To an ordinary profound practitioner, a month was but a fleeting moment. Yet for Yun Che, it felt like an eternity—an agonizing stretch of time where the storm within his heart never once ceased.
No matter how much he tried to suppress it, the rage, frustration, and helplessness churned within him, like a hurricane that refused to subside.
The Ancestral Dragon God Clan, attempting to mend relations, had sent over their most treasured medicines as an apology for what had transpired between Long Xi and Hua Caili. However, such gestures meant nothing to Hua Fuchen and Hua Qingying. Their wrath remained unshaken, their killing intent unwavering. No number of gifts could erase the pain of seeing their beloved Caili broken and bloodied.
Yet even that paled in comparison to the news of Dian Jiuzhi and Shen Wuyi.
It struck Yun Che like a merciless hammer, each revelation piercing deeper—like blades relentlessly stabbing into his heart.
His plans—everything he had carefully thought through, everything he had prepared for, every step he had mapped out—
It all crumbled apart.
Like fragile paper caught in a raging storm, his efforts were scattered, torn, and rendered meaningless.
His grip tightened. His breath grew ragged.
As the month of recovery neared its end, only a few days remained before the tournament resumed.
Despite being the host of the Pure Land Meeting, the Pure Land itself did not provide any additional resources to the participants. The burden of recovery, healing, and preparation fell solely on each Divine Kingdom and their own reserves. In the end, this competition was not just about individual strength—it was also a test of each Kingdom's power and resources.
Meanwhile, Hua Caili's body had fully healed, but she remained unconscious, locked in an unnaturally deep slumber. No amount of external treatment, no matter how divine, could awaken her.
And Yun Che…
He had not left her bedside even once since bringing her back.
To the world, he was the embodiment of devotion—the perfect man. A lover so deeply in love that he forsook everything else to stay by the side of his injured beloved, tirelessly healing her with his power, refusing to leave her even for a moment.
But reality was far different.
Yun Che wasn't just playing the role of Hua Caili's man—he was bound by it. Whether he wished to or not, he could not step away, not even for a moment. The outside world moved without him, and the only connection he had to the unfolding events was through the reports delivered by his "brothers."
Then, the next match list arrived.
And when Yun Che saw his opponent, his eyes darkened.
Long Wangchu.
The young lord of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan.
As Yun Che scanned the match lineup, analyzing who would be fighting whom, he quickly recognized the pattern—winners of the first round were now being pitted against other winners, while those who had lost were placed in the losers' bracket to battle amongst themselves.
One by one, he examined the names, cross-referencing the reports in his hands. His gaze was sharp, his thoughts focused—until he noticed something that made his heart freeze.
His daughter's name was missing.
At first, he thought it was a mistake. Perhaps an oversight. But after double-checking with Jianxi and later confirming with his "father," the truth became clear—the Ancestral Dragon God Clan had forcibly made her concede, fearing what could happen to her.
For a brief moment, Yun Che's heart warmed toward the Ancestral Dragon God Clan. He hadn't expected this. Even with everything that had happened, they still protected her, even if it meant her withdrawal from the tournament.
With that matter settled, his gaze shifted to another name.
Shen Wuyi. (Xia Qingyue.)
She had been placed against the Divine Son of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom—but that was a matter for later. There was no need to concern himself with that now.
A familiar presence entered the room, drawing his attention. Hua Qingying.
"How's Caili?" she asked the moment she stepped in, her face filled with worry.
Yun Che turned to face her, offering a calm and reassuring smile.
"Auntie, most of Caili's injuries have already healed, but it seems it will take some time before she wakes up," he answered politely.
Then, with unwavering confidence, he added, "There's no need to worry, Auntie. Though her injuries that day were severe, with my Light Profound Energy, Caili will recover even stronger than before."
His voice was steady, his expression filled with certainty.
Hua Qingying studied him for a moment before nodding. "Un," she acknowledged softly before turning to leave.
Her trust in Yun Che had long since become unshakable. From the Fog Sea incident until now, time and time again, he had proven just how much he cared for Hua Caili. There was not a soul in the world who would doubt his love for her.
No one… except Yun Che himself.
Because he knew the truth—all of it was just a mask.
One day, when the time was right, that mask would come off.
And on that day, all love—whether romantic, familial, or otherwise—would cease to exist.
That day, they would all become his enemies.
But for now, even if it was just a mask, he wanted it to last a little longer.
A fleeting moment. A temporary illusion.
