Against the Gods

Meng Chaoyang had been standing silently behind Yun Che all this time. Suddenly, the man raised his eyes and stared at Yun Che’s back, a look of surprise and confusion gradually gathering between his brows.

Long Zhiming, who had been averting his gaze in shame up until this point, naturally sensed the unusual atmosphere and looked back as well.

Just then, Yun Che closed his eyes. His expression remained unchanged, though his chest rose and fell silently for an instant. Then, he forcibly suppressed the reaction and returned to perfect calmness.

As Yun Che closed his eyes, Long Wangchu’s body trembled violently as if he had suddenly awakened from a bone-chilling nightmare. He stumbled backward, his entire body drenched in cold sweat, and his face as white as a sheet.

“Er... is something...” Long Zhiming had already risen to his feet. He asked hesitantly, “Divine Son Yuan, is... is something amiss?”

Having interacted with Yun Che several times on the Pure Land, Long Zhiming deeply sensed that he was a man of unwavering will, but also humble and principled at heart. He would surely not deign to take offense at Long Wangchu’s discourtesy.

When Yun Che opened his eyes again, the darkness was gone like it never was, and a gentle, serene smile was playing at the corners of his lips. “Brother Wangchu’s Ancestral Dragon bloodline is exceptionally pure. It actually stirred the bloodline within me as you drew near.

“To feel such a resonance without ever having met or known the other person is truly a strange feeling.”

The curve on his lips widened slightly, and his smile grew even gentler. “Unable to suppress the stirrings within me, I had briefly released a portion of my dragon soul in search for a resonance of soul power. Yet, in my rashness, I ended up startling Brother Wangchu instead. I hope that the Dragon Lord and Brother Wangchu will not hold it against me.”

Long Wangchu opened his mouth, but could not speak. He was clearly still shaken by the experience.

“I see.” Long Zhiming slowly sat back down, all traces of doubt vanishing from his face. He sighed softly. “Ai. I shall be frank with you, Divine Son Yuan, Dream Lord Chaoyang. This old man’s wayward son, though of pure lineage, possessed mediocre natural talent. His personality is even more....”

He shook his head, too ashamed to continue. “Though Divine Son Yuan is of the human race, I’m sure that, from what I had sensed that day, the Ancestral Dragon bloodline and divine soul you possess are likely far older and purer than my own. How can my wayward son possibly hope to compare to you?

“To test him with your dragon soul—you have truly overestimated him, Divine Son Yuan.”

Clearly, though the Dragon Lord had devoted every ounce of his energy to Long Wangchu’s future, beneath layers upon layers of endless disappointment, he saw no need to hold back his scathing rebukes and scoldings whatsoever.

Meanwhile, Long Wangchu had only just regained his composure and instinctively wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead. When he heard Long Zhiming saying, “The Ancestral Dragon bloodline and divine soul you possess are likely far older and purer than my own,” he could not help but gape in astonishment.

Long Wangchu was so lacking he could not even prevent his emotions from spilling out. He showed not a shred of composure and dignity befitting the heir of the Dragon Lord, so much so that Long Zhiming could hardly contain his urge to kick him hard right in front of their distinguished guests.

“Senior Dragon Lord, please do not speak that way.” Yun Che interceded, “To the Ancestral Dragons, Brother Wang Chu is still young. As the saying goes, ‘accumulate slowly and deliver sparingly.’ Perhaps one day, Brother Wangchu’s draconic orifices will suddenly open, and he will soar to the ninth heaven and achieve greatness surpassing even that of you, Senior Dragon Lord.”

“Right... right, right!” These all-too-welcome words instantly dispelled the lingering fear within Long Wangchu as he exclaimed excitedly, “My peers in the clan said the exact same thing! They say that I’m a late bloomer who will achieve greatness in the future!”

“That’s not all,” Yun Che said with a smile. “When we’ve reached the Eternal Pure Land, free from the corrosion and constraints of abyssal dust, the dragon race will surely soar to the heavens, rise above the firmament, and once again shine with a glory that surpasses all other beings. When the time comes, Brother Wangchu will become the pioneer and leader of a new fate and era of the dragon race. Your name will surely be immortalized in the annals of the dragon race’s history[1].”

