Everyone waited quietly as the Abyssal Monarch finished his tea, the tension in the room momentarily easing into a hushed calm.
"Liu Xiao, your tea-making skill seems to have improved once again," Mo Su remarked, his tone light yet sincere. "As expected of the Abyss's Number One Chef."
The High Priest inclined his head respectfully, accepting the compliment. "Thank you, your majesty," he replied, his voice steady. Yet, for reasons unknown, his gaze drifted briefly toward the Dreamweaving Kingdom's group. Though subtle, the glance did not go unnoticed before he returned to his seat with an expression that could only be described as faintly… sulky.
"Is it just me, or did the High Priest seem a bit sulky when he was looking our way?" Meng Cangji, seated beside Meng Kongchan, whispered to his lord.
Meng Kongchan furrowed his brows, his expression matching the confusion in his voice. "I… don't know," he replied, genuinely puzzled.
A soft giggle rippled through the quiet from the direction of the Heaven Breaker Kingdom, but it was immediately silenced, as though whoever dared to laugh had realized their mistake and clamped down on their mirth.
The Abyssal Monarch set the empty teacup down gently, the sound barely audible but enough to draw all attention back to him. His gaze swept across the room, lingering on the younger generation with a hint of purpose in his eyes.
"Alright, everyone," Mo Su began, his voice calm yet commanding. "Now that that's out of the way, it's time to discuss the other reason why you are all here."
Everyone immediately tensed up. While the matter of the Eternal Pure Land was something still several decades away, the main reason the young geniuses were gathered here was entirely different. The true highlight of every Pure Land Meeting was about to begin—a competition. A grand contest of strength to showcase the might of each kingdom and its most promising talents.
It was finally here.
Yun Che's mind raced as he thought over the intricate plans he had painstakingly crafted. Yet, no matter how thorough his preparations had been, there was one variable he hadn't accounted for—Xia Qingyue's presence. Her unexpected appearance had thrown everything into disarray, and now he found himself recalculating, adjusting his strategy to accommodate this unforeseen twist.
As his gaze shifted across the hall, it stopped momentarily on the Ancestral Dragon God Clan's section. His heart clenched painfully at what he saw. Among the crowd, sitting quietly at the back, was someone who made his breath hitch—his and Shen Xi's daughter, Yun Xi.
She sat in silence, her figure almost blending into the background. Her face, marred by horrific scars that twisted her once-beautiful features into something others found difficult to look at. Even among her fellow dragons, no one dared to meet her gaze. She was an outcast among her own kind, her presence ignored, her pain unnoticed.
A pang of guilt and sorrow rippled through Yun Che's chest as his fists clenched tightly. His gaze softened, his resolve hardening as he whispered silently to himself, "Wait a little longer, Xi'er. I, your father, will heal those scars. I will do whatever it takes to help you and your mother."
Even as he listened to the Abyssal Monarch's words, Yun Che's mind continued to shift, adapt, and refine his plans. He could not afford to falter—not now, not when so much was at stake.
Deep within his soul, hidden within the Sky Poison Pearl, Li Suo worked tirelessly. Her light flowed like a gentle stream, purifying Yun Che's chaotic thoughts and soothing the turbulence in his heart. Though no one could detect her efforts, she remained steadfast, ensuring Yun Che's mind remained sharp and clear, even as the storm of emotions threatened to overwhelm him.
"It's time for the True Pure Land Meeting to begin," the Abyssal Monarch announced, his voice calm yet carrying a weight that demanded attention. "At every meeting, each Divine Kingdom is given the opportunity to display its might. While we of the Pure Land may be the leaders of all the Kingdoms, we are, at the end of the day, outsiders. For those of you from the Divine Kingdoms, these competitions foster growth, ambition, and opportunity."
His words flowed smoothly, familiar to the Gods and older generation who had participated in such meetings when they were Divine Sons and Daughters themselves. Everything he said so far followed the usual script, as it had for countless past Meetings.
"Just like in the many Meetings before, this one will follow the same structure… but…"
The single word, "but," spoken by the Abyssal Monarch, sent a ripple of unease through the room. The Gods, in particular, felt a sudden tension. They, more than anyone else, understood the significance of such a deviation. Their faces turned serious, brows furrowing in anticipation.
"But?" The unspoken question lingered in everyone's minds, their confusion mirrored in their expressions as they leaned in, waiting for the Monarch to continue.
"This time," the Abyssal Monarch said, his voice steady yet carrying a subtle edge, "your Kingdom's ranking will determine who will enter the passage first forty years from now with your God."
"WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
The hall erupted into chaos. Disbelief, shock, and even horror filled the air as the Monarch's words sank in.
Sending their Gods into the spatial tunnel alongside their younger generations might seem like a logical solution—after all, the Gods could protect the young talents from harm and ensure their safe arrival. But this idea was fraught with a glaring, fatal flaw: who would maintain the World Piercing Formation?
The formation required the collective power of all the Gods to sustain its delicate balance. It was already a monumental task to keep the spatial tunnel stable during its brief moments of existence. If even a single God were to leave their position, the risk of the tunnel collapsing would rise significantly, threatening to consume everyone inside.
The implications were terrifying. For the group that went last—the ones who would be forced to rely on a weakened formation or, worse, a collapsing tunnel—the chances of survival were slim to none. They would almost certainly perish, their lives claimed by the immense gravitational forces and destructive chaos of the unstable spatial passage.
"PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION, YOUR MAJESTY!!!!"
A voice, so powerful that it vibrated throughout the ancient hall, shattered the silence. The intensity of the sound was overwhelming, and the younger generation felt as though their heads were about to explode. If not for the protective power of their respective Gods, some of them might have died outright from the sheer force of the words.
The one who had spoken was none other than the leader of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan. His outburst, though normally considered a breach of decorum, drew no fury from the assembly this time. Everyone understood the desperation behind his words. The Ancestral Dragon God Clan, perpetually at the bottom of the rankings, faced a grim fate. If the new rules held, they would be the last to enter the passage to the Eternal Pure Land—a scenario that seemed tantamount to a death sentence.
Hell, as powerfully as the Ancestral Dragon are, there isn't even a True God among them!
"Please reconsider your decision, your majesty," another voice rang out, calm yet tinged with urgency. It was Hua Fuchen, the Heart Painter Divine Regent. His concern was evident. His daughter, Hua Caili, though exceptionally talented, had only recently entered the Divine Extinction Realm. As brilliant as she was, she would not be able to compete against those with higher cultivation levels.
"Please reconsider your decision, your majesty!" Two more voices echoed through the hall, urgent but measured. This time, it was the Moon Divine Regent and the Star Divine Regent. They refrained from using their profound powers to project their voices, yet their words carried enough weight to resonate throughout the chamber.
Their concern was valid. Both of their Divine Sons had only recently broken through to the fourth level of the Divine Extinction Realm. While their combined strength might be enough to fight against those at the fifth level of Divine Extinction, individually, their power was far less impressive. Their divine arts required them to fight side by side to maximize their potential. If forced to compete individually, their strength would barely match that of a newly advanced level four Divine Extinction cultivator.
The Moon and Star Divine Regents knew the stakes. Their Divine Sons, no matter how gifted, might not even be able to stand against the Divine Son of the Owl Butterfly Kingdom or other kingdom, who was also at the same level. The implications of the Abyssal Monarch's declaration were devastating for their kingdoms, their young talents, and the futures they represented.
The hall was charged with tension. The pleas of the Divine Regents, filled with desperation and sincerity, reverberated through the space as all eyes turned once more to the Abyssal Monarch, waiting for his response.
One by one, the Divine Regents voiced their concerns, their words a mixture of urgency and desperation as they attempted to appeal to the Abyssal Monarch. Yet amidst the flurry of protests and pleas, Shenwu Yanye, the Lightless Divine Regent, remained silent. She sat in unshaken composure, her gaze cold and distant. To her, these men's struggles held no significance—none of it was worth her attention.
In the end, even the Boundless Divine Regent, Dian Rahu, stepped forward to speak. His voice, steady yet respectful, carried through the tense atmosphere.
"Your Majesty, although we of the Boundless Divine Kingdom will greatly benefit from your arrangement, we feel that this is highly inappropriate."
"Tskk" A soft yet clear disdain was heard from certain direction.
After he finished, Dian Rahu's gaze shifted toward the group representing the Heaven Breaker Kingdom. His intention was clear—his words, though spoken for all, carried a personal undertone. Among the Heaven Breaker group was Hua Caili, the Divine Daughter who was likely to become his future daughter-in-law. His concerns extended not just to his kingdom's prosperity but to his family's future as well. Protecting his son's future, his kingdom's legacy, and their ties to the Heaven Breaker Kingdom mattered above all else.
Dian Rahu's gesture and goodwill were unmistakable, visible to everyone present. His words, while carefully crafted, conveyed a deeper message: even those who stood to gain the most from the Monarch's decision were not without hesitation, considering the far-reaching consequences of the arrangement.
