surging. She could no longer restrain herself. Divine Girl's robes and sword light unfolded, her slender body not waiting for a moment's hesitation, already flying to meet him with such urgency and tenderness.

"Big—Brother—Yun——"

Yun Che and Meng Kongchan stood on a small profound boat. Before Heaven-Folding Divine Kingdom's barrier in their sight was clear, girl's voice filled with joy and excitement already came through remote space and layers of clouds.

"Hahaha." Meng Kongchan laughed understandingly: "Yuan'er, why are you dazed? Go quickly."

"Uh... okay."

Yun Che hurriedly responded and already flew down...

But, just as Yun Che's figure descended from profound boat, while Meng Kongchan had a smile on his face and his mind was most relaxed and comfortable... a moment of extremely profound pitch-black soul light flashed in depths of Yun Che's eyes.

Fingers pinched together also lightly crossed in mid-air.

Snap!

A light sound, instantly vanishing in wind.

At same moment, Meng Kongchan's divine eyes, which were always covered with faint silver light, suddenly revealed a moment of pitch-black soul light identical to that in Yun Che's eyes.

Just like a flash of lightning, pitch-black soul light completely disappeared. Smile on Meng Kongchan's lips remained, and his eyes were full of ease and softness, clearly not noticing his own abnormality at all.

Long wind rolled through drifting clouds. At moment their gazes met from afar, world instantly became deathly silent. Ten thousand thoughts in Hua Caili's eyes bloomed in an instant. She gracefully stepped through layers of clouds, her sleeves stained with faint light as she swept through sky, throwing herself heavily into Yun Che's arms, refusing to let go for a long time.

She closed her eyes, breathing in his scent. In her heart was warmth and peace only he could give her, completely disregarding where she was or who was beside her.

Sea of clouds as curtain, clear wind as accompaniment, ten thousand layers of longing finally had a place to return.

Hua Fuchen looked up at sky. If it were before, he would surely have directly pulled Hua Caili back and then lightly scolded "what decorum is this". At this moment, he just stood quietly in place, looking at two people tightly embracing high in sky, a faint smile on his lips, while deep melancholy silently rose in his heart.

To this day, he naturally had no doubt about Yun Che's sincerity towards Hua Caili. On contrary, during this time, he mostly regretted his past haste and self-righteousness, and sometimes secretly sighed at his daughter's persistence and decisiveness...

Just like her mother.

"Thinking of Qu Wanxin??"

A flat voice sounded in his ear. Hua Fuchen responded somewhat absent-mindedly: "Yes, if back then... hmm?"

He turned his gaze halfway, meeting Meng Kongchan's smiling eyes, and immediately said crossly: "At least Wanxin and I were mutually in love. That person you admired never even glanced at you properly."

"Sigh, sigh, sigh..." Meng Kongchan's smile vanished in an instant: "Why are you still poking people's sore spots. But... Qingying is very close to my Yuan'er. I feel this matter isn't without a turn for better, and hope... is very great."

Hua Fuchen withdrew his gaze and said faintly: "What? You, Dreamless Divine Sovereign, have also learned to dream??"

Meng Kongchan: (＃￣～￣＃)

Hua Fuchen looked up again. High in sky, two figures were still tightly embracing. And clearly, one refusing to let go was his daughter. She seemed to wish she could rub her slender body into Yun Che's, her cheek buried deep in his collar, shoulders slightly trembling, hands around his waist seeming to use all her strength.

As if to make up for all time lost during this period in this one embrace.

He finally couldn't help but speak: "Enough, enough, come down quickly. How long are you two planning to leave us two old things hanging."

Meng Kongchan retorted: "You are an old thing, I am not."

With Divine Sovereign speaking, two finally slowly and sluggishly descended from sky. But Hua Caili still leaned closely against Yun Che, leaning almost her entire body weight on him as if no one else were around, her hands firmly entwined around his arm, refusing to let go even when they came before Hua Fuchen.

"Junior Yun Che..." Yun Che raised his hand wanting to salute, but just as his right arm arched slightly, it was entwined back by Hua Caili. He had to tilt his body to barely complete salute, his expression awkward yet respectful: "Greetings to Huaxin Divine Sovereign. To have you personally welcome me is truly a great honor, and I am deeply uneasy."

