Yun Che and Hua Caili accompanied Meng Kongchan far beyond Heavenly Breaker Divine Kingdom's borders.

"Let us stop here."

Meng Kongchan turned, smiling gently at pair of lovers before him. Throughout journey, Hua Caili had clung tightly to Yun Che's arm, seemingly unwilling to part for even a moment, her lips never losing their soft smile. He observed with eyes, felt with heart, and was naturally greatly comforted.

"Yuaner, after Father visits Senluo, I shall return to Dream Weaving. You and Caili may enjoy yourselves freely, with no need to worry about anyone or anything. If anything truly important arises, Father will transmit voice to you."

Yun Che gently nodded, his face carrying apology:

"Senior, all these grievances arose because of us. This time... we have troubled you greatly."

"Hahahaha!" Upon hearing this, Meng Kongchan immediately let out a rather relaxed and hearty laugh:

"Between father and son, what talk is there of troubling? That you two have this time is all earned by your own efforts. Rather, it is we elders whose past grievances have entangled you, especially your father-in-law... forget it, let us not speak of him."

He turned, stepping onto his Profound Vessel, his tone resolute:

"If this journey proceeds smoothly, within ten years I shall make up for your wedding ceremony. If not, it shall likely be delayed until after stepping onto Eternal Pure Land. Though later, yet with new world and new people, it would still be quite a beautiful matter."

"But regardless, Father promises you both, your wedding ceremony shall absolutely be unprecedented and earth-shattering in grandeur, hahahaha!"

Profound Vessel rose, carrying Dreamless Divine Sovereign's laughter swiftly into distance.

No one perceived that in instant Profound Vessel ascended, a faint yet profound demonic light flashed through Yun Che's eyes.

Second subtle hint was silently imprinted upon Meng Kongchan's soul sea as he laughed, his spirit most relaxed.

"What is this second hint?" Li Suo asked timely.

Yun Che took Hua Caili's hand, their fingers intertwining, leisurely walking back toward Heavenly Breaker Divine Kingdom, while also responding to Li Suo:

"Do you still remember, there was a period when I concentrated on reviewing information about Dian Luohu, Hua Fuchen, and Meng Kongchan before they became Divine Sovereigns, especially their youthful emotional entanglements? Wherever involved, not a single detail was overlooked."

"I did not expend so much time on this without purpose."

He gazed ahead, his eyes profound, his calm voice carrying undeniable certainty:

"Even best friendships will have moments of conflict and contradiction. But brotherhood between men never fears momentary conflict and anger, rather resolves through their respective methods, often strengthening rather than damaging the bond."

"According to Xuanji Hall's records, among Dian Luohu, Hua Fuchen, and Meng Kongchan, Hua Fuchen possessed greatest Profound Dao talent, yet in strength Dian Luohu was always strongest. This undoubtedly marks him as a Profound Dao fanatic, otherwise he would not have become leader of Six Divine Kingdoms' Seven Divine Sovereigns."

"Combined with his temperament, his preferred method for resolving conflicts becomes obvious."

Yun Che's words were sufficient for Li Suo to understand:

"You mean Dian Luohu should prefer... resolving through battle? Or using battle to end grudges?"

"Correct." Yun Che said:

"Xuanji Hall's records completely align with this. So..."

"If Hua Fuchen, harboring guilt, proactively suggests method most suitable for Dian Luohu to resolve their grievance, it should be quite reasonable, yes?"

Thus Li Suo understood, yet deeper confusion arose:

"So this is second hint you imprinted upon Meng Kongchan's soul sea just now? But what significance lies in this? They are both Divine Sovereigns after all, and setting aside Pure Land's strict prohibition on Divine Sovereign battles between Divine Kingdoms, even if truly as you wish they choose to resolve through battle, what then?"

"If they resolve their grievance after such battle, would it not contradict your original intent?"

Yun Che did not answer directly, but slowly said:

"Divine Kingdoms indeed cannot have Divine Sovereign battles, and even sparring can only occur on Pure Land. But there is one place Pure Land cannot reach or interfere with..."

"Mist Sea!"

