Chapter 2143: Prince of Darkness Part 1

In the depths of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom's residence, Pan Buzhuo's enraged voice thundered across the grand halls, his fury like a storm about to break.

"You damn trash! What the fuck do you think you're doing?!!!"

His glare was murderous, his profound energy surging as he fixed his burning gaze on Pan Buwang—the man who had dared to challenge his place.

"You think I'm going to lose to those two trashes of Divine Sons?!!!!" He roared, his face twisted with rage.

Today had been a day of humiliation unlike any he had ever experienced since inheriting the title of Divine Son. He had crushed one of them already, yet now, because of that discarded waste, he was being forced into an unnecessary battle—one that made it seem as if he could lose.

"And you! You dare stand beside me?! Are you even fucking worthy to fight by my side?!"

His words dripped with disdain, mockery, and pure hatred.

Yet, no matter how much Pan Buzhuo roared, Pan Buwang remained silent.

He simply stood there, expressionless, completely ignoring his younger brother's raging outburst.

The hall grew heavier, the tension suffocating.

Then, suddenly—

"Enough, Buzhuo!"

The commanding voice of Divine Regent Qi Heng rang out, echoing like thunder.

His presence alone was enough to make Pan Buzhuo's body stiffen, his anger momentarily halted as a cold sweat ran down his back.

"You have embarrassed us long enough!" The Divine Regent's voice was sharp, his patience clearly worn thin.

"Go to your room and reflect on your mistakes!"

Pan Buzhuo's rage twisted into unwillingness, but before his father's authority, he could do nothing but bow his head in submission.

"...Yes, Lord Father."

His fists clenched, his heart burned with resentment, but he dared not defy Qi Heng's decree.

Without another word, Pan Buzhuo turned on his heel, storming off toward his private quarters, but the roar of fury in his mind did not subside.

A tense silence settled over the hall as Qi Heng's gaze slowly shifted toward Pan Buwang.

The older son remained motionless, his expression unreadable.

The Divine Regent's thoughts were a storm, memories from long ago surfacing as he studied the son he had once cast aside.

"Back then… Before Buwang's mother passed… Before everything changed…"

Once, Pan Buwang had been the true Divine Son of their Kingdom.

He was upright, noble, and carried the characteristics befitting a ruler.

But then—

Buzhuo was born.

With a higher Divine Essence, the fate of their Kingdom dictated that the title of Divine Son be passed down.

Buwang was stripped of everything.

And worse—

Buzhuo had secretly killed Buwang's mother.

Qi Heng knew it. He had known it from the start.

But he had turned a blind eye.

He had abandoned Buwang, believing that hatred and resentment would consume him.

Yet, when Buwang returned, he was not filled with hate.

He had been respectful, humble, and had shown not a single sign of anger toward the father who had discarded him.

Just like the Pan Buwang from long ago.

The realization left a strange feeling in Qi Heng's heart—something he could not quite describe.

He studied his eldest son one last time, then slowly averted his gaze.

"...Rest well."

With those brief words, he turned and walked away.

As Qi Heng's figure faded into the dimly lit corridor, Pan Buwang finally spoke—his voice steady, unshaken.

"Please have a good rest too, Lord God Father."

The words were calm, yet they struck Qi Heng's heart like a blade.

For just a moment—

His footsteps faltered.

The tone. The words. The way they were spoken.

Exactly like before.

Like when he was the Divine Son...

--------------

Meng Kongchan's voice boomed through the hall, shaking the very air with his frustration.

"How is my grand daughter, my beloved son?!!! Damn it, you all are too loud!"

The echoes of his words still rang when a collective thought passed through the minds of those from the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom standing beside him.

"You're the fucking loudest one here, my Lord."

But, of course, no one dared to say it aloud.

Before them, Yun Che knelt beside Long Xi, his Light Profound Energy enveloping her fragile form. Under his precise control, her injuries were sealed, and her body began healing at a visible rate. Her breathing, once shallow, was now stable, her aura and life force slowly recovering.