"Uncle Meng, hello." Hua Caili was all smiles: "Uncle Meng's complexion is really getting better and better, unlike my Father God, who has been pulling a long face every day lately. Clearly younger than Uncle Meng, yet looks much older."

Meng Kongchan immediately beamed, laughing so much his mouth split wide: "Caili, this girl, is truly becoming more and more likable. Brother Fuchen, I deeply believe most remarkable thing you've done in your life is raising world's number one good daughter."

Hua Fuchen glanced at him and sneered: "And then she falls into your son's hands?"

"Hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan laughed loudly, took a step forward, and a faint silver light was pushed towards Hua Caili: "Caili, this is to make up for meeting gift I owed last time."

"Wow!" Hua Caili took it with a face full of surprise. As profound light faded, it was actually a Dream Face Pill that Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom could only condense one of every dozen years. She saluted respectfully and obediently: "Thank you, Uncle Meng. Such a precious gift... Uncle Meng is so good to me."

"This is nothing." Meng Kongchan waved his hand and said smilingly: "Next time, it will be betrothal gift, guaranteed to be thousand times larger than this, hahahaha!!"

Word "betrothal gift" undoubtedly struck Hua Caili's soul. Her cheeks flushed with faint clouds, and she moved a fraction closer to Yun Che, saying softly: "Everything is for Uncle Meng and Father God to decide."

Hua Fuchen waved his hand helplessly: "Go on. Caili, pay a little attention to your identity as Heaven-Folding Divine Girl, don't be too..."

"I know, Father God!" Hua Caili felt as if she had received a great pardon. Before Hua Fuchen could finish, she already pulled Yun Che away: "Big Brother Yun, come with me quickly."

"Uh... Junior will take his leave for now, and later will come to Senior..."

Before Yun Che could finish his words, he was already pulled into national barrier by Hua Caili, as if there were something she was urgent to complete.

Watching two run away, Hua Fuchen shook his head and said to Meng Kongchan: "That 'betrothal gift' you just mentioned, is it already being prepared?"

Meng Kongchan slightly restrained his smile, half helpless and half sighing: "I'd like to, but..."

Words were not spoken, but both knew clearly. Hua Fuchen said directly: "Brother Meng, tell me... if we truly held a wedding ceremony for two children, how likely is it that Old Dian would come to wreck place?"

"Heh..." Meng Kongchan's mouth moved, smiling melancholically and bitterly: "He will definitely come. Otherwise, he wouldn't be Old Dian."

"Yes, with his temperament, he will definitely come. Just like back then, when he was still Jue Luo Divine Son, to vent anger for me, he didn't hesitate to flip table and curse publicly at former Divine Sovereign's birthday banquet. Afterwards, he would rather be severely punished by his Father God several times over than admit he was wrong."

Two fell silent together. Hua Fuchen spoke again: "Have a few drinks?"

Meng Kongchan said: "How can two drinks be enough? At least drink for three days and nights."

"Heh!" Hua Fuchen laughed: "Let's go!"

Two turned and walked side by side, their sleeves occasionally overlapping and then separating in wind, trailing two long and composed shadows.

Two Great Divine Sovereigns met, yet no one followed, nor was there any ceremony or pomp... just a gathering of two old friends.

"Big Brother Yun, did you miss me?"

Girl leaned her slender body lightly, her eyes curved like new moons, lips carrying a faint soft smile. Her charming voice was so tender it could melt one's soul. If it fell into others' ears, no one would dare believe this came from mouth of Heaven-Folding Divine Girl, who was like a banished immortal from remote heavens.

Yun Che pretended to ponder, his eyes lowered, thinking seriously for a moment: "Hmm... it was alright. I only thought of you for twelve hours a day."

Hua Caili burst into laughter, then suddenly knitted her beautiful brows, lightly pursed her lips, and said in a charmingly cross voice: "Hmph! I heard that you have three maids serving your daily life, each strikingly beautiful, making Abyss Divine Son dote on them day and night. How could you have time to think of me?"

Yun Che hurriedly raised his hand, his expression solemn: "I swear to heaven, they are truly just my personal attendants. I absolutely~~ absolutely did not overstep half a fraction."

"Heehee, that's good then. I knew you definitely wouldn't."

"Uh... believed me so easily? Can't you continue to doubt and pester a bit?"

