Chapter 2146: Prince of Darkness Part 4

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The screams of agony rang through the air as all three combatants suffered the brunt of each other's strongest attacks.

Blood splattered across the arena as Sha Xing and Xian Yue were violently hurled through the air, their bodies slamming into the ground with a thunderous "BOOOOMMMMM!!!" The dust storm that followed shrouded their forms, but even through the haze, the sound of their ragged breathing could be heard.

Side by side, they lay in the shattered remnants of the battlefield, their bodies wracked with pain. They struggled, pushing against the ground, trying to support each other, but the moment they attempted to stand—

Their knees buckled.

"Huff... huff..."

"Huff... huff..."

Their breath came in ragged gasps, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.

As the dust began to settle, the sound of slow, steady footsteps echoed through the silence.

Someone was approaching.

Both Sha Xing and Xian Yue lifted their heads slightly, their blurry vision locking onto the silhouette moving toward them.

They turned to glance at each other, their faces pale, their bodies wracked with exhaustion.

And in each other's eyes, they saw the same emotion—

Bitterness.

"We concede," both Sha Xing and Xian Yue finally said, their voices weak yet resolute.

"The Divine Sons Sha Xing and Xian Yue have conceded the battle! The winner is Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom!" Carefree's voice echoed across the battlefield.

Yet, there was no cheer, no celebration.

Instead— only silence.

Then—

"Ahh... ahh... AHHH!!!"

A wave of shocked gasps swept through the spectators as the dust finally settled, revealing Pan Buwang's horrific state.

His entire left side was gone.

Compared to Pan Buzhuo, who had merely lost one arm, Pan Buwang had lost both his arm and leg. His mangled body trembled under its own weight, his tattered robes drenched in blood. His flesh was torn beyond recognition, organs barely clinging together, his exposed wounds grotesquely pulsing as fresh blood gushed onto the ruined battlefield.

Yet—

He did not scream.

He did not moan in pain.

He did not even flinch.

As if the agonizing loss of his limbs meant nothing.

But what shocked the audience even more—

Was his eyes.

The madness within them still burned.

Even as his body teetered on the edge of collapse, even as the battlefield itself seemed to drown in his blood, his will remained unshaken.

Then, slowly, painfully—Pan Buwang turned his head toward the stunned audience, his gaze locking onto his father—Divine Regent Qi Heng.

With the last of his strength, he bowed, disregarding the torrents of blood that spilled from his body with the motion.

"I, Pan Buwang, the former Divine Son of Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom..." his voice was clear, unwavering, filled with nothing but respect,

"...hope I did not disappoint you, Lord Father."

"Buwang!"

Reeling back from the shock, Divine Regent Qi Heng wasted no time. The battle was officially over, and in an instant, his figure blurred—vanishing from the stands and reappearing beside his gravely injured son.

With unparalleled speed, he scooped Pan Buwang into his arms, his godly power surging as he instantly stabilized his son's injuries. The divine energy coursed through Pan Buwang's ruined body, preventing any further blood loss, sealing his wounds in a desperate attempt to hold him together.

Yet—even as the injuries stopped worsening, the damage was catastrophic.

Pain, guilt, and regret crashed into Qi Heng like an endless tidal wave, suffocating him. His body trembled as emotions he hadn't felt in centuries surfaced violently, unraveling the carefully maintained dignity of a True God.

"Why did you push yourself this far...?"

His heart ached, his very soul tormented—and before he even realized it, his eyes burned with something he had long forgotten.

Tears.

Pan Buwang, his discarded son, had thrown himself into near death—all for the honor of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom.

Today, everyone would remember his name once more.

Pan Buwang had not only displayed his talent and unyielding will—but also an unparalleled ruthlessness. To uphold his Kingdom's honor, he had thrown himself into the jaws of death without hesitation, his own life nothing more than a bargaining chip in the grand scheme of battle.

The Abyssal Monarch and the High Priests exchanged glances, a flicker of intrigue flashing through their eyes. Even they—beings who had ruled for countless years—were momentarily stunned by the sheer madness radiating from Pan Buwang.

"Back then… he wasn't like this, was he?"