Pure Land's prohibition indeed could not extend to Mist Sea, but conflict between Dian Luohu and Hua Fuchen was merely air-grudge, not mortal enmity. Li Suo could not imagine what two Divine Sovereigns truly battling in Mist Sea could accomplish, but Yun Che seemed unwilling to elaborate, so she did not ask further.

Yun Che continued:

"After Meng Kongchan leaves Senluo, it shall be time for final hint."

Li Suo raised another question:

"Leave Senluo? To imprint hint, you must be near Meng Kongchan. After he leaves Senluo he shall return to Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom. What opportunity shall you have to imprint final hint?"

"He will return to Heavenly Breaker." Yun Che's tone lowered slightly. After brief pause, he spoke truthfully:

"If he returns to Heavenly Breaker, it proves all proceeded as I wished. But if he does not return and goes directly back to Dream Weaving, it means... I have failed."

"If you fail, what then?" Li Suo asked:

"Then must you choose alternative methods?"

Yun Che's answer was flat yet cruel:

"Failure is failure, there is no alternative 'method' to choose."

"..." Completely unexpected answer left Li Suo briefly silent.

Though speaking of possible "failure," Yun Che's voice remained calm as before:

"I am but one person, facing Pure Land and all Divine Kingdoms, with merely forty-some years of time. Each step can only be gambled without restraint, and each such gamble stakes all possibilities. From beginning to end, there has never existed words like 'certainty' or 'assurance.'"

"Ability to interfere with Meng Kongchan's cognition and soul relies on Nirvana Demonic Soul crushing true gods through level suppression. If this path fails, there exists no comparable means afterward. All prior and subsequent efforts shall be lost entirely."

"Therefore, for these three critically important and sole suggestive hints, during my years in Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom, I reviewed nearly all information about Dian Luohu, Meng Kongchan, and Hua Fuchen. Three hints were derived after countless considerations of their habits, temperaments, preferences, and bond depths, and countless deductions."

"Human effort exhausted, remainder depends on fate."

"Fortunately, these years in Abyss, all has proceeded smoothly. This time, fate's hope... fate shall surely stand with us."

"Father God!"

Hua Caili's clear call interrupted exchange between Yun Che and Li Suo. Ahead, Hua Fuchen gazed toward them, clearly seeing off Meng Kongchan. His posture stood straight, yet his dark Divine Robes fluttered in wind, clearly his heart was far from surface calm elegance.

"Father-in-law." Yun Che stepped forward respectfully:

"That Senior personally visits Senluo this time, surely even if unable to resolve matters, can at least somewhat calm Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign's anger. Please Father-in-law need not worry or be troubled."

Yet Hua Fuchen raised his hand:

"I understand your intent. You and Caili are mutually pleased and at peace, which is best. Our elders' matters need not concern you, nor warrant guilt."

As he spoke, his gaze seemed inadvertently to glance at sash at Yun Che's waist, lightly sneering:

"This sash, crude workmanship aside, Auspicious Jade Silk is precious yet lacks Profound Essence, truly vulgar and tasteless."

Finished speaking, before Hua Caili could react, he had already turned away, striding off.

Hua Caili lightly stamped her foot, half reproachful, half coy:

"Father is deliberately mocking me? And seems oddly displeased."

Yun Che gazed down at her, seeming to smile yet not:

"Have you never gifted your father something made by his own hands?"

"No." Hua Caili naturally shook her head:

"I only learned how to draw threads recently from Lianzhi, and can barely manage simplest sash. Ah..."

She finally realized something, her beautiful eyes widening slightly:

"Husband, you mean Father's strange behavior just now was because... was..."

Yun Che reached out, gently stroking her hair, smiling:

"Your father risked kneeling on Pure Land to save your life, through ten thousand years repeatedly sacrificing himself, raising you to this age without ever letting you touch mundane worldly trivialities. Yet you, for another man, with hands most precious in world, wove him sash. If your father did not begrudge this, that would be strange."