Hua Caili turned her eyes to gaze at him. Surrounding figures, sword pavilions, and all prosperity blurred. In her beautiful eyes that dimmed world's splendor, only Yun Che's figure could be held: "I won't, because my Big Brother Yun will never lie to me."

"That's not necessarily true." As if not noticing her gaze full of affection, Yun Che looked ahead: "Maybe, I am actually best liar in this world."

Hua Caili tilted her head slightly and giggled: "Then lie to me for a lifetime, and don't you dare run away while lying."

She led Yun Che a long way until they passed through a long corridor pavilion, and her steps finally slowed down.

It was exceptionally quiet here. No sound of sword cries, no light of sword arrays. Even boundless sword intent that filled entire Heaven-Folding Divine Kingdom seemed to have missed this place alone, leaving only tranquility undisturbed by mortal world.

Yun Che looked up, and what met his eyes were groves of green bamboo. In Abyss world, fragile plants like green bamboo were extremely hard to survive, yet here they were so flourishing. Clearly, someone had been carefully nurturing them.

Smile on Hua Caili's face had completely vanished. She said softly: "This is place where Mother sleeps peacefully."

Yun Che: "..."

She took Yun Che's hand, her jade fingers entwining his very tightly, leading him to a tombstone in center of bamboo forest.

—Tomb of Beloved Wife Qu Wanxin—

Tombstone surface was smooth as a mirror, without any complicated decorations, only seven simple words carved on it. Strokes of each word were extremely simple and clean, yet every stroke seemed to have been repeatedly traced countless times by fingertips stained with endless longing.

Hua Caili slowly knelt before tombstone and whispered: "Mother, I've come to see you... together with person I'm about to spend my life with."

Yun Che also quietly knelt with her... only his thoughts uncontrollably rose with unspeakable complexity.

Qu Wanxin, Hua Caili's biological mother. A woman born of a criminal clan, yet who in some way heavily shook entire Heaven-Folding Divine Kingdom.

"Mother, you are Father God's lifelong regret, and also made him extremely afraid of me repeating your fate, arranging most 'stable and correct' betrothed person for me early on. I understand Father God's worry and painstaking efforts... but fortunately, in this one matter alone, I did not follow Father God's arrangement."

"Aunt said that when facing person I like, my temperament is exactly like Mother's. I am very proud and fortunate. Precisely because I was as steadfast and persistent as Mother back then, I can finally stay together with person I like, not repeating Mother's fate back then, and not repeating Father God's regret in this life."

Yun Che slightly lowered his gaze, no longer facing name "Qu Wanxin" on tombstone.

Clear wind passed through bamboo forest, bamboo leaves swaying, casting a pattern of light and shadow on his lowered eyelashes.

Hua Caili grabbed his hand, her beautiful eyes filled with mist, every word from her heart: "Mother, this is Yun Che. He saved my life, protected my safety, and gave me greatest happiness and peace of mind in this life. I have decided to stay with Big Brother Yun for this life, never to part in life or death."

Her gaze suddenly became sincere, her voice exceptionally solemn, as if wanting to carve every word, every character deep into soul sea, into every joint of every green bamboo witnessing everything at this moment:

"Today and at this hour, with sky above and earth below, and Mother before me, I am willing to become husband and wife with Big Brother Yun. From now on, our fates are entwined, and we will depend on each other in life and death. No matter ten thousand blessings or thousand tribulations, we will never abandon each other."

"...!" Yun Che turned his head sharply to look at her: "Caili..."

Hua Caili turned her eyes and smiled sweetly. Deep in her misty eyes, a warm light reflected from her heart seemed to shine with incomparable firmness: "Big Brother Yun, are you willing?"

"I... of course I am willing, but..." Yun Che softened his gaze and voice as much as possible: "Caili. As beautiful as you are, you should have national tribute as betrothal, receive world's grandest wedding ceremony, and get common blessings of all spirits in world. How can I let our union be so hasty."

Hua Caili shook her head gently: "Those things are not important to me at all. I only want to... even earlier, entwine my life tightly with yours."

"Every time I mention it, Father God always pushes it off again and again. I know Father God is not unwilling, but has difficulties in his heart. But I... truly don't want to wait any longer. I always worry, always inexplicably afraid that you will suddenly disappear from my life one day, I..."

She lightly bit her lip, water light in her eyes enough to instantly melt all hardness and evil in world: "Big Brother Yun, are you... willing to become my husband today?"