Yet just as that thought crossed his mind, a chilling sensation washed over him like a torrential downpour. His body tensed, his breath hitched, and his expression turned cold—frigid, ruthless, emotionless.
How could he think that way?!!
These people—Hua Caili, Hua Qingying, Hua Fuchen, all of them—they were his enemies!
All of them!
If even a single one of them ever stepped foot into his home world, everything would be destroyed. His past, his people, everything he swore to protect—gone.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, forcing himself back into reality. This wasn't real. This could never be real.
With that final thought, Yun Che cast every flicker of warmth, every lingering attachment, every false emotion deep into the abyss of his soul—an abyss from which nothing would ever return.
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Ancestral Dragon God Clan's Residence
Currently, Long Wangchu, the young dragon lord, paced back and forth in his chambers, his brows furrowed with deep worry. His thoughts were in turmoil, his mind fixated on one thing—the name he had just seen on the match list.
Meng Jianyuan!
A man whom he had befriended just a month ago.
The issue wasn't that he feared Meng Jianyuan's strength in battle. No, it wasn't the fight itself that troubled him. It was the fragile friendship they had built, the relationship now hanging in the balance.
And all because of Hua Caili.
Everyone knew the real reason why the Abyssal Monarch had annulled the engagement between Dian Jiuzhi and Hua Caili. It was because of Meng Jianyuan!
His love for her was undeniable, plain for all to see. He had never once left Hua Caili's side, spending all his time healing her, refusing to step away even for a moment. That kind of dedication—it moved hearts, it commanded respect.
And now… Long Wangchu was forced to face that same man in battle.
"What should I do…? What should I do…?" He muttered under his breath, pacing relentlessly, unable to calm himself.
Then, suddenly, a majestic presence filled the room.
The Dragon Lord had arrived.
"Chu'er, the Painter Heart Divine Regent still refuses our gifts," the Dragon Lord spoke, his tone heavy with disappointment. Even after all their attempts, they had failed to quell the lingering resentment against their clan.
This only deepened Long Wangchu's already dark mood.
"Chu'er," the Dragon Lord continued, his expression serious. "Is there really nothing you can think of to appease their anger? Or perhaps… something we can offer Meng Jianyuan?"
If they could ease Meng Jianyuan's heart, perhaps the wrath of the Gods would lessen.
Long Wangchu racked his brain, desperately searching through his memories—his every interaction with Meng Jianyuan, every minor detail, anything at all that might help.
Then—suddenly, his eyes lit up!
"I got it, Father!" he exclaimed, excitement flashing across his face.
The Dragon Lord's gaze sharpened. "?????"
"Back when I first met Brother Yuan, it was faint… but I could feel it! He carries our dragon race inheritance within him! If we were to give him that thing…!"
The Dragon Lord's eyes flickered with understanding.
Meng Jianyuan bore the power of their race.
And the thing his son referred to—he knew exactly what it was. After all, it was the Ancestral Dragon God Clan's greatest trump card.
For a long moment, he weighed the pros and cons.
Then, at last, both father and son reached the same conclusion—the benefits far outweighed the risks.
They would do it.
Inside a dimly lit room, a young woman lay quietly on a cold stone bed.
Her body was motionless, her breath weak. Deep scars marred her once-pristine face, remnants of a brutal battle that had left her battered beyond recognition.
Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, her lips pale, her complexion ashen, drained of all vitality.
Her eyes, once fierce and filled with spirit, were now dim, hollow—as if all light had ceased to exist within them.
--------------
"I'll leave Caili in your care, Auntie."
With a respectful bow, Yun Che turned and left the room where Hua Caili remained in her deep slumber. Unfortunately, she had yet to wake up, and so her match had been postponed.
But Yun Che had no time to dwell on that now—his own battle was here.
His fight against the young dragon lord had arrived.
As Yun Che stepped out of the residence, he was met with a formidable sight. Aside from those who had already left for their own matches, everyone else was here.
His "father."
Hua Caili's father.
The elders of their Kingdoms.
All of them stood waiting. Their presence was heavy, their expressions unreadable.
Yun Che's gaze swept over them before he spoke, his tone cold, unwavering.
"Father, Father-in-law, and seniors… let us go."
With those words, he took the lead, stepping forward without hesitation. The rest followed closely behind as they entered the portal that would take them to the battle arena.
As the light of the portal faded, Yun Che once again found himself standing in the grand arena, the very place where he had fought before.
But this time, the atmosphere was different.
It was silent.
Deathly silent.
And yet, beneath that silence, there was a storm brewing.