After a long silence, Yun Che finally spoke.

"Long Xi will need some time to rest."

Carefully, under everyone's watchful eyes, Yun Che lifted her as though she were the most fragile existence in the world. Every movement was deliberate, filled with an unspoken tenderness that did not go unnoticed.

He placed her gently onto a soft bed, ensuring her comfort before reaching into his spatial ring. With a casual motion, he pulled out one Abyss Crystal after another, forming a delicate barrier around the area.

The moment the Abyss Crystals were exposed, the spiritual energy in the air surged like an uncontrollable storm, thick and overwhelming. Yet, under Yun Che's precise control, the energy—rather than raging wildly—flowed like a gentle stream, directing itself solely toward Long Xi.

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

Eyes widened in shock as they took in the sheer number of Abyss Crystals, each one an incomprehensibly rare treasure.

But despite the greed and desire flashing in their eyes, no one dared to voice an objection.

Because everyone knew—these were the resources left by Yun Che's master.

They belonged to him alone.

Yun Che slowly stepped away, sealing the room with a wave of his hand. The heavy doors shut with a deep, resounding echo, separating Long Xi's fragile state from the outside world.

As he turned to walk away, his body suddenly trembled.

His vision blurred, his steps faltered—he nearly collapsed right there.

But before he could fall—

A hand caught him.

"Lord Brother Yuan, are you okay?"

It was Meng Jianxi.

"Lord Brother is probably too tired."

Another pair of hands quickly supported him. Meng Jianze.

Yun Che remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable, but then he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

The two brothers, without hesitation, guided him to a comfortable seat and sat beside him in quiet solidarity.

The events of the day had been overwhelming.

But for Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianze, everything had become crystal clear.

Yun Che was beyond them.

His power, his status, his mindset—he had long surpassed anything they could ever hope to challenge.

And yet, he was still their brother.

The future of Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom now lay in Yun Che's hands, and it would shine brighter than the suns themselves.

Even when the Monarch had set up the upcoming matches, Meng Jianxi had not spoken a single word. He had no desire to participate—because he already knew his place.

As they sat there in silence, watching over Yun Che in quiet understanding, the elders of the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom observed them from the sidelines.

And one by one, something changed in their hearts.

Some of them—those who had once harbored lingering doubts about Yun Che, those who had once questioned his existence, those who had thought to challenge him—

All those thoughts disappeared completely after today.

"You hide your abilities quite well, Yuan'er."

A new figure settled beside them, his presence calm yet undeniable.

It was Dreamless Divine Regent—Meng Kongchan.

Yet, there was no suffocating aura, no overwhelming pressure of a ruler overseeing his subjects.

There was only the proud voice of a father, echoing with warmth.

Yun Che's eyes lowered slightly, his emotions difficult to discern.

"I'm sorry, Father."

Meng Kongchan's boisterous laughter erupted through the hall, shaking the very air.

"No need, hahaha!"

His voice rumbled, filled with unrestrained joy.

Today, after everything that had transpired, he could say with absolute certainty—

Even if he were to die this very moment, he would have no regrets.

His son was a monstrous existence, a talent beyond anything the Abyss had ever seen.

And yet—

No matter how monstrous Yun Che became—he was still his son.

And not only that—

He had also brought him a granddaughter.

Nothing in the world could have made him happier than this.

--------------------

"Caili, don't you want to go see him?"

Beside Hua Caili, Hua Qingying's voice was soft, yet tinged with curiosity.

"Not today," Hua Caili replied with a gentle smile, her gaze distant yet calm. "Brother Yun is probably too tired right now. He needs a good rest. But when the draw arrives tomorrow, I'll be there."

Her words carried a quiet certainty, a subtle change in her demeanor that did not go unnoticed.

Hua Fuchen and the elders—as well as the other participants from Heaven Breaker Divine Kingdom—listened silently to the exchange.

To many, it was a simple conversation.