"..." Hua Caili opened her mouth, and after realization came swift guilt. She bit her lip, quickly making decision, urgently pulling Yun Che's hand toward sleeping palace:

"Husband, let us not go to Yaoguang Sword Pavilion today. Let us together make Father a gift. I still have much Auspicious Heart Silk remaining."

"Then what do you prepare to make for Father-in-law?"

"A sash of course... because I can only make this now, other things I can learn slowly later."

"..."

Stepping into kingdom borders, suspended sword radiance cast faint jade light upon their forms, like maiden's heart at this moment... pure and flawless.

Senluo Divine Kingdom.

"Senluo myriad phenomena, all martial arts perfected." These eight characters were core interpretation of Abyss's strongest Divine Kingdom.

This was nation where all were Profound Dao fanatics and battle maniacs, where strength symbolized everything. Entire Divine Kingdom's aura was undoubtedly most heavy and oppressive among six Divine Kingdoms. Merely walking through it, weaklings would find steps difficult, breathing labored.

Meng Kongchan slowly descended before Senluo Divine Kingdom's borders. He released no true god aura, yet terrified guards instantly knelt.

"Respectfully... respectfully welcome Dreamless Divine Sovereign!"

Conflict between Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign and Dreamless Divine Sovereign on Pure Land was known throughout Abyss, yet facing Divine Sovereign's personal arrival, Senluo guards dared not show slightest disrespect.

Formerly, when Meng Kongchan came here, he would directly enter without notification, none daring to obstruct. But this time, he halted before borders, his eyes calm and waveless, carrying no majesty:

"Please inform Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign, Meng Kongchan comes to visit."

Upon "please" being spoken, all Senluo guards' breaths suddenly stilled. After long while they barely recovered, then hurriedly responded, rushing away.

Soon guards returned hastily. Facing Meng Kongchan, they bowed deeply, not daring raise heads, their voice carrying obvious trembling:

"Divine Sovereign says... please... please... Dreamless Divine Sovereign... leave at once."

Having spoken these words, Senluo guards completely held breath, even prepared for Dreamless Divine Sovereign's wrath to annihilate them.

Yet surrounding aura showed no change, not even true god's spiritual pressure or ripples of anger stirred. Only extremely light sigh sounded.

"It seems Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign is in great fury, unwilling to meet. Thus, this Sovereign shall wait until his anger subsides."

Meng Kongchan did not leave, simply standing in place, slightly raising head, gazing at Senluo Divine Kingdom's sky flowing with myriad phenomena's Profound Essence.

Recalling each past visit, Dian Luohu would personally greet him, laughter shaking heaven, every whisker trembling with joy of old friends reuniting. Even after becoming Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign this never changed.

Yet now, only cold word "leave."

He knew himself not wronged, more had no right to resent.

Beyond borders without barrier obstruction, Abyss dust floated, chaotic winds raged, sand whirled carrying Abyss world's grey ash striking Dreamless Divine Sovereign's face. He neither retreated nor blocked, and his silver robes and jade-like countenance symbolizing supreme status soon became tainted.

He seemed utterly unaware, remaining motionless gazing toward Senluo Divine Kingdom's direction, yearning for that figure who always emerged laughing in past.

One day passed...

Two days passed...

Three days passed...

He still had not left, had not moved, allowing ever-thickening Abyss world's filthy grey dust to whiten his silver robes, also eroding his Dreamless Divine Sovereign's supreme dignity.

Countless Senluo cultivators came and went. They witnessed all this, their hearts filled with shock and disbelief. None dared approach, none dared ask, none even dared believe this person willingly sinking himself into dust before Senluo's borders was Dreamless Divine Sovereign standing atop Abyss world.

For Meng Kongchan, few in this world could make him willingly debase his dignity... and among them, Dian Luohu was certainly included.

Dian Luohu, not Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign.

Meng Kongchan, Hua Fuchen, Dian Luohu... what these three had treasured from beginning to end was never so-called Divine Kingdom friendship, but brotherhood deeply forged since youth. Though passing through ten thousand years, vicissitudes, changes in status, it had never been tainted by any impurity.

Four days... six days...

Seven days...

He still stood silently there, silver robes stained grey, jade face covered in dust, only his eyes still gazing toward place where old friends once greeted in past.