The murmurs among the gathered elders grew louder. Shock, disbelief, and silent admiration filled the atmosphere as their gazes locked onto the blood-drenched figure of Pan Buwang.

"No… back then, he wasn't like this. It's as if he was willing to die… just for his Kingdom's honor."

The moment those words left an elder's lips, a realization seemed to dawn upon them all.

A man like this—one who could abandon even his own life for his cause—was not someone to be trifled with.

Suddenly, a starry jade pillar streaked through the sky, descending with overwhelming force before landing near Pan Buwang, who was still being treated by Divine Regent Qi Heng.

"BOOOM!!!" The impact shook the ground, sending faint ripples of energy across the arena.

A commanding voice followed immediately after. "Pan Buwang, show me your Divine Essence!"

It was the Abyssal Monarch who had summoned the Divine Essence Measuring Pillar.

A murmur of confusion spread through the crowd. Why would the Monarch make such a demand? Pan Buwang's Divine Essence was common knowledge—a mere eight levels. He had been deemed inferior to Pan Buzhuo, who possessed nine levels, which was why he had lost his position as Divine Son in the first place.

Yet…

As realization dawned, a sharp glint flashed in Yun Che's eyes. "This is turning out even better than I expected," he thought, suppressing a smirk.

Pan Buwang's talent was undeniable, but there was no logical way he could have competed evenly against Sha Xing and Xian Yue, whose combined might bordered on the peak of the Divine Extinction Realm's fifth level.

And yet, he had.

Even more than that—he had forced them to concede.

Pan Buzhuo, who wielded nine levels of Divine Essence, had fallen decisively, but Pan Buwang, who was supposedly inferior, had fought them to a standstill.

There was only one explanation.

Yun Che wasn't the only one who had arrived at this conclusion. The Divine Regents, High Priests, and gathered Gods all narrowed their eyes.

Pan Buwang's Divine Essence was not what they had believed it to be.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Ignoring the pain ravaging his body, Pan Buwang took a step forward. A leg of pure darkness materialized where his severed limb should have been, allowing him to walk toward the towering Divine Essence Measuring Pillar.

The crowd watched in absolute silence as he lifted his trembling hand and pressed it against the jade surface.

A moment of stillness.

Then—

"SHIIIIINGGGG!!!!"

A burst of dazzling starlight erupted from the pillar, illuminating the entire arena. The previously dim structure pulsed with a growing radiance as one by one, the stars began to light up.

First.

Second.

Third.

The entire arena held its breath.

Fourth.

Fifth.

Sixth.

By the time the seventh star shone, many of the spectators clenched their fists, realizing the truth that had been overlooked for so many years.

"It... cannot be... right?..." Pan Buzhuo, still being supported by his elders, clung desperately to denial. His face was pale, his lips trembling as he stared at the pillar.

The eighth star ignited, burning brightly.

But it didn't stop.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

"Shiinggggg!!!"

The ninth star was set ablaze, illuminating Pan Buwang's features in a divine glow.

At that moment, the entire arena fell deathly silent.

Pan Buzhuo's breath hitched. His fingers dug into his robes as his mind spiraled in horror. No... NO... This isn't real... IT CAN'T BE!

And then—

"BOOOOOOOOM!!!!"

The tenth star burst into full radiance, completely filling the pillar with a brilliance only possessed by those with Perfect Divine Essence.

A stunned Divine Regent Qi Heng whispered hoarsely, "Perfect... Divine... Essence..." His gaze locked onto the son he had cast aside, disbelief and an unfamiliar ache growing in his chest.

"Ah... ah..."

Pan Buzhuo's mouth hung open, unable to form words. His mind shattered.

The cruel reality crashed down upon him like an endless abyss.

This was no dream.

It was a nightmare.

And no one—not even the heavens—could wake him from it.

"Perfect Divine... Essence..."

One by one, murmurs of disbelief spread through the arena. The realization struck them all like a tidal wave, an undeniable truth that had shaken the very foundation of their understanding.

A voice of one of the High Priests rang out first, carrying across the silent crowd.

"Congratulations, Divine Regent Qi Heng!"