But to Hua Qingying and Hua Fuchen, whose cultivation stood at the very peak of Divine Limited Realm and True God, it was something far more profound.

There was a change in Caili.

A change so subtle—yet so vast—that even they, with all their wisdom and power, could not fully comprehend it.

Yet, it did not feel dangerous.

When the time was right, the answers would reveal themselves.

For now, they would simply wait and watch.

Hua Fuchen, however, had his own thoughts swirling in his mind.

"That damn brat!" He grumbled internally, clenching his fists.

"How dare he swindle my daughter!"

His future son-in-law was a monstrous prodigy, an unpredictable force of nature—

But at the end of the day—

He was still just a brat who stole his precious daughter away.

-----------------

"Remember well—when the night arrives and darkness shrouds the world, the moon will shine, and the wolf will howl."

The voices of the Moon Divine Regent and Star Divine Regent overlapped, carrying a deep resonance that echoed through the vast chamber.

Before them, an immense celestial space had been conjured by their godly power—an isolated world where the very essence of stars and moons intertwined, forming a boundless cosmic domain.

"Yes, Lords!"

The two figures standing before them, Star Divine Son Sha Xing and Moon Divine Son Xian Yue, bowed deeply before stepping into the cosmic rift.

"We will show them the might of our Star and Moon Divine Kingdom when the time comes!"

Their voices rang with conviction as they disappeared into the celestial expanse.

Not long ago, both had broken through to the Fourth Level of Divine Extinction Realm—a monumental achievement in itself. Individually, their combat strength surpassed most others in the same realm—as expected of Divine Sons.

Yet, despite their power, they had never been able to unleash their true might in single combat.

But now, the conditions were finally in place.

Inside this private domain—a world where the Star and Moon's energies converged into one—they would hone their ultimate strength.

And when they emerged—

The world would witness the full might of the Star and Moon Divine Kingdom.

-------------

The entire Pure Land stirred as a new decree was sent down. Every Divine Kingdom participating in the tournament began making preparations, their strongest talents readying themselves for battle.

One month from now, the highly anticipated clash between the Star and Moon Divine Kingdoms and the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom would commence. Following that, another fierce battle would take place—Boundless Divine Kingdom versus Eternal Night Divine Kingdom. And finally, one month after that, the victor of the latter battle would face Meng Jianyuan of the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom in what would be the defining match of the tournament.

In the Abyss, there was no true sun, moon, or stars. The skies were an endless void, shrouded in Abyss Dust, an all-consuming force that devoured and erased everything. It was a land of desolation, devoid of light, warmth, or hope.

Yet, within the Pure Land, the world was different. Here, there was no Abyss Dust to corrode reality. Instead, an artificial sun, moon, and stars illuminated the heavens, their radiance carefully crafted to mimic the beauty of a world long lost. Day and night cycled as they once had in the past, preserving the illusion of a time before darkness reigned.

Exhausted beyond measure, Yun Che, who had spent the night watching over Long Xi, finally succumbed to sleep. His breath evened, his body heavy with fatigue.

Unbeknownst to him, Li Suo, ever watchful, extended her divine power over him, silently mending his heart and soul. Without a word, she continued her work, her warmth embracing him in his slumber.

Then—

A voice.

"Father... What is a Divine Son?"

A young boy's voice, soft and curious, echoed in the void.

"It is a title for you, my son!"

"A supreme position meant for the next ruler of our Kingdom!"

The voices floated through the mist, vague and indistinct, as if wrapped in a dreamlike haze. At first, the figures were obscured, mere shadows lost in the fog. But slowly, as though dawn had arrived to clear away the night, the mist receded, revealing two figures.

One was a man—a towering, regal presence with a warm, fatherly smile. The other was a small boy, his eyes filled with boundless curiosity.

It was Meng Kongchan.

And in his arms—Meng Jianyuan as a child.

"What does supreme mean?" the young boy asked again, his curiosity growing.

Laughter rang in the air.