Like a volcano on the verge of eruption, the tension in the air was suffocating.
The anger of those present had reached its boiling point. Everyone was waiting. Watching.
Whether it was Meng Kongchan or Hua Fuchen, they both already knew—Yun Che's victory was inevitable.
There was no question of who would win this battle.
No, what everyone wanted to know now…
Was how the Ancestral Dragon God Clan planned to appease their wrath.
Hurting Hua Caili meant making an enemy of both the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom and the Heaven Breaker Divine Kingdom.
Today, they had all gathered—not just to witness the fight, but to demand repayment.
Injuries were a natural part of battle. Everyone understood that. But this was not a battle where lives were supposed to be on the line.
Hua Caili shouldn't have been pushed to the brink of death.
Even now, after all the medicine, after all the divine healing, she still hadn't woken up.
This wasn't something that could simply be ignored.
The entire arena was filled with an oppressive silence as Yun Che took to the stage. His every step, calm and deliberate, felt heavier than a thousand mountains.
By the time they arrived, the Ancestral Dragon God Clan was already present, their members seated across the arena. Their young lord, Long Wangchu, stood at the center of the battle stage, his expression unreadable.
Then—Yun Che landed.
A soft, almost imperceptible sound. And yet, it shook the hearts of everyone present.
A weight. A presence. A force that could not be ignored.
Long Wangchu took a deep breath before lowering his head slightly and offering a respectful bow.
"We meet again, Brother Yuan."
His voice was steady, though there was a tension beneath his words, as though he understood the gravity of this moment more than anyone.
High above, the referee overseeing this battle had already arrived.
Surprisingly, it was Mo Die once again.
Perhaps it was deliberate. Perhaps it was fate.
Because of what had happened between Hua Caili and Long Xi, the arena was now filled beyond capacity—not just with the usual spectators, but with representatives from every Divine Kingdom.
Even the four High Priests were present, standing solemnly with their attendants and servants.
Though they had prevented Hua Fuchen and Hua Qingying from killing Long Xi, that didn't mean their hearts weren't in pain.
They had all watched Hua Caili grow up.
And seeing her in this state was a wound none of them could easily bear.
It was their mistake for allowing the battle to escalate to such a disastrous point. But who could have predicted that Long Xi would go so far?
Burning her blood essence—a desperate, reckless act meant only for battles of life and death—to forcefully boost her strength, unleashing an attack so devastating that Hua Caili was left broken in a single blow.
The match had been stopped the moment the severity of the situation became clear. But by then—Caili was already on the brink of death.
Were it not for the power of the High Priests, who had stabilized her injuries the moment they intervened, she would have perished that very day. Even with the strongest medicines available, her recovery would have taken years, if not longer.
Thank the heavens that Yun Che possessed Light Profound Energy.
With his power, her full recovery was only a matter of time.
The air in the arena was thick with tension.
Yun Che's expression was cold—frigid, merciless. His gaze swept over Long Wangchu before turning to scan the entire Ancestral Dragon God Clan, his voice like sharpened ice when he spoke.
"Where is Long Xi?"
A silence fell over the stadium. The question carried weight.
Long Wangchu took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain composed before replying, "Brother Yuan, Long Xi decided to stay in the residence. Since it is not suitable for her to be here."
It was the truth.
Ever since that day, ever since his father had taken Long Xi away, he had not seen her again.
At first, his anger had burned too hot for him to care. But after the rage had settled, when his mind finally calmed, he had tried—multiple times—to seek her out again.
But each time, his father denied him.
Long Xi had disappeared behind closed doors, and not even he, the young lord, was allowed to see her.
Long Wangchu once loved Long Xi.
Deeply.
But after she ruined her face, that attachment vanished—or at least, he told himself it had. Even if he no longer held feelings for her, she was still someone he once cared for.
And deep down, he didn't want anything to happen to her.
That was why he carried that item with him today.
If it could lessen their fury—**if it could even slightly ease the wrath of Yun Che, Hua Fuchen, and the entire Heaven Breaker Divine Kingdom—**then it was worth it.
Across from him, Yun Che processed Long Wangchu's response.
Though he outwardly maintained his mask of cold, restrained fury, deep inside, he felt relief.
It seemed the Dragon Clan still cared for Long Xi.
Even now.
Even after what she had done.
Good.
Because while he had to continue playing his role—a man filled with anger, thirsting for vengeance—inside, he silently thanked the Ancestral Dragon God Clan.
His promise from before still stood.
