"What… did you just say?"
A look of disbelief—almost unimaginable on his face—flickered across Mo Su's expression. After millions of years in the Abyss, he had long since buried all hope of saving Pan Xiaodie. And now, someone dared to speak such outrageous words aloud.
"I'm guessing," Yun Che said calmly, "that when you entered the God Realm, you had another motive—seeking out the God of Life to help you find a way to save Pan Xiaodie. Maybe you hoped there was a miracle hidden in the laws of life itself. Unfortunately, the True Gods have perished, and the spirit of the Xuantian treasure has collapsed. That dream must've died before it began."
Yun Che's words struck directly at Mo Su's heart, a bold counterattack against a being far stronger than himself.
To defy gods with a mortal body—
To rewrite fate with one's own hands—
That is true courage.
"You're not wrong," Mo Su said after a pause, his voice low. "Xiaodie carries the remnants of the Zhutian Ancestral Sword's energy within her. That sword is the supreme Xuantian treasure—its energy is nearly impossible to dissolve. But perhaps... with the miracle of life, as you said, there could've been a sliver of hope. That was indeed my intention, long ago."
"Today, I'm the only one who possesses both the Sky Poison Pearl and Light Profound Energy," Yun Che said, getting straight to the point. "Both have the power of purification. Maybe I can save Pan Xiaodie. But my current cultivation is far too low. The light profound energy I can channel is limited, and the poison spirit of the Sky Poison Pearl hasn't yet awakened. I estimate my current chance of success is no more than ten percent."
"I came from the God Realm. I crossed the Abyssal Passage, so I understand its dangers firsthand. Even with your cultivation, carrying Pan Xiaodie through it… you wouldn't be able to protect her."
"Back then, the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor personally inspected the Abyssal Passage. She told me herself—even she couldn't guarantee a safe crossing. That passage was created by the Ancestral God. Not even a Creation God can escape its chaos."
Yun Che laid everything out clearly, holding nothing back.
"With just a few words, you want me to abandon my goal of returning to the God Realm?" Mo Su laughed coldly. "Don't be naive. Even if I fail in the end, I'll make that decision myself—with no regrets!"
It was more than obsession—it had evolved into pure madness over the millennia. Nothing could shake him. Anyone who tried to stop him from saving Pan Xiaodie would be mercilessly destroyed.
"You misunderstood," Yun Che said, eyes steady. "I'm not trying to stop you. I'm saying that I have the ability to help Pan Xiaodie cross the Abyss safely—without suffering a single scratch."
He smiled slightly, growing more confident as Mo Su's reactions played out exactly as expected. "Take a look at this."
With a wave of his hand, a projection appeared between them—a crystalline coffin shining with pure light.
Mo Su's pupils shrank violently. "The Pivot of Eternity!"
His composure cracked. For the first time, he failed to hide his emotions. This was the artifact he had dreamed of for countless years. Though it held no special divine power, to him, it was more precious than anything else.
Currently, Mo Su had to keep the "Cradle" open at all times to preserve Pan Xiaodie's lifeforce. If he obtained the Pivot of Eternity, he could end that draining maintenance and pass through the Abyssal Passage without fear.
After Mu Xuanyin had awakened, the Pivot returned to Yun Che. And now, it served as the key to spanning a million years of history—from ancient times to the present.
"That's right," Yun Che said calmly. "The Eternal Pivot is in my hands. With it, I can guarantee Pan Xiaodie's safety. That's my sincerity. I'm not making empty promises—I have the power to help her. Perhaps even to cure her. But I'll need time."
Mo Su took a long, deep breath. The moment he saw the Pivot of Eternity, the killing intent around him visibly lessened. For the first time, he felt a strange realization—
Perhaps the only person who could truly save Pan Xiaodie… was standing right in front of him.
"How much time do you need?" Mo Su asked. "And what are your other conditions?"
"Forty years," Yun Che answered without hesitation. "During that time, you must not interfere with the God Realm. Stay in the Cradle. The Four Priests and the Abyss Knights are not to leave the Pure Land. No interference—none whatsoever."
"You're awfully direct." Mo Su chuckled. "You don't even bother to hide your goal—clearly, you're planning to move against the Divine Sources of the Six Nations."
His eyes gleamed with interest. "Very well. I'll grant you five years. If you can save Xiaodie by then, I'll accept all your terms. If not… you'll hand the Pivot over to me."
"Even with the God of Creation's legacy, I won't be able to grow my Light Profound Strength so drastically in just five years," Yun Che countered. "I'll need at least thirty."
Mo Su: "Eight."
Yun Che: "Twenty-five."
Mo Su: "Ten."
Yun Che: "Twenty."
Mo Su: "Twelve. No more."
Yun Che: "Deal."
They had struck a bargain.
Yun Che was content with the outcome. Twelve years was enough.
"I've never met anyone like you before," Mo Su said, smiling faintly. "Interesting. This is a wager between us. Let's see how capable you are—and what kind of storm you can stir."
"You'll be surprised," Yun Che said simply.
Mo Su laughed and waved his hand, dispelling the isolation barrier. "Four Priests, hear my command! From this moment forward, none of you are permitted to leave the Pure Land for twelve years. The affairs of the God Realm are not to be interfered with. I will enter seclusion for twelve years—during that time, you will manage the Pure Land. No matter the issue, do not disturb me!"
The four priests exchanged looks of confusion. They had no idea what had just transpired between Emperor Yuan and Yun Che—but they obeyed immediately.
No matter what Emperor Yuan ordered, they would comply.
"Yun Che," Mo Su said with a parting smile, "I look forward to our next meeting."
He turned and left.
The priests offered Yun Che one last look before silently returning to the Pure Land.
"That was… way too close," Li Su sighed deeply.
"Indeed," Yun Che nodded. "Mo Su is far stronger and more cunning than I expected. He truly is the son of the God of Creation—the one who shaped the Abyss with his own hands."
His mind lingered on every moment of the confrontation. If he hadn't seized Mo Su's weakness… he would've been doomed.
"This battle cost me nearly all the cards I had left in the Sea of Fog. The Abyssal Beasts must be reined in again. From here on, I'll focus on growing stronger—and unraveling the chaos in the Divine Kingdom. Every plan must be accelerated. Time… is running out."
But he wasn't discouraged.
The game's outcome, for now, was acceptable. First, he had severed his ties with the Mist Emperor, keeping his identity hidden. Second, he had secured twelve years—twelve years of freedom to act in the Divine Realm.
"Mo Su agreed too easily," Li Su said cautiously. "I suspect that opening the Abyssal Passage doesn't actually require the Divine Kingdom's power at all."
"You're probably right. He agreed without hesitation—as if he had no fear. But I have no other choice. This is the only path forward," Yun Che replied quietly. "Perhaps he never imagined that I would one day control all six Divine Sources of the Six Nations…"
His five fingers slowly curled together.
And so, an invisible net had begun to tighten around the six Divine Kingdoms.
(End of Chapter)