The father and son continued their conversation, question after question flowing between them. Each inquiry was met with patience, every answer given with a gentle warmth that seemed to encompass the entire world.

"I'm hungry..." the boy suddenly said.

"Then let's go eat. Your mother should have prepared our meal by now."

Meng Kongchan's voice was filled with warmth as he carried his son away. The scene slowly faded into nothingness—

—as Yun Che's eyes snapped open.

The dim morning light crept into the room, filling it with a quiet stillness. Yet—Yun Che felt no warmth.

His chest rose and fell as his mind remained tangled in the dream.

"Why... did I dream of such a thing?"

This was the second time he had dreamed about Meng Jianyuan.

The first time had been when he was utterly drained—when exhaustion had consumed him beyond reason. Yet now, once again, in his weakest moment, he had relived memories that were not his own.

He was Yun Che.

He had never met Meng Jianyuan.

The knowledge he had of Meng Jianyuan came from fragmented records, from stories, from reports.

Yet—

Why did these memories feel so real?

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, followed by a voice calling out.

"Lord Brother Yuan, Princess Caili is here waiting for you," Meng Jianze announced.

"I'll be there shortly," Yun Che replied, pushing aside all distracting thoughts. He stabilized the power of the Abyss Crystals, ensuring they continued nourishing Long Xi, before making his way toward the waiting group.

Ahead of him stood Hua Caili, dressed in her favorite color. The flowing white gown draped elegantly over her form, making her appear almost ethereal, like a celestial fairy descended from the heavens. The veil that once concealed her face was gone, revealing her full beauty for all to see. Meng Jianxi, Meng Jianze, and the other young men struggled to look away, momentarily captivated.

Beside her, Hua Qingying stood quietly, her sharp eyes scanning Yun Che with a thoughtful gaze, as if weighing something in her mind.

Meanwhile, Meng Kongchan and Hua Fuchen were absent, but their laughter echoed from a distance, suggesting they had stepped away for a private conversation.

"Brother Yun!" Hua Caili rushed over with joy when she noticed Yun Che.

Yun Che allowed himself a small sigh as he wrapped his arms around Hua Caili, feeling her warmth press against him. Her familiar scent filled his senses—gentle, soothing, yet carrying a subtle strength beneath its softness. She held onto him tightly, as if ensuring that he was truly here, truly safe.

Her lips brushed against his, hesitant at first, then deepening with a quiet passion. The world around them seemed to still, the murmur of the wind, the distant laughter of their elders, the whispers of the servants—it all faded into nothingness.

"I'll... I'll take my leave!"

A flurry of hurried footsteps scattered in all directions as Meng Jianxi, Meng Jianze, and the other onlookers scrambled away, trying their best to disappear into the background. None of them could withstand the sheer weight of witnessing such a moment firsthand.

"Ah... let's go walk on some rocks or something..." Meng Jianxi muttered under his breath as he dragged his brother away.

Hua Qingying, still standing nearby, simply raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She had seen too much in her long life to be flustered by something as simple as affection. Yet, she studied Yun Che carefully, her sharp gaze flickering between him and Hua Caili. She could sense the change in her niece—something profound had shifted within her after that near-death experience.

Still, now wasn't the time to question it.

Hua Caili finally pulled back slightly, her eyes gazing into Yun Che's with a light that shone even brighter than before.

"You seem better," she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek. "Are you feeling well?"

"I am now," Yun Che said with a small smirk, his hand resting at the small of her back. "You seem... different."

Her expression softened. "I am. But I'll tell you about it later. Right now, I just want to be with you."

He nodded, understanding that whatever change had occurred within her, it was something deeply personal. It wasn't something she could put into words—not yet.

As the morning sun continued to rise, its golden light bathing the Pure Land in warmth, Yun Che and Hua Caili stood together, their hands entwined, the world around them quiet and still.

For a fleeting moment, the chaos of yesterday, the looming battle ahead, and the heavy burden of secrets all faded away.