"This is the Eternal Pure Garden... Within it blooms the rare and beautiful flowers that have never been tainted by the Abyss Dust," Meng Jianxi explained, his voice filled with a reverence that matched the pristine beauty of their surroundings.
"And over there... that's the Moonlit Crystal Spring," Meng Jianze added, gesturing toward a shimmering pool that reflected the soft glow of the Pure Land's ethereal light.
One after another, the two brothers seamlessly took turns introducing the various wonders of the Pure Land to Yun Che. Their enthusiasm was genuine, their pride in the untainted beauty of their world evident in every word they spoke. Yun Che, in turn, listened attentively, his expression filled with curiosity as he nodded and asked occasional questions, showing interest in everything they pointed out.
Yet deep down, Yun Che couldn't help but suppress a wry smile. Caili had already shown him all of this—and far more. Every corner of the Pure Land that Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianze so eagerly introduced had already been etched into his memory, thanks to her.
Still, Yun Che didn't have the heart to tell them. Their pride in their world, their efforts to guide him, and their determination to make up for past mistakes were all too apparent. It wasn't something he could dismiss lightly.
As they continued their tour, Yun Che glanced around, marveling at the untainted splendor of the Pure Land. Ordinary as these sights might have been in a world free from Abyss Dust, here, they were treasures. A simple flower untouched by the corruption of Abyss Dust radiated a heavenly aura. A small stream flowing with pure water sparkled like liquid gemstones. Even the air felt lighter, freer—completely unlike the suffocating miasma of the Abyss outside this haven.
Amidst the sea of wildflowers swaying gently under the ethereal light of the Pure Land, Yun Che and the two Meng brothers halted their steps. The vibrant colors of the flowers painted the landscape in a breathtaking array, yet Yun Che's heart skipped a beat for a very different reason. In the distance, amidst the blooms, a solitary figure stood.
Yun Che's breath caught. His chest tightened painfully as his gaze locked onto her. It was her—his daughter. The daughter he could not call out to, the one he could not reach.
"That's the scarred-face dragon girl," Meng Jianxi remarked casually, breaking Yun Che's trance-like state. His voice carried no malice, merely stating a fact, but to Yun Che, the words struck like a blade. Scarred-face... his Xi'er.
The young dragon girl turned her head, her dull yet sharp eyes scanning the three of them. For a fleeting moment, her gaze fell upon Yun Che, and a torrent of emotions flickered within her. Pain, confusion, longing... all mixed and hidden behind the veil of apathy she wore like armor. Yet her expression betrayed nothing—her eyes remained cold and distant.
Without a word, she turned and walked away, her steps light yet filled with an unshakable loneliness that stabbed at Yun Che's soul. Her small frame disappeared slowly into the endless expanse of flowers, leaving only a hollow silence in her wake.
Yun Che stood rooted in place, his hand unconsciously clenching into a tight fist. The overwhelming stabbing pain in his chest threatened to consume him. She's right there... so close, yet so far.
"Brother Yuan, is everything alright?" Meng Jianze's voice broke the silence, his tone carrying concern as he noticed Yun Che's stiffened posture.
"Yes... I'm fine," Yun Che replied after a pause, forcing his voice to remain steady. But his clenched fist trembled slightly, betraying the truth. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the direction in which she had vanished, the ache in his heart only growing heavier.
"Ahhhh!!!" A startled voice broke the silence as a figure stumbled clumsily toward them, arms flailing dramatically. "What a beautiful sea of flowers!" the man exclaimed, tripping over a patch of blossoms and landing awkwardly at their feet. He looked up sheepishly, brushing dirt from his robes. "Oh... ah... hello there!" he said, his tone overly casual, trying to mask his obvious discomfort.
Yun Che and the two Meng brothers exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. It was painfully clear to all three that this man hadn't simply "stumbled" upon them—he'd been hiding nearby all along, likely gathering the courage to approach.
The young man hastily straightened himself, his demeanor both awkward and endearing. "I am... I am Long Wangchu... nice to meet you, brothers?" he said, his words trailing into a hesitant question as he looked at each of them in turn.
Yun Che's sharp gaze softened as he regarded the man before him. The young lord of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan was clearly out of his depth, his bravado barely concealing his uncertainty.
Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianze, on the other hand, were less amused. Jianxi raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed, while Jianze muttered under his breath, "What does he want?" Both seemed ready to dismiss the dragon lord and walk away when Yun Che surprised them by stepping forward.
"Long Wangchu, is it? Come on, let's get you up." Yun Che extended a hand, his expression calm but kind. The young dragon blinked, clearly startled by the gesture, but quickly grasped Yun Che's hand and allowed himself to be pulled upright.
Yun Che still remembered what Meng Jianxi had told him about the Ancestral Dragon God Clan. The Lord of the clan had adopted Yun Xi, and by all accounts, her living conditions among the dragons were good. The dragons treated his daughter kindly, and now, with this young dragon lord seemingly attempting to befriend him, Yun Che thought to himself, Why not?
"Yun Che," he said simply, offering his name with a faint nod.
"Ah... you're the Dreamweaver Divine Son, Meng Jianyuan!" Long Wangchu exclaimed, his eyes widening as if in sudden realization. Yet, his overly dramatic reaction and stiff demeanor made his act painfully obvious.
Yun Che raised an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering but unreadable. "Yes, that's me," he replied, his tone calm and measured.
Noticing the awkward tension, Meng Jianxi stepped forward, his tone firm but polite. "Meng Jianxi," he introduced himself curtly.
"And Meng Jianze," added the younger brother, his voice tinged with mild amusement. The two brothers exchanged glances, silently deciding to follow Yun Che's lead. If their "brother" was willing to humor this young dragon lord, they might as well extend the same courtesy.
Long Wangchu scratched the back of his head nervously, clearly relieved that the Meng brothers hadn't brushed him off. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Truly." His sincerity shone through his clumsy demeanor, and despite themselves, the Meng brothers softened slightly.
-------
"So, Brother Yuan, was my act really that bad?" Long Wangchu asked Yun Che as they strolled through the vibrant sea of flowers.
Before Yun Che could even open his mouth, the two Meng brothers answered in unison, their voices firm and unapologetic. "YES!"
The bluntness of their response hung in the air for a moment before Long Wangchu let out a bitter laugh, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "I guess it was worse than I thought, huh?" His laughter was light, but there was a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "Honestly, I thought my acting was decent... but I guess not."
"Not even close," Meng Jianxi remarked dryly, crossing his arms. "You tripped on nothing, your words were all over the place, and you looked like you wanted to crawl into the ground the moment you spotted us."
Meng Jianze chuckled, adding, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to imitate a mortal playing the fool."
Long Wangchu smiled wryly at their brutal critique but didn't seem offended. "Well, I guess that's fair, but... it doesn't really matter, does it? I'm just glad I managed to talk to you all." His gaze turned toward Yun Che, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.
Yun Che studied him quietly, taking in his casual demeanor and unguarded words. There was something genuine about Long Wangchu, an honesty that was rare among the scheming and pride-filled Divine Children. He's not as naïve as he pretends to be, Yun Che thought. He's just trying to survive in a world that doesn't favor him.
"You've been out here all day, haven't you? Trying to make connections with the others?" Yun Che finally asked, his tone calm but perceptive.
Long Wangchu's steps faltered for a moment before he nodded. "Yeah... but I'm sure you can guess how that went. Most of them wouldn't even give me the time of day."
"That's because you're not at level of a Divine Son," Meng Jianxi said bluntly. "The dragon clan has no True Gods, and without that level of power, they see you as..." He trailed off, not finishing the sentence, though the implication was clear.
Long Wangchu didn't seem bothered by the harsh reality. Instead, he smiled faintly. "I know. The dragon clan's days are numbered. It's no secret. Without a True God to stand among the Divine Kingdoms, we're just a relic of the past, clinging to old glories."
"If you know that, then why are you here?" Yun Che asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Long Wangchu paused, glancing toward the horizon where the sun bathed the Pure Land in golden light. "Because even if the dragon clan's end is inevitable, it's not here yet. As long as I can still stand, I'll do whatever I can to ensure we're remembered." His words were calm but resolute.
Curious about the mountain range where his daughter lived, Yun Che engaged Long Wangchu in conversation about the dragon clan, subtly gathering information while forming mental images of their home. From what Long Wangchu shared, Yun Che could discern that the Dragon Lord deeply loved his son, Long Wangchu, and his adopted daughter, Yun Xi—Yun Che's own daughter.