Yun Che watched silently as the Divine Regents and others voiced their opinions one after another. Perhaps it was because of his time in the Abyss, where constant scheming had sharpened his mind, that he saw the situation more clearly than most. To him, this was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated feint by the Abyssal Monarch—a deliberate move to test the waters and elicit reactions from everyone present.
"Alright, I hear you all," the Abyssal Monarch finally said, his voice calm and composed. With a casual wave of his hand, the overwhelming pressure in the room shifted, and everyone was instantly seated once more. The abruptness of the gesture was enough to silence even the most outspoken individuals.
"Since everyone seems to believe that my initial arrangement is inappropriate," the Abyssal Monarch continued, his lips curling into a faint smile, "then how about this…"
The tension in the hall thickened, every gaze locked on him, awaiting his next words.
"All the Gods will remain behind," he said, his tone light yet carrying the weight of finality. "Only the people you choose—your younger generation—will enter the passage first. Then, at the next passage opening, a century from now, the Kingdom's Gods shall follow."
The words were spoken with such ease, yet the implications landed like a thunderclap. His smile lingered as his gaze swept across the room, observing the ripple of reactions. For a moment, the hall was filled with stunned silence as the meaning of his declaration sank in.
Yun Che's eyes narrowed as he processed the Abyssal Monarch's new proposal. The Monarch's smile wasn't one of concession—it was the smile of someone in complete control, someone who had already anticipated every response and played his hand accordingly. To Yun Che, it was clear: this was no compromise, but a masterstroke of manipulation. Especially the term Kingdom's Gods, there are deeper meaning to that.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sending the younger generation first would mean that the Gods would have to remain in the Abyss for another fifty years after the next passage opened. To the Gods, a century was but a fleeting moment, yet none among them were fools. They had long sensed the truth that none dared to openly speak: the Time Wheel of the Abyss was spiraling out of control, and the collapse of their world was drawing closer with every passing year.
Sending the younger ones ahead would ensure the safety of the next generation, their future, their legacy. But what about the Gods themselves? What about their survival? The unspoken question echoed in every heart: Who among them wanted to be left behind to die?
The urge to object surged through them like a tidal wave. Their mouths opened, and their auras rippled with protest. Yet, before any of them could voice their dissent, an invisible force rooted their bodies to the floor. The weight of the Abyssal Monarch's will bore down upon them like a mountain. He had yielded to their pleas once—he would not do so again.
The Gods froze in stunned silence, their defiance snuffed out before it could take form. The Abyssal Monarch's intentions were clear: this was not merely a decree but an act of grace. By ensuring the younger generation's escape to the Eternal Pure Land, he was offering them a chance at a future. Any protest would not only defy him but would also make them seem selfish and short-sighted, prioritizing their own lives over their Kingdoms' legacies.
"Then we will agree to your arrangement, Your Majesty," one of the Gods finally said, their voice tinged with resignation.
One by one, the others echoed the sentiment, each word carrying the weight of their reluctant acceptance. The reality of their predicament settled heavily in the air, like an unspoken pact.
"Father...?" Hua Caili's soft voice broke the tense silence as she noticed the pallor on her father's face. The meaning behind the Abyssal Monarch's words escaped her, and seeing her father's uncharacteristic unease left her confused. She turned to her aunt for answers, her gaze filled with uncertainty.
Beside her, Sword Fairy Hua Qingying shook her head slightly, her expression calm but her eyes heavy with unspoken thoughts. It was clear she understood, but whatever knowledge she possessed, she chose not to share—at least, not here.
Before Hua Caili could press further, the voice of the Chief Priest cut through the air, redirecting everyone's attention. "Still, with the limited time the passage remains open, we should limit the number of people allowed to enter. This would ensure all Kingdoms have an opportunity to send their young ones, Your Majesty."
The hall fell into silence once more as all eyes turned toward the Abyssal Monarch, their attention fully drawn to him. The Chief Priest's suggestion, though reasonable, carried immense implications, and everyone waited with bated breath for the Monarch's response.
"You're right," the Abyssal Monarch said after a moment, his voice calm but resolute. "That is why I am planning to propose that, based on the rankings of this meeting, each Kingdom will be allocated a different number of spots to enter the Eternal Pure Land passage."
His words settled over the hall like a storm cloud. What had already been a competition to showcase strength and prestige had now escalated into something far greater. The rankings of this meeting would no longer just determine honor—they would directly dictate the futures of their Kingdoms and their younger generations.
The Monarch's words immediately made everyone tense, the weight of his declaration pressing down on the hall like an invisible force. Yet, despite their unease, there was a collective sense of relief. This new arrangement, while still daunting, was far more acceptable than the original proposition.