Long Wangchu’s face flushed red in an instant, and his limbs trembled with excitement... He was accustomed to Long Zhiming’s disappointment and scolding; and he had never heard such lavish praise and adulation in his life.

Moreover, these words hadn’t come from a peer who needed to flatter him to stay in his and his father’s good graces. It had come from the Divine Son Yuan, the perfect God Bearer of Dreamweaver and currently the most renowned figure among the six Kingdoms of God.

The fear and dread he had felt moments ago had completely vanished. Instead, he gazed at Yun Che with eyes brimming with excitement, realizing for the first time in his life what it truly meant to find a kindred spirit he wished he could have met sooner.

Long Zhiming shook his head with a smile. He knew Yun Che’s words were merely polite courtesies, but it didn’t change that they were quite pleasing to the ears. After all, no matter how wretched Long Wangchu might be now, he was still his only son—the sole choice and hope of the Ancestral Dragon lineage.

“Wangchu will engrave every word you have said in his heart, Divine Son Yuan. In the future... When I have become the Dragon Lord and led the dragon race back to the pinnacle of glory, I promise that Divine Son Yuan will be Long Wangchu and the dragon race’s best friend.”

Carried away by his own enthusiasm, he spoke without restraint and a flushed complexion. He looked as if he could already envision himself standing in the Eternal Pure Land, commanding respect and looking down upon all living beings.

“Enough, enough. Shut your mouth before you embarrass yourself. Since you’ve met Divine Son Yuan, you may withdraw now.”

Long Zhiming’s face had been weathered by countless years of trial, and still he could not bear to listen to his son’s spiel any longer. At least he had already accomplished his goal of showing Long Wangchu before Yun Che. Yun Che’s attitude toward Long Wangchu had left him pleasantly surprised as well.

Long Wangchu even had the gall to look reluctant as he took his leave.

“Ai. I’m sorry that my disappointing son has caused our distinguished guests some embarrassment,” Long Zhiming sighed once more.

“Not at all, Dragon Lord.” Yun Che said as he lowered his gaze slightly. A faint smile was playing at the corners of his mouth, but his eyes held a mysterious, sombre glint. “I actually think that Brother Wangchu... is doing quite well.”

Having said this, Yun Che suddenly stood up. “Senior, May I go pay my respects to Long Jiang... that is, Long Xi now?”

He had only just entered the main hall, yet he was already asking to leave. Though Long Zhiming was taken aback, he had no reason to refuse. “Haha, Divine Son Yuan is indeed a man of deep loyalty and honor, to be so eager. Very well. This old man will personally escort you there.”

“It is merely a personal matter, how could I possibly trouble Senior Dragon Lord for this?” Yun Che declined modestly. “Besides, Long Xi might feel constrained with you by my side. It would suffice to have a guard lead me.”

Long Zhiming pondered briefly before nodding. “I see... Very well.”

His gaze turned outward, and a draconic roar shook the heavens. “Qianxin, you shall personally escort Divine Son Yuan to the forbidden zone where Long Xi resides. It is fine to see him off from a distance; do not disturb him up close.”

“Yes.” A distant dragon’s roar echoed in response.

Stepping out of the Ancestral Dragon Hall, Yun Che followed Long Qianxin as they passed through layer upon layer of mountains, drawing near to Long Xi’s location.

His expression was calm, and his eyes were as still as dead water. He remained silent the entire way, never once casting his gaze down to observe the myriad activities of the dragon race below.

“What’s... wrong with you?” Li Suo’s voice carried deep concern. “To be enraged... to this extent.”

Rage so hot it could not possibly burn hotter, yet suppressed so thoroughly that not a hint could leak outside. It was literally tearing open thousands of cracks in Yun Che’s internal organs and soul sea.

Even now, it showed not the slightest sign of abating.

Yun Che offered no response.

On the surface, he appeared unusually calm, but only Li Suo knew that within his soul, a churning abyss of fury was raging, as if ten thousand devils were howling at the same time... it was such a stark contrast to his usual self that Li Suo, for the first time since regaining her consciousness, experienced a sensation bordering on “palpitations.”