This revelation brought a sense of relief and a flicker of warmth to Yun Che's heart. At least they're treating her well. He had vowed to repay any kindness a thousandfold if his daughter was treated right, and from what he could tell, the dragon clan's care for Yun Xi was genuine. When the time comes, I'll ensure the dragons safety, Yun Che resolved silently, determination flashing in his eyes.
The group's conversation meandered through various topics, the tone becoming increasingly lighthearted. Long Wangchu's initial nervousness had long since faded, replaced by a sense of camaraderie that was rare among the Divine Kingdoms. For Yun Che, this casual interaction was more than just a friendly exchange—it was another piece of his larger plan falling into place.
As time passed, the group eventually parted ways, each returning to their respective residences to prepare for the upcoming competition. The list of participants had already been submitted to the High Priests overseeing the Pure Land Meeting Competition, and anticipation hung thick in the air.
"Goodbye, Brother Yuan, Brother Jianxi, Brother Jianze. I'll see you at the competition," the young dragon lord said, bowing politely before departing.
Yun Che nodded in return, his expression calm but his mind already calculating. "Until then, Brother Wangchu," he said, his tone courteous.
Watching the dragon lord retreat into the distance, Yun Che turned to Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianze. "Let's head back," he said simply, and the three made their way to the Dreamweaver residence.
As the day gave way to night, the Pure Land was bathed in an ethereal silver light. Yun Che stood by the window of his chamber, gazing out at the landscape. His mind was a storm of thoughts, yet his expression remained composed.
Everything is proceeding smoothly.
The plans he had painstakingly crafted were all falling into place, step by step. He could sense the growing tension between the Divine Kingdoms—seeds he had carefully planted beginning to sprout. And now, with the competition looming just a day away, the next phase of his scheme would unfold.
Yun Che's eyes glinted coldly in the darkness. By the time this is over, the fragile unity of the Divine Kingdoms will be nothing but shattered glass.
As dawn broke over the Pure Land, the tension that had simmered over the past few days reached its boiling point. The overseers, with the lists of participants from each Divine Kingdom and the Ancestral Dragon God Clan, had finalized the matchups for the first round. The announcement spread quickly, and every group huddled to review the matchups.
When Yun Che saw the name on his slip, he let out a soft sigh.
Meng JianYuan vs. Long Qingfeng.
So, my fate with the Ancestral Dragon God Clan is inevitable after all.
The name stirred a mix of emotions in Yun Che. Long Qingfeng, as he had learned from his "father" Meng Kongchan and his "brothers," Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianze, was one of the more promising talents among the younger generation of the dragon clan. His cultivation level, though below many Divine Sons and Daughters, was still respectable for his age. The fact that Yun Che would face a member of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan in his very first match—it was almost as though fate had orchestrated this.
As Yun Che traced his finger over the name on the slip, he couldn't help but feel the weight of what this match meant. The dragons had unknowingly taken in his daughter, Yun Xi, and treated her as one of their own. While gratitude swirled in his heart, his plans and the stakes of this competition demanded that he hold nothing back, even against the clan tied to his daughter's newfound family.
"Brother Yuan," Meng Jianxi's voice brought him back to the present, "the matches are arranged based on cultivation levels to ensure a fair start. Divine Sons and Divine Daughters vary too much in age and experience, so the overseers matched participants by their current power levels for the first round."
"If you win, you move to the winners' group and fight there. If you lose, you enter the losers' group," Meng Jianze explained further. "Two losses, and you're out of the tournament completely."
Yun Che nodded as the explanation sank in. So it's a double-elimination format, he mused, his thoughts briefly drifting to the competition in the Eternal Heaven Realm long ago. The similarity brought a faint smile to his lips, though the stakes here were far greater. This time, I can't afford even a single misstep.
With that, Yun Che read the entire lists, due to the fact that many matches are bound to start at the same time but in different arena, he won't be able to spectate anyone unless his match end early.
Soon, number of names catches his attention.
As Yun Che scanned through the list of matchups, his expression remained neutral, but his mind was calculating. Multiple battles would take place across various arenas, meaning he wouldn't have the chance to spectate others unless his match ended early.