"How shall that be done, Your Majesty?" several of the Divine Regents asked in unison, their voices laced with urgency and curiosity.
The Abyssal Monarch's gaze swept across the hall, his expression calm and authoritative. "Every time the passage is opened," he began, his voice steady, "we have sent in around fifty teams of Abyssal Knights, each accompanied by their squires. Each team typically consists of one knight and five squires, making it a total of approximately three hundred individuals entering before the power of the spatial artifact is fully exhausted."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone, already on edge, felt their hearts lurch as though they might leap out of their chests. The tension in the hall grew so thick it was suffocating.
"If all the Gods, the Priests, and I myself go all out, we may be able to open the passage long enough for five hundred people to enter," the Abyssal Monarch declared, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable finality.
His words sent a wave of horror rippling through the room. Five hundred people. The number echoed in their minds like a cruel joke. In a gathering of Divine Kingdoms, each with countless young talents and elites vying for supremacy, five hundred was nothing. The realization sank in, heavier than any of them could bear.
For some, the absurdity was even more pronounced. Among those gathered were individuals who had more concubines than the leaves on a tree, much less a mere five hundred spots to be divided among all the Kingdoms. The sheer scarcity of opportunities was like a blade twisting in their hearts.
A heavy silence enveloped the hall, broken only by the sound of faint, uneven breaths. The weight of the Abyssal Monarch's words pressed down on everyone like a mountain, the true cost of the competition becoming painfully clear. This was no longer about pride or prestige—this was about survival, about ensuring their Kingdoms' futures.
"Then we'll proceed as follows," the Abyssal Monarch declared, his tone sharp and unyielding. This time, the faint smile he had worn earlier was gone, replaced by an expression of solemn gravity.
"The first-place Kingdom will receive 125 spots. Second place shall take 100, third place 75, and the rest will be allocated 50 each."
His seriousness left no room for argument. The weight of his words pressed down on the room like an unrelenting tide, silencing any objections before they could form. Everyone could feel their hearts tighten as the reality of the distribution settled in. Their auras rippled with barely restrained emotion—chaotic and volatile.
The Abyssal Monarch had already given them enough. It was now up to the younger generation to seize the opportunities laid before them. For their Kingdoms to claim a significant portion of the precious spots, their Divine Sons and Daughters would have to prove themselves worthy. There was no other way.
"The rules of the True Pure Land Meeting will remain unchanged," the Monarch continued, his gaze sweeping over the gathered assembly. "But the stakes this time are worlds apart. I hope you are all prepared."
The finality of his words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
"We will gather again three days from now. Choose your representatives carefully. Each Kingdom and the Dragon Clan is limited to ten representatives. Do not waste this opportunity."
"You may leave!" The Abyssal Monarch's commanding voice echoed through the hall, signaling the end of the gathering. He raised his hand, preparing to send everyone away when suddenly a voice called out.
"Your Majesty! I have something to discuss with you!"
The voice belonged to the Heart Painter Divine Regent, Hua Fuchen. Immediately, before the Monarch could respond, another voice rang out.
"I too have a matter to discuss with Your Majesty!" It was the Dreamless Divine Regent, Meng Kongchan.
"Oh?" Mo Su's expression shifted slightly, surprise flickering across his usually composed face. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Anyone else?"
The hall remained silent, no other voices joining the requests. Mo Su nodded faintly, once again preparing to dismiss the assembly, when the two Divine Regents who had spoken earlier called out in unison.
"Boundless Divine Regent, please stay, as well as Nephew Jiuzhi!"
The simultaneous request drew a ripple of curiosity through the room. All eyes turned toward the two Regents, their gazes filled with intrigue. The unusual specificity of their request left everyone wondering what matters were so urgent—and why they required such a small, select group.
"Is that everyone?" the Abyssal Monarch asked, his tone calm but edged with faint curiosity.
Meng Kongchan stepped forward, his voice steady. "My son, Meng Jianyuan, and Brother Fuchen's daughter, Caili, shall stay as well. That is everyone."
The Abyssal Monarch turned his gaze toward Hua Fuchen, seeking confirmation. The Heart Painter Divine Regent nodded, his expression serious.
"Very well," Mo Su said, his tone carrying an air of finality. "The rest of you—I will see you three days from now."
With a casual wave of his hand, the Abyssal Monarch invoked his power. Whether or not the remaining participants wanted to stay, they had no choice. In an instant, they were teleported away, leaving behind only the three Divine Regents, their sons and daughter, the four High Priests, and the Abyssal Monarch himself in the vast, ancient hall.