She dared not ask him a second time.

The only thing she could be certain of was that this sudden, explosive rage had arisen when he was facing Long Wangchu... or more accurately, even before the dragon had shown up. The moment his aura drew near, his heartstrings had already snapped taut.

Long Qianxin stopped ahead.

It was a barren, desolate region surrounded by low mountains.

Bare rocks lay scattered about, creating a bleak and desolate scene. The encircling peaks seemed to have firmly trapped the endless solitude within this barren, lifeless expanse.

Only the wind pierced through the mountain walls, wailing mournfully, its chill piercing to the bone.

“Divine Son Yuan, we have arrived at Long Xi’s permanent residence. This is a mountainous region the Dragon Lord had personally bestowed upon her. He had declared it a forbidden zone to all dragons and even set up the barrier himself. None may enter without Long X’s permission—not even the Dragon Lord himself.”

Gazing ahead, eyes reflecting the desolate, barren landscape, Yun Che replied calmly with an inscrutable expression, “The Dragon Lord truly favors her.”

“Indeed,” Long Qianxin agreed. “But then again, Long Xi certainly deserves such treatment from the Dragon Lord.”

Without further ado, Long Qianxin stepped aside. “Long Xi had been staying in the mountain range recently, but she is extremely reclusive and eccentric. Even the Dragon Lord finds it exceedingly difficult to see her. So... good luck, Divine Son Yuan.” His tone carried a hint of resignation, clearly implying that, even if he was the Dreamweaver Divine Son, no one could force the matter if Long Xi did not wish to see him.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a gap just wide enough for a single person to pass through suddenly opened in the silent barrier.

Long Qianxin immediately broke into a smile. “It seems that Divine Son Yuan and Long Xi truly share a deep bond. Please, head inside. Should you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Yun Che stepped forward, but just before entering the barrier, he suddenly halted and said in a calm voice, “Dream Lord Chaoyang, can you please cast another barrier? No one... is allowed to peer inside.”

A little surprised but finding no problems with the request, Meng Chaoyang waved his hand and enveloped the entire mountain range with a barrier shimmering with faint, silver light. Should anyone come into contact with it—whether physically or through perception—they would surely suffer a soul backlash and alert those within the barrier.

After he was cut off from the outside world, Yun Che abruptly lost his composure and closed his eyes, tilting his head back and clenching his fists so tightly that every knuckle twisted and trembled violently until they cracked and bled.

“Huff...”

He took several long, ragged breaths before finally managing to steady his composure. He then lifted his foot and stepped into the desolate wasteland within the barrier.

Thud...

Thud...

His footsteps sounded exceptionally heavy; each one felt as though he was treading upon his own heart.

His daughter’s figure appeared in his line of sight, still clad in a loose-fitting gray robe and radiating a cold, oppressive loneliness that rejected all beings... For some reason, she seemed to flicker in and out of focus with his footsteps.

Her back was facing toward him. She was kneeling quietly before a tombstone.

The area was strewn with jumbled rocks and desolation, yet the single tombstone stood upright, spotless and untouched.

There was no name on the tombstone, nor any inscription whatsoever.

Yun Che didn’t know when he had stopped walking. He simply stood there, staring at her in silence—at the daughter he had with Shen Xi. A thousand emotions choked his throat... yet for a long time, he couldn’t utter a single word or make a sound.

Finally, at a certain moment, she slowly turned around.

The first thing that met his gaze were still those two terrifying, crisscrossing scars.

She extended her hand toward Yun Che. Her slender wrist looked as white as snow, almost devoid of color, and her voice remained as cold and distant as ever, almost piercing to the bone.

“The item I asked for... the Primal Flame Crystal.”

Yun Che finally managed to speak, but his voice was hoarse. “Is that... the price you paid for staying... in this so-called refuge?”

The first time he saw Yun Xi, he had already noticed her abnormal depletion of her blood essence. It had not changed when they met again at the Dreamweaver Kingdom of God.

Yun Xi had never given him an answer, so he could only assume it was due to her excessive obsession—a willingness to drain herself dry in pursuit of her goal—that resulted in the severe damage to her body.