Seven days of time sufficient to spread this matter throughout entire Abyss. As Divine Sovereign of Divine Kingdom, one's person and dignity no longer belonged to self, but symbolized dignity borne by Divine Kingdom. Occasionally Divine Sovereigns are passively stripped of dignity, like Dian Luohu on Pure Land, but such self-debasement... at least in this era, only Meng Kongchan.

Yet full seven days, he still showed not slightest retreat.

And discerning ones could clearly see he was using this self-debasement to compensate and restore Dian Luohu's dignity lost on Pure Land.

Finally, thunderous roar echoed across sky.

"Meng Kongchan! I told you to leave, can't you understand human speech!"

Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign's roar was terrifying beyond measure. Guards instantly saw black, ears deafened, nearly fainting to ground.

Yet facing this cold and furious harsh words, Meng Kongchan faintly smiled. He gazed toward figure finally appearing in distant sky, slowly saying:

"Brother Luohu, though only months since last meeting, seems already thousand autumns have passed. Fortunately..."

"Shut up!"

Boom!

Dian Luohu fell from sky, carrying aura like heaven collapsing. He glared at Meng Kongchan with angry eyes, depths showing not slightest trace of past friendship:

"'Brother Luohu' - are you worthy to call me that! Leave this place at once, do not linger here like dog, defiling Senluo's soil!"

Dian Luohu's words were utterly vicious. Perhaps he never imagined day would come when such harsh words would be directed at his most important intimate friend.

Facing Dian Luohu's angry gaze, Meng Kongchan sighed lightly, then faintly smiled:

"Brother Luohu, being scolded by you like this, I finally feel somewhat at ease."

"Stop your false affection!"

Dian Luohu pointed at Meng Kongchan, eyes like fire, long beard angrily raised:

"Leave! Leave at once! On Pure Land, you and I have severed bonds and broken righteousness! If you do not leave, do not blame me for driving you away by force!"

Meng Kongchan's eyelids lowered slightly. Facing Dian Luohu's fully released divine might, he restrained his own aura completely:

"When younger brother errs, elder brother's punishment is deserved. But please grant younger brother chance for repentance and compensation. Do not lightly speak 'severed bonds and broken righteousness.'"

His voice was light as wind, presenting stark contrast with Dian Luohu's angry tone.

In mere few words were carried guilt, pain, sorrow... every character, every emotion should never appear in Divine Sovereign. His form of address was especially something never appearing between Divine Sovereigns - "elder brother."

Dian Luohu's angrily raised long beard froze for instant.

He raised hand again pointing at Meng Kongchan, but as fingertip trembled, harsh insults already surging to throat could not emerge for long time.

When young, all three were Divine Kingdom princes, all prideful. Dian Luohu was oldest in age, but Meng Kongchan and Hua Fuchen never willingly called him "elder brother." Rare few times, also compromises under wagers, each time drawing Dian Luohu's wild laughter for long while.

"Heh, hehehe..." Dian Luohu laughed, within laughter uncertain whether more mockery or self-mockery:

"Those who betrayed righteousness and publicly humiliated me were you. Now, what face have you to invoke brotherhood!"

Upon words ending, not waiting for Meng Kongchan's response, his voice suddenly sharpened:

"Meng Kongchan, I ask you! When you learned of Yun Che and Hua Caili's affair, did you consider brotherhood and immediately stop them!"

Facing Dian Luohu's gaze directly, Meng Kongchan sighed lightly, admitting with guilt:

"No."

"Initially, upon hearing Caili had someone in her heart, I felt aversion toward that man. Later, I was shocked to discover it was Yuaner whom I lost for hundred years. My entire being sank into endless reverie and wild joy."

Whether then or now, Meng Kongchan's emotions were too complex, even he found it hard to truly articulate clearly:

"Toward Yuaner, I hold not only father-son affection, but also heavy debt. After loss and recovery, I wished to spare no effort compensating him, wishing to give him all best things in world. That he and Caili mutually protected and devoted their hearts, my first reaction was joy, even some pride..."