One matchup caught his attention:
"Meng Jianxi of Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom vs. Pan Benzhuo of Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom."
Yun Che's gaze lingered briefly. Meng Jianze had proven himself loyal after yielding to Yun Che, but Pan Benzhuo was known for his underhanded tactics. It was going to be a test of Meng Jianxi's ability to stand firm under pressure.
Then his eyes fell on another name:
"Long Xi of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan vs. Hua Caili of Heaven Breaker Divine Kingdom."
Yun Che's heart tensed. My daughter… against Caili. The irony wasn't lost on him, and neither was the sting of helplessness. He had no way to intervene and could only hope for the best. They're both strong in their own ways. I can only trust them to fight with dignity.
He pushed down the unease and continued reading.
"Shen Wuyi of Eternal Night vs. Dian Jiuzhi of Boundless Divine Kingdom."
His expression hardened slightly. Dian Jiuzhi, you're finally facing someone who won't be swayed by your mask of gentleness. He didn't spare much thought for the Divine Son's chances, though the battle promised to be intense.
Lastly, another familiar name drew his attention:
"Pan Buwang of Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom vs. Xian Yue of the Moon & Star Divine Kingdom."
Yun Che smirked faintly. Let's see how far you've come, my 'disciple.'
As he folded the slip, he noticed how carefully the matchups were arranged. Each pairing reflected a balance of strength, giving every participant a fair opportunity to advance. Their cultivation levels were listed, ensuring no one was unfairly overmatched in the early stages.
Yun Che, at the fourth level of the Divine Master Realm, was pitted against Long Qingfeng, a sixth-level Divine Master Realm cultivator.
his matchup was, in fact, the most favorable one the tournament organizers could arrange for Yun Che. Long Qingfeng, despite being a sixth-level Divine Master, had the second-lowest cultivation among the tournament participants.
Despite the slower growth of dragons compared to humans, the Pure Land was the gathering place for the most exceptional geniuses across the Abyss. Each Divine Kingdom and the dragon clan had brought their finest warriors to this pivotal meeting.
Even though the Ancestral Dragon God Clan had carefully chosen their participants, their collective power was still overshadowed by the Divine Kingdoms. Dragons, while physically formidable, had always lagged behind in cultivation speed, leaving them disadvantaged in this arena. The exception, of course, was Yun Xi, Yun Che's daughter, who had already reached the Divine Extinction Realm—a feat that made her the undisputed strongest among the dragons.
His gaze shifted toward the tournament list again, lingering on the names of Yun Xi and Hua Caili. Both were at the first level of the Divine Extinction Realm, and their match should be evenly matched in theory. Yet Yun Che knew his daughter's combat prowess far exceeded her cultivation level. "Xi'er should win," he muttered to himself, though a flicker of unease still settled in his chest. Watching his daughter fight Hua Caili would be bittersweet. He trusted Yun Xi's strength, but the thought of the clash brought a mix of pride and quiet sorrow.
Turning his attention to Pan Buwang, Yun Che's confidence solidified. "There's no need to worry about him. With his goals, losing isn't an option for him. He'll do what needs to be done." Yun Che's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. Pan Buwang had his own ambitions, and Yun Che's guidance had been enough to ensure he'd hold nothing back in this tournament.
But when Yun Che's eyes landed on Shen Wuyi's name, a deep furrow appeared in his brow. Xia Qingyue—Shen Wuyi—was matched against Dian Jiuzhi, the strongest participant in the entire tournament. At the eighth level of the Divine Extinction Realm, Dian Jiuzhi's power dwarfed nearly everyone present. Yet, Yun Che's concern wasn't solely for the battle.
"She's seen me," he thought, unease flickering through his mind. "She must have. But her aura hasn't shifted—not even the slightest trace of recognition or confusion." The Xia Qingyue he knew wouldn't overlook him so easily. Her calm demeanor, devoid of any emotion, sent a chill through him. Something about her wasn't right, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at play.
"No," Yun Che decided, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I can't leave this to chance." He clenched his fists, his resolve solidifying. He'd finish his fight as quickly as possible and make his way to spectate Xia Qingyue's match. Whatever her reasons, he needed to confirm them with his own eyes.