That belief lasted until he detected her blood essence on Long Wangchu’s body.

Though faint, though long since refined... how could he fail to recognize it? How could he possibly be mistaken?

The records of the Xuanji Hall stated that Long Wangchu, young master of the dragon race, possessed extremely dull innate talent. Even after all of the top-tier resources the dragon race had poured into his cultivation, he barely managed to break through to the Divine Master Realm at the age of six sexagenary years.

But after that, as if aided by divine intervention, he had risen from the first level of the Divine Master Realm to the eighth level in just a few decades, causing even the Kingdoms of God a small amount of surprise. That was why it had been speculated that he might have awakened his latent potential, and that his future held some promise.

It was only now Yun Che finally realized exactly what had happened to Yun Xi; what cruel price she had had to pay to earn the special treatment she was receiving.

Yun Xi furrowed her brows slightly and, realizing he must have seen Long Wangchu, remained as unmoved and indifferent as ever. “It was a fair trade—both parties consented.”

Terrifying bloodshot veins spread across Yun Che’s eyes as his voice became hoarse and unrecognizable. “You are... my daughter....”

“So what?” A hint of sarcasm tinged Yun Xi’s icy voice. “Are you trying to tell me that, since my body and flesh came from my parents, even though you’ve never raised me, protected me, or witnessed a single day of my growth, I have no right to dispose of my blood essence without your consent?”

“......” Yun Che slowly closed his eyes, his chest so painful that he was suffocating.

Yun Xi moved her outstretched hand a little closer. “If you truly care about me as much as your expression suggests right now, then give me the Primal Flame Crystal. If you do, forget calling you father, I will even kowtow to you a hundred times without hesitation.”

A cold wind blew, bringing endless desolation and sorrow.

Yun Che struggled to open his eyes; the bloodshot veins nearly covering his entire eyeballs at this point. “Tell me—what exactly do you intend to use the Primal Flame for, and the Qilin Bone Spirit Orchid you had risked your life to obtain all those years ago?

“If you don’t explain it clearly, then I won’t give it to you even if I find it!”

His voice had grown slightly clearer, yet it carried a chill that seemed to seep into the very marrow of one’s bones.

Yun Xi looked at him for a long moment, but ultimately said, “Wind, Fire, Thunder, Water, Earth. When all Five Spirit Treasures are found, the Dragon Lord will mobilize the entire race’s strength—using the Five Spirit Treasures as the catalyst—to activate the Great Ancient Dragon Formation. It will gather all of the spirit essences of the five elements in heaven and earth and, with this most primordial and pure essences, gradually heal mother’s slumbering, fragmented soul until her life and body are fully restored.

“This, too, is a fair trade between us.

“It is also the only possibility—the only hope to save mother!”

Yun Che looked into her eyes, overwhelming longing and excitement lurking beneath that icy gaze... and remained motionless for a very, very long time, saying nothing.

“So...” Yun Xi’s voice grew heavier. “Have you found the Primal Flame Crystal or not?”

“......” Yun Che’s neck tensed as he slowly shook his head, his movements slow and stiff.

Like a million stars vanishing in the dead of the night, the light in Yun Xi’s eyes vanished in an instant, leaving only endless gloom and disappointment.

“Don’t worry...” he said slowly, “I’ve given you my promise, and I will certainly deliver. As I told you before, finding a Primal Flame Crystal may be a pipe dream for others, but for me... it’s a mere trifle.”

As he finished speaking, he suddenly spun around so that Yun Xi would not be able to see his eyes.

“I came here today for two reasons. First, to see you. Second... I have an additional condition.

“Before I bring you the Primal Flame Crystal, you must not set foot outside the Ancestral Dragon Mountain Range no matter what. Otherwise, even if I can find it, I will not give it to you... You can do it for your mother’s sake, right?”

“... ?” Staring at his back and frowning deeply, Yun Xi opened her mouth to say something. However, Yun Che had already stepped out of sight, disappearing beyond the barrier.

All that remained imprinted in her eyes was a desolate silhouette—one that lingered for a long time, stirring her soul in a way she could not quite name.

1. In Chinese we call it “被安排的明明白白”. ☜