Against the Gods - Volume 08 - Cloud's End Mirage

by Mars Gravity

  Yun Che, “…”

  Yun Che’s gaze looked towards the far north… That was the direction of the Profound Sky Continent. Unknowingly, it had already been several months since he left there.

  Right now, it was finally time to return.

  Xuanyuan Wentian, all the debts, it is also time to end them all!

  Profound Sky Continent, Divine Phoenix Empire, Phoenix City.

  The Phoenix City which was destroyed by Jasmine a few months ago still carried the same tattered look and from the looks of it, only simple repairs had been done on the exterior. The Phoenix City, which was usually filled with a searing hot atmosphere, was presently cast with lifelessness. Looking from the sky above, it was even near impossible to see any moving figures.

  “How can this be… Where did all the people of Phoenix City go?”

  Because Feng Xue’er was worried about the situation of Divine Phoenix Sect, the coordinates which Yun Che and Xue’er jumped to, were exactly the sky above Phoenix City. However, what they saw was utter desolateness.

  “Don’t be anxious. Compared to a few months ago, there isn’t a large increase in traces of destruction in Phoenix City, maybe… Let’s first head down to ask around.”

  Yun Che pulled Feng Xue’er’s small hand which was tightly clenched due to anxiety and brought her straight down, landing in front of the elderly man who had the strongest profound aura remaining in Phoenix City.

  That elderly man seemed to be in a daze because of some matters and he quickly took a few steps back out of shock due to Yun Che’s and Xue’er’s sudden appearance. The moment he saw Feng Xue’er, he shockingly widened his old eyes. “Prin… Prin… Princess Snow? It’s… It’s really you? I’m not… dreaming, right?”

  Then, he suddenly saw Yun Che next to Feng Xue’er and his pair of eyes had almost popped out of their eye sockets. “You…”

  The people of the Profound Sky Continent had all believed that Yun Che was already dead.

  “Thirty-third Elder, it’s me! Where’s royal father? Quickly tell me where have royal father and the rest gone to?” Feng Xue’er anxiously asked and her body lightly shrank from fear, afraid of hearing the answer which she was terrified to think about.

  “Sect Master, he… He…” Thirty-third Elder took a deep breath. “He, along with Grand Sect Master and the rest, have gone to Supreme Ocean Palace.”

  “…” Feng Xue’er’s body instantly softened, her entire body leaned against Yun Che’s chest, as she finally heaved a long sigh of relief between her lips.

  Yun Che really wanted to step up and send thirty-three ruthless slaps to this Thirty-third Elder. If they have gone to Supreme Ocean Palace, then say they have gone to the Supreme Ocean Palace. It’s not like they have gone down to the netherworld, why the hell did he take in such a big breath for!? Look at how you frightened my Xue’er.

  “Supreme Ocean Palace?” Yun Che’s brows twitched. “Why did they go there?”

  The Thirty-third Elder was still a little shocked when facing the “resurrected” Yun Che and he only replied a few moments later. “It’s the Heavenly Sovereign Conference… Xuanyuan Wentian’s Heavenly Sovereign Conference. Xuanyuan Wentian will be conferring himself as the Profound Sky Supreme Lord in the Heavenly Sovereign Conference… All of those who do not accept the invitations will be seen as going against the Heavenly Sovereign and have their sects and families massacred.”

  “Heavenly Sovereign Conference… Conferring himself as a Heavenly Sovereign, that sure is a great show of arrogance,” Yun Che coldly laughed and said, “When will this Heavenly Sovereign Conference begin?”

  “It’s today. Sect Master and the rest have already gone there several days ago.” This Thirty-third Elder had still yet to completely regain his senses.

  Today!?

  “Royal father, grandfather, great grandfather and the rest… Are they all alright?” Feng Xue’er still asked with slight worry. “During the time I wasn’t here, did Xuanyuan Wentian come here?”

  “No… However, the people of Mighty Heavenly Sword Region have visited several times and every single time, they would bring back a large amount of profound crystals, medicine and pellets. We have no choice but to comply with them.” Fear emitted out of the Thirty-third Elder’s eyes. “Somehow, that Xuanyuan Wentian had basically become even more terrifying than the ghost god of legends. I heard that previously, when the other three Sacred Masters, who held the same status as him, combined their strengths, they were still miserably defeated by him alone.”