Then, like an avalanche, the voices of other Divine Regents, Elders, and High-Ranking Figures followed suit.

"Congratulations, Old Qi!"

"What a joyous occasion!"

The arena, once filled with tension, erupted into waves of congratulations aimed toward the stunned Divine Regent Qi Heng. Yet, despite the praises, the True God himself stood frozen, his expression unreadable, his heart warring between emotions he could not name.

The weight of the moment was not lost on anyone.

Every level of Divine Essence represented an unfathomable gap in potential. It was the very foundation of how Divine Sons and Daughters were chosen. A single level difference was enough for a Divine Son to be discarded in favor of someone superior. It dictated how much of the godly power of their Kingdom could be passed down.

But a Perfect Divine Essence...

That was the absolute peak. A Perfect Divine Essence meant full inheritance of a True God's power, ensuring that, should Pan Buwang ascend, he would wield the complete strength of a True God.

It wasn't just an honor—it was an unquestionable rise in the strength of their entire Kingdom.

And yet, the one who awakened such perfection... was none other than the once-discarded former Divine Son, Pan Buwang.

Reactions varied throughout the arena.

Some were in awe. Some in disbelief. And some, like Pan Buzhuo, were drowning in silent horror.

Among the many factions present, a certain Elder from Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. His thoughts drifted back to that day in the Sinking Dream Valley, when he had once hesitated.

"I'm glad I listened to Divine Son Yuan's words... otherwise..."

A chill ran down his spine.

He didn't even want to think about the consequences. 

"Not only does he have Perfect Divine Essence, but his control over darkness profound energy is comparable—if not superior—to Old Qi as well..." Hua Fuchen, who had remained silent until now, finally voiced his thoughts aloud.

His words fell like thunder.

The implications alone sent ripples through the audience, but before anyone could fully process what he had just revealed, a voice rang out—Hua Caili.

"Higher control over darkness profound energy than the Divine Regent himself?!"

Her astonishment carried through the grand hall, her voice reverberating off the towering walls, stunning everyone once again.

It was as if, one by one, all had overlooked the obvious—until Hua Caili's words struck them with undeniable clarity.

"Then... isn't he the most perfect person to inherit the Owl Butterfly Divine God's Source...?"

A hushed silence fell upon the entire arena.

The weight of her remark pressed down on the members of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom. Expressions ranged from stunned disbelief to overwhelming realization. Some elders clenched their fists, while others widened their eyes in pure shock.

But no one reacted as viscerally as Pan Buzhuo.

His legs buckled.

"Thud!"

He collapsed onto the ground, his entire body trembling. His breath came in ragged gasps, his face pale as though all the life had been drained from it.

He had lost.

No, he had been utterly defeated.

Though he had not fought Pan Buwang directly, the sheer reality that unfolded before him had crushed him beyond any possible redemption.

The Divine Regent, his father, the entire Kingdom—all their expectations, all their hopes, all their faith—had already shifted away from him.

Pan Buzhuo could feel it.

The cold, creeping despair.

He could already see his future fading into oblivion.

Every elder who had once supported Pan Buwang, only to betray him when Pan Buzhuo awakened his Nine Divine Essence, now wore grim expressions. The tides had turned once more, and their previous decision had backfired spectacularly. Now, all they could do was beg for forgiveness and hope for the best.

From where he sat, Yun Che gazed at Pan Buwang, his eyes carrying an unreadable glint. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice steady.

"Pan Buwang is like a Prince of Darkness—Perfect Divine Essence, perfect control over dark profound energy."

His remark, filled with acknowledgment, rippled through the arena like a quiet storm. But before the weight of his words could settle, laughter erupted.

"Sure, Yuan'er… and you're just like him—no, even more perfect than that! You're the Prince of Perfect Dream! Ahahaha!"

The laughter belonged to Dreamless Divine Regent, Meng Kongchan, his voice carrying pride and amusement.

The title, however, sent a shockwave through the crowd.

Everyone stiffened.

But could they deny it?

No.

Pan Buwang was indeed the Prince of Darkness, a rare prodigy of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom. But Meng Jianyuan—Yun Che—stood on an entirely different level.