He slowly closed eyes, seeming ashamed to face Dian Luohu's gaze:

"I know this thought was selfish and base, failing our ten thousand years of friendship. But then and even now, whenever matters concerning Yuaner arise, in my heart they always supersede all else... Even as Dreamless Divine Sovereign, I cannot restrain myself."

Dian Luohu's heroic eyes half-narrowed. Facing Meng Kongchan's answer, he showed neither angry rebuke nor mockery, simply staring straight at him, letting him continue.

"When Fuchen learned, he furiously tried to stop them. But then discovered the two had already consummated marriage, and even so, he did not retreat. What truly forced his compromise was Caili's unwavering determination... I believe at that moment, he must have remembered Qu Wanxin."

Dian Luohu's brow corners twitched slightly... this name from back then had pierced all three of them deeply.

Meng Kongchan continued:

"We feared harming our friendship, and your dignity as Absolute Luo Divine Sovereign. What was more difficult was that Abyss Emperor's personally granted marriage contract. So we dared not act rashly, instead agreeing to jointly face Abyss Emperor at Pure Land gathering..."

"Then after resolving most difficult marriage contract, find so-called most opportune moment to confess to me, letting me deal with it as I wish, yes!" Dian Luohu suddenly interrupted, each word cold and hard.

Meng Kongchan opened eyes, lightly responding:

"Yes."

"Heh!" Dian Luohu coldly laughed, his gaze suddenly sinking, finger pointing directly at Meng Kongchan's brow:

"Meng Kongchan, listen well!! I Dian Luohu, in all my actions, have always been straightforward and honest, bright and open, without shame to self, without shame to others!"

"World says my nature is fierce as fire, prone to anger and impatience. But after my fury, I have always been able to pick up and put down, never shamefully forcing! Had you then spoken truthfully to me directly, I would surely rage to sky's peak... but, at most seven days, I would accompany you all to Pure Land to jointly see Abyss Emperor, fulfilling your pair of children!"

"It was you who belittled me Dian Luohu, more belittled our ten thousand years of friendship! And directly turned this matter into shame my son Jiuzhi and I can never wash away in lifetime!!"

Meng Kongchan slightly raised head, sighing:

"Elder brother's teaching is correct. Elder brother's words, I have not slightest doubt. Only... Fuchen was too afraid."

Dian Luohu: "...?"

"For us, what is male-female affection? Elder brother, do you still remember when young, we made grand wager to see who could first gain Qingying's favor, even vying to prove sincerity to Fuchen, swearing our hearts toward Qingying would never change in lifetime... but later, we each lost heart, each married, each took multiple wives, and 'Qingying' gradually faded from mind, leaving only some regret from unfulfilled youth."

"But Fuchen... for full ten thousand years, has still not moved past it."

Dian Luohu's gaze froze for instant.

"We two can clearly perceive that from that time onward, his temperament completely changed. No longer that youthful defiance against heaven, disdaining fate's boldness, but becoming 'Painting Heart' as Divine Name, becoming stable and reserved, thinking thrice before acting. Especially..."

"In matters he most cares about, becoming exceptionally cautious. Like Caili, like intimate friends he treasures."

These words Meng Kongchan had never told Hua Fuchen, nor would he, nor would use as persuasion. Because he clearly understood, with Hua Fuchen's temperament, likely in this lifetime he could never truly erase scar in soul's depths from Qu Wanxin.

"He feared Caili experiencing emotional suffering, hastily arranged what he deemed most perfect marriage, letting her never enter emotional entanglement in lifetime. He feared damaging your friendship, dared not speak directly, instead in repeated attempts and thinking, seeking perhaps non-existent perfect strategy..."

"Elder brother, Fuchen never belittled your friendship. Contrarily, he treasured it excessively, and having been deeply wounded by emotion, scars yet unhealed, thus stepped cautiously, stepped fearfully... yet never expected to create such consequence. It is we two who implicated you in heartache and humiliation, and Fuchen's pain and torment in heart surely no less than yours."