  “Even his personality, according to rumors, has become exceptionally cruel and violent. Anyone or any sect that had the slightest thoughts of not submitting to him, was massacred by Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. Even several people belonging to Absolute Monarch Sanctuary, Supreme Ocean Palace and Sun Moon Divine Hall have died at Xuanyuan Wentian’s hands. I’m afraid that it’s not much longer until the three Sacred Grounds will have no choice but to shrink back and submit under Xuanyuan Wentian as well… Aah, from today on, there will no longer be four Sacred Masters in the Profound Sky Continent. After Xuanyuan Wentian becomes the Heavenly Sovereign, it will be hard to predict just what will happen to the Profound Sky Continent and it will be hard to predict just what will happen to our Divine Phoenix Sect as well.”

  The Four Great Sacred Grounds had initially coexisted while mutually restraining each other. It was hard for one to dominate over the other and no one dared to act too recklessly. Now that Xuanyuan Wentian has turned into a devil god, far surpassing the other three Sacred Masters, the balance being broken was just a secondary matter. Xuanyuan Wentian’s personality was becoming even more twisted under the influence of the dark profound energy, turning even more violent and brutal. To the Profound Sky Continent, his power was an incomparably terrifying disaster and it was becoming even more terrifying with each passing day.

  “Xue’er, we’re going to Supreme Ocean Palace!”

  Yun Che pulled on Feng Xue’er and instantly disappeared within the dimensional rift, leaving behind a completely stunned Phoenix Elder.

  The Primordial Profound Ark once again leapt, instantly arriving above the ocean region of Supreme Ocean Palace from Phoenix City.

  Directly south from their lines of sight, they could see a floating island enveloped by a shallow blue glow at first glance. However, compared to when Yun Che first visited Supreme Ocean Palace, the blue light surrounding the floating island evidently showed slight hints of chaos.

  Beneath their feet was a small circular island and a spatial profound formation was flashing at the center of the small island. Yun Che recalled that this island was named “Ocean Eye Isle” and when he first visited Supreme Ocean Palace, he was first sent to this small island, before flying towards the floating island on his own.

  “It’s Supreme Ocean Palace,” Feng Xue’er lightly muttered, as she looked at it with startled eyes. It was unclear if she was worried about Feng Hengkong and the rest or if she had recalled the scene when they first came here.

  “It has been less than a year and I never expected that I would actually come back here again,” Yun Che said. The first time he met Xuanyuan Wentian was in Supreme Ocean Palace as well.

  “Xuanyuan Wentian… is indeed a terrifying figure. Ambition, talent, schemes, ruthlessness, patience and opportunities… He should have possessed all the things he needed by now. However, unfortunately, on his very last step, he turned into a madman who has lost both his body and mind…” Yun Che seemed to be muttering to himself.

  The Heavenly Sovereign Conference today was the moment where he would enjoy his fruits of labour to the fullest.

  “Big Brother Yun, are we going head over directly?” Feng Xue’er asked.

  Yun Che pondered for a moment and said. “Let’s still conceal our presence and approach carefully. Let’s first investigate the situation in the ocean palace. Xue’er, let’s head up.”

  Just as Yun Che and Feng Xue’er were about to rise into the air, the spatial profou
nd formation on the Ocean Eye Isle beneath them suddenly flashed with white light and two figures walked out one after the other.

  “Hahahaha.” The white-robed youth walking at the front, suddenly raised his head and laughed out loud the moment he stepped out of the profound formation. “Look at this broad ocean region. This young master has finally understood why father has chosen this place. With the vastness of this blue ocean, there’s truly nowhere one could escape to.”

  “Hoho.” The elderly following behind the youth laughed as well. “But with Lord Sword Master’s present divine might, if he doesn’t wish for anyone to flee, who can truly escape from the hands of Lord Sword Master?”

  Yun Che’s and Feng Xue’er’s figures stopped at the same time, as their gazes landed at the two people below them. The youth had the profound strength of a late-stage Overlord, while the elderly was a level seven Monarch. Their two bodies were surging with sword aura.

