novel against the - Chapter 2086

## Chapter 2086: Divine Light

“Excellent!” Mèng Cángjī¹ beckoned with his arm, and a jade stele, thirty feet long and wide, descended from the sky, landing before Yun Che² and at the center of everyone’s attention.

For Mèng Cángjī and the others, publicly re-demonstrating supreme grace was the most direct and intuitive way to show everyone the “hierarchical” difference between Mèng Jiànxī and Mèng Jiànyuān’s supreme grace. It was exactly what they wanted.

Yun Che glanced at the jade stele. It was dull in color, square, and its most prominent feature was the ten star imprints irregularly arranged on its surface. The arrangement of these ten star imprints corresponded to the ten supreme graces within a person’s profound veins³.

“Place your hand upon it, and the extent of your supreme grace will be known,” Mèng Cángjī said. “A century has passed, Jiànyuān. This old man looks forward, more than anyone, to seeing Jiànxī’s miracle reappear in you… Perhaps it will.”

These words, spoken by anyone else, might have carried a hint of sincerity. But coming from Mèng Cángjī—the maternal grandfather of the current Dream Weaver Divine Child—they were dripping with sarcasm.

“Very well,” Mèng Kōngchán nodded slightly. “Most of the people present have yet to witness the brilliance of stars ignited by supreme grace. Jiànxī, you go first.”

“Yes, Father supreme-ruler”

Although the matter of supreme grace was a source of extreme humiliation for him, Mèng Jiànxī seemed to undergo a complete change in demeanor. He walked towards the Star Jade Stele, the pride of the Divine Child gradually returning to his brow with each step.

Yes… No matter what, with a certain degree of supreme grace, I am the undisputed Dream Weaver Divine Child in the eyes of the world! Nothing else matters!

Father supreme-ruler’s favor, the Sword Immortal’s protection