Against all logic, he had crushed Divine Limited Realm enemies as a mere Divine Master, displayed absurd comprehension, wielded Light Profound Energy to heal and Dragon Soul Suppression to dominate, and even now, his rate of growth was unparalleled.

It was undeniable.

Outside of the High Priests and the Abyssal Monarch, there was no doubt—Meng Jianyuan would be the strongest among all Divine Sons.

And in the future…

All would have to bow their heads.

But now, a question loomed over the arena—who would be second after Meng Jianyuan?

Among the Divine Sons and Daughters, Dian Jiuzhi from Boundless End wielded the terrifying Divine Vein of Great Rage, granting him unparalleled explosive power in battle. Hua Caili from Heaven Breaker possessed Perfect Divine Essence, marking her as an undeniable prodigy. And Shen Wuyi of Eternal Night bore both the Nine Worlds Profound Exquisite Body and the Heart of Glazed Glass, a legendary combination that had yet to reveal its full potential.

And now, standing among them was Pan Buwang, whose Perfect Divine Essence and absolute mastery over darkness defied all previous expectations.

But did the second place even need to be debated?

Of course not.

If all rumors regarding Shen Wuyi's talent and growth were true, then aside from Meng Jianyuan, there was no one who could rival her. She was a monster in her own right.

As these realizations settled into everyone's minds, the Abyssal Monarch's voice rang out, snapping them from their thoughts.

"Since the battle between the Star and Moon Divine Kingdoms and the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom has concluded, those who wish to depart may do so. The next round of combat will be hosted soon."

With the decree made, Divine Regent Qi Heng wasted no time. He immediately bowed and took the heavily injured Pan Buwang away, his face unreadable.

Pan Buwang did not resist his father's power as he allowed his injured body to be carried away, his eyes slowly closing. Today, he had gambled with his own life—and though he had barely escaped death, he had accomplished exactly what his master had instructed him to do.

"Just as you wanted… Shenwu Yanye… Shen Wuyi… your end will arrive soon."

The thought echoed in his fading consciousness as exhaustion finally pulled him into deep sleep.

Following behind their lord, the remaining members of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom bowed respectfully to the Abyssal Monarch and the High Priests before departing. No one spared a glance at Pan Buzhuo, who, unlike the others, silently separated from the group. His battered body barely held together as he flew off in another direction, his once-arrogant aura now tainted with humiliation and despair.

Meanwhile, the dragons, who had watched the battle unfold with growing unease, exchanged silent glances. The longer they remained, the more suffocating the presence of the human prodigies became. Without a word, they too bowed to the Monarch and High Priests, then swiftly departed toward their living quarters, vanishing into the distance.

Carrying their injured bodies, Sha Xing and Xian Yue bowed respectfully before the Moon and Star Divine Regents.

"Divine Regents... we—"

"It's alright," the two Divine Regents interrupted, their gazes firm but not unkind. "You have shown the might of our Kingdoms. If not for Divine Son Buwang's madness, the outcome could have been different."

Their words rang true. Sha Xing and Xian Yue had always shared a friendly connection with Pan Buwang, particularly Sha Xing, who had even granted him the opportunity to enter Pure Land in the first place.

Since this was not a battle to the death, neither of them had gone all out, opting to conserve their strength. Pan Buwang, however, had played with his very life—gambling everything for victory. If Sha Xing and Xian Yue had fought with the same desperation, the result might have been entirely different.

"Yes, Divine Regents," the two responded, bowing once more before quietly channeling their profound energy to heal themselves, wiping the blood from their mouths.

Just as they steadied themselves, their gazes shifted to the arena, where two new figures were slowly descending onto the stage—one a woman, the other a man.

The next battle was about to begin.

From the stands, Yun Che sat in silence, his eyes locked onto Xia Qingyue as she gracefully landed on the arena floor. For the past month, his mind had been consumed by thoughts of her—seeking solutions, trying to piece together the truth. He was certain that upon her fall into the Abyss, she had lost her memories. And now, if she lost this battle, she would be forced into an engagement with Dian Jiuzhi.

There was no way for him to interfere.

A deep sense of helplessness settled over him as his fists clenched tightly. His nightmare was about to begin.