  “Xuanyuan Wendao!” Yun Che recited in a low tone, his eyes instantly darkened.

  The male youth walking at the front, was actually Xuanyuan Wentian’s son… his only son—Xuanyuan Wendao!!

  Though the former Xuanyuan Wendao carried a lofty look, he had basically stayed passive aggressive. While in the presence of other people, he was still considered to be cautious and would occasionally display a meek side as well.

  However, the present Xuanyuan Wendao was suffused with arrogance and majesty. His eyes, his tone, not one of them was not madly arrogant in the least. He was basically like an emperor who was pointing at his country and dominating over the world. Not a single thing in the world could enter his eyes.

  And this change, naturally came from Xuanyuan Wentian’s world-enveloping might.

  “Hmph, that’s natural. However, there are still several disobedient people. These laughable idiots are still daydreaming about resisting father. Today, Father will let them know what true power is. Those disobedient idiots will know what despair is and their blood, will most likely dye this blue ocean palace in fresh red.”

  “Lord Sword Master… Oh, that’s not it. How could mere mortals possibly go against the might of the Heavenly Sovereign? Once Lord Sword Master truly becomes the first Heavenly Sovereign of the Profound Sky Continent today, then, Young Master will become the first Young Sovereign Master of the Profound Sky Continent. In the future, this entire world will belong to Young Sovereign Master as well,” the elderly flattered with a face filled with smiles.

  “Hahahahaha!” Xuanyuan Wendao laughed out arrogantly. “Not just the Profound Sky Continent! Once the Heavenly Sovereign Conference is completed and once those disobedient people have found out the consequences, father will immediately rebuild the profound formation and head over to the Illusory Demon Realm. Once that time comes, the Illusory Demon Realm will kneel down and submit or be destroyed!”

  “Heh heh, the beautiful dream you father and son share, is truly a heartfelt one.”

  Amidst Xuanyuan Wentian’s wild laughter, an ice-cold voice that carried deep ridicule suddenly rang in his ears, causing the hair in his entire body to instantly stand on ends. “Who is it!?”

  Boom!!!

  Amidst the sudden explosive loud noise, the elderly man who was following behind Xuanyuan Wendao, a powerful level seven Monarch, was sent flying away like a tattered cabbage without being able to let out a single scream in time, landing in the ocean several kilometers away. As for Xuanyuan Wendao who turned around, he finally saw the faces of Yun Che and Feng Xue’er clearly.

  His eyes instantly widened out of fear. “You… You two… Urgh!”

  Before Xuanyuan Wendao could roar out in time, Yun Che’s hand had already locked tightly onto his neck, preventing him from making a sound. Even the slightest groan could not be heard.

  “Young Master Xuanyuan, it has truly been a long time.” Yun Che coldly smiled as he raised Xuanyuan Wendao up. “I was just contemplating what welcome gift I should bring for Xuanyuan Wentian when you just happened to obediently send yourself to my doorstep.”

  Chapter 900: Heavenly Sovereign Conference

  “Don’t show such a terrified expression, I didn’t say I am going to kill you,” Yun Che said with a grin. “If I were to let you die so easily…”

  Yun Che’s eyes instantly turned cold and his voice sounded like a bone-piercing sharp blade, piercing into Xuanyuan Wendao’s soul. “How will I be able to face Uncle Xiao up in the heavens!?”

  Crack! Bang!!

  Yun Che gripped his right hand and a large bone in Xuanyuan Wendao’s throat was instantly shattered, while his left hand had also fiercely smashed onto his chest. With a dull sound, Xuanyuan Wendao’s body severely shook as an insidious profound energy heartlessly infiltrated his profound veins. In the blink of an eye, his profound veins were completely destroyed with all the profound energy stored within completely annihilated; not a single strand of it escaped.

  Ever since he grasped darkness profound energy, he had gotten more efficient with his ability to cripple one’s profound veins.

  Furthermore, the several people he had crippled recently all had both their profound strength and profound veins crippled, preventing them from even cultivating all the way from the beginning again.

  …Most probably, these actions more or less carried his resentment of having crippled profound veins back then.