"When the Abyss collapses, I will make sure that the Dragon Clan survives the calamity."
High above, Mo Die's voice echoed across the tense battlefield.
"Are both fighters ready?"
"Yes."
Both Yun Che and Long Wangchu replied without hesitation.
"Begin!"
Before Yun Che could make his move, Long Wangchu suddenly raised his hand.
"Brother Yuan, before we fight, I actually have something for you."
His voice was steady, carrying the weight of significance. Without hesitation, he reached into his spatial storage, retrieving a small bottle and tossing it toward Yun Che.
With a single, fluid motion, Yun Che caught it mid-air.
A slight frown crossed his face as he examined the container. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he opened it.
The moment the seal was broken—
An ancient, overwhelming aura flooded the air.
The very fabric of space seemed to tremble as an invisible force spread across the arena. It was primal, boundless, suffocating—a power that made even the proudest dragons widen their eyes in shock.
The members of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan immediately recognized it.
Their expressions changed dramatically, some even rising from their seats. This aura… this power… it was unmistakable!
One of the elders gasped, his voice trembling, "Ancestral Dragon Blood! No… this is… Ancestral Dragon God Blood Essence!"
A collective uproar broke out among the Divine Kingdoms.
The Gods in attendance—beings who had seen countless treasures, who had wielded immeasurable power—could not contain their shock.
This was not ordinary dragon blood.
Its aura was far denser, far purer than anything ever seen before!
For cultivators with a dragon bloodline, this was a treasure beyond measure. The very essence of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan's origins—if fused with one's bloodline, it would strengthen their dragon power exponentially!
"How?!" someone in the stands cried out, their voice filled with disbelief.
"How can the Ancestral Dragon God Clan still possess such a pure and powerful blood essence?!"
Indeed, while they were known as the Ancestral Dragon God Clan, their blood had long since diluted over countless generations. Their Lord was only at the Peak of the Divine Limit Realm—his blood essence, though formidable, should not have been capable of producing something like this!
Yet the bottle in Yun Che's hands…
The purity. The density. The sheer presence of it.
It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen.
Yet, to everyone's surprise—
Instead of gratitude—instead of excitement—
Yun Che's face darkened.
A chilling wind swept through the arena as cold air surged outward from his trembling body.
His pupils, which once gleamed with clarity, turned pitch-black, an abyss of endless darkness—as if a demon had clawed its way into his very soul.
A terrifying pressure filled the air, suffocating and absolute.
"Yuan'er…?"
From the stands, Meng Kongchan stared at Yun Che, his expression shaken.
He had never—not once—seen his son like this before.
Yun Che's entire body trembled, but not with excitement—with fury.
A fury so pure, so consuming, that everyone could feel it—an overwhelming rage, deep and boundless, rising from within him like a divine calamity.
Then, in a voice that sent chills through the hearts of all present, Yun Che spoke.
"WHY... WHY... DO YOU... HAVE THIS?"
His words were slow, trembling, each syllable dripping with an unfathomable coldness.
Long Wangchu, sensing the abnormality in Yun Che's state, hesitated for a brief moment before answering truthfully.
"Brother Yuan… according to my father, the Dragon Lord discovered this by accident."
His voice was steady, though uncertainty flickered in his gaze.
"Years ago, my father found several drops of Ancestral Dragon God Blood Essence. From that moment on, he has been using it little by little to nourish my body, awakening my bloodline."
The moment those words left Long Wangchu's mouth—
BOOM!
An invisible force erupted around Yun Che, his body trembling violently as his mind raced.
Then, a voice echoed in his consciousness—
"Brother Yuan, we have a report that about sixty years ago, the young lord of the dragon clan suddenly seemed to awaken his latent talents, and his cultivation level began to improve drastically."
Meng Jianxi's words…
Sixty years ago.
Suddenly, everything clicked in Yun Che's mind.
No wonder.
No wonder the Dragon Clan treated his daughter with such unnatural care.
No wonder they never let her out of their sight.
No wonder, despite all her faults, the Dragon Lord still protected her.
It wasn't out of love. It wasn't out of care.
It was because of this!
Yun Che's gaze fell upon the floating blood within the bottle.
Slowly, the thick crimson liquid drifted out of its container, hovering above his palm.
The original aura within it had long been purged of its original presence, but to Yun Che isn't does not matter.
Because he knew.
He knew.
He would never fail to recognize it.
This was Yun Xi's Blood Essence.
His daughter's blood!
A deep, guttural sound rumbled from Yun Che's throat.
Then—
"…die."