Meng Kongchan slowly stepped forward half step:

"Our great error is already cast, harm to elder brother extremely deep and heavy. Even ten times the reasons or hardships cannot excuse ourselves, much less presume to ask elder brother's forgiveness."

"Only, remaining lifetime is long. Without elder brother's friendship, each day loses color. Divine Name though important, without elder brother's companionship, merely extends empty desolation. Still please elder brother, mindful of past friendship, after anger subsides, grant us some chance for confession and compensation. At least, speak no more 'severed bonds and broken righteousness.'"

Wind swept past, stirring sky-filling sand and dust. Then all sounds ceased. Between heaven and earth, seemed only these two existed.

Finally, Dian Luohu slowly spoke, each word ice-cold:

"Where is Hua Fuchen?? Why has he not come? Is he afraid!"

"Yes." Meng Kongchan admitted frankly for Hua Fuchen:

"He fears if we two come side by side, would further enrage elder brother, fears even this meeting opportunity would not be granted. So he more hopes to meet elder brother alone..."

Speaking thus, Meng Kongchan's palm raised, within palm lay sword tassel made of Abyss bone.

"He invites you... two months hence, to Mist Sea's thirty-third domain."

Mist Sea, thirty-third domain - place where Dian Luohu first alone slew divine-annihilation Abyss beast back then, also their agreed place for resolving grievances... back then, no matter how great disputes and discord, after one battle, all dissolved, never carrying grudge to next day.

Only after each became Divine Sovereign of Divine Kingdom, there they had not set foot for far too long.

Within Dian Luohu's pupils, finally appeared unavoidable instant of stirring.

He slanted eyes, coldly sneering:

"That crude thing carelessly shaped back then, truly fortunate he kept it till now."

Meng Kongchan sincerely said:

"Elder brother's first solo slaying of divine-annihilation Abyss beast was never elder brother's alone glory, but our three's radiance. Such engraved object personally made by elder brother, how could Fuchen not carefully treasure it."

Hiss!

That sword tassel was seized by Dian Luohu's hand. At same moment, his other hand swung out, object of pale gold fell into Meng Kongchan's hand - clearly half-broken sword scabbard snapped by external force.

Gazing at this half scabbard of pale gold, distant memories surfaced in Meng Kongchan's heart sea. Dian Luohu's low voice also sounded at his ear:

"Go tell Hua Fuchen, this battle, I accept!"

He turned away, no longer looking at Meng Kongchan:

"Your words are finished, Hua Fuchen's things delivered. Now, you can leave!"

Gazing at his retreating figure for several breaths, Meng Kongchan did not insist. He gently nodded:

"Elder brother, take care."

Finished speaking, he turned away, slowly departing.

"Wait!!"

Dian Luohu's voice suddenly rose, instantly halting Meng Kongchan's steps.

Dian Luohu's brows tightly knitted, each word shaking ears:

"Your Dream Weaving's Meng Jianxi, also that Yun Che kid, with Divine Master status completely defeated Sanzhi, facing Abyss Emperor with junior's bearing neither servile nor overbearing, with eight-foot mortal body personally resisted double Devouring Punishment, Six Laugh and Ling Xian Divine Officials pleaded for him, Great Divine Official was moved by him, Abyss Emperor summoned him for private audience..."

"In comparison, that perfect Divine Soul is most unworthy mention. Truly is... quite good."

"Quite good" three characters spoken rather slowly, yet carrying not slightest mockery.

"Caili moving her heart to him, truly is his ability. Old me furious about it, also admiring it! But humiliation he brought to me and my son Jiuzhi, absolutely cannot be easily cancelled!"

His fury was genuine, admiration also genuine.

Voice paused slightly, then suddenly sharpened several times:

"Two months hence, let that kid personally come to apologize!"

Meng Kongchan did not turn back, but within eyes already appeared some moisture. After long while, lightly responded one word:

"Good..."

Single word, faintly trembling.

Almost simultaneously, two figures with backs turned could not help but faintly smile. Something most heavy, most ice-cold piercing heart, also silently dissolved within this faint smile.

But next instant, Dian Luohu faced guards' forced-calm expressions, instantly cold-eyed, heavily snorted, striding away.