  The fear in Xuanyuan Wendao’s eyes turned into deep despair the moment his profound veins were crippled… Just a moment before, he was still having a far-off dream of becoming the lord of the world. However, in just a few breaths of time, this beautiful dream that had yet to be fulfilled had completely turned into a nightmare.

  Yun Che’s grip loosened and Xuanyuan Wendao fell limply to the ground like a dead dog. Not killing him, was not because Yun Che wanted to use him to threaten Xuanyuan Wentian… nor was there such a need.

  He was the person who killed Xiao Ying back then and also the main culprit who caused the tragedy in the Xiao Family. His life, should be judged by the Xiao Family!

  After kicking Xuanyuan Wendao into the Primordial Profound Ark, Yun Che, along with Feng Xue’er, rose into the air, continuing to soar until they were three kilometers higher than Supreme Ocean Palace before heading southward.

  The ocean region of the southern ocean was not calm today. Waves were rising all around on the ocean surface and a large part of the sky was covered by thick clouds. Yun Che and Feng Xue’er quickly arrived above the ocean palace and as Yun Che had expected, that thick and chaotic profound energy came from the center of the Sea God Arena of the ocean palace… Just like the Devil Sword Conference back then, Xuanyuan Wentian decided to choose the same location to host the Heavenly Sovereign Conference this time.

  Yun Che and Feng Xue’er shortened their distance from the Sea God Arena to ten kilometers before finally stopping. The two of them hid themselves above the layers of clouds. Though they were separated by ten kilometers, with their eyesight, it was enough to clearly see the scenes occurring in the Sea God Arena.

  “Let’s settle down here then. If we approach any further, it will be easy for Xuanyuan Wentian to notice.”

  While Yun Che said that, his arm wrapped around Feng Xue’er’s gentle waist as he activated Hidden Flowing Lightning, quickly concealing their auras.

  “It’s royal father and the others!” Feng Xue’er lightly called out in excitement, her eyes landing on the southern side of the Sea God Arena. Over there, she saw Feng Zukui, Feng Tianwei and Feng Hengkong’s figure and behind them was almost the entire line-up of Elder-level figures of Divine Phoenix Sect.

  However, Feng Ximing was not among them.

  Seeing that they were safe and sound with her own eyes, Feng Xue’er’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally calmed down.

  Yun Che swept his eyes quickly around the Sea God Arena. The Devil Sword Conference back then gathered almost all the top-notch experts in the Profound Sky Continent and could be said to be the biggest event in the history of the Profo
und Sky Continent. However, the scale of this so-called Heavenly Sovereign Conference, had actually even surpassed the Devil Sword Conference. The large half of the Sea God Arena which was left empty back then, was already filled to the brim when the Heavenly Sovereign Conference had even yet to begin.

  The sects which were invited to the Devil Sword Conference were basically all present. On the other hand, those which did not participate in the Devil Sword Conference but were all prominent powers in their own respective regions, made up a larger number. Other than the forces in the profound realm, Yun Che had clearly spotted the powers belonging to the royal families of various nations, along with various large economic powers!

  The royal family powers representing the seven nations of the Profound Sky Continent were all present! And this included Blue Wind Empire, which was made up of several dozen people led by Dongfang Xiu and Qin Wushang.

  Thirty or so merchant guilds were present and every single one of them was well-known in the continent.

  Very evidently, for this so-called “Heavenly Sovereign Conference,” not only did Xuanyuan Wentian want to confer on himself the title of Heavenly Sovereign in the profound way… he clearly wanted to become the “Heavenly Sovereign” of the entire continent!

  The atmosphere of this Heavenly Sovereign Conference was also worlds apart from the Devil Sword Conference. Back then, no one had realized that he or she would actually be reduced to mere tools for Xuanyuan Wentian to release the seal on the devil sword and they attended the conference in order to “participate” and “watch.” Back then, though they were tense, at the same time, they were excited and filled with expectations. This time, however, the entire Sea God Arena felt like it had been covered in a large cauldron, enveloped by a layer of incomparably heavy atmosphere.

  The powers, royal families, and merchant guilds from the seven nations were all neatly and tensely seated with fearful expressions, not even daring to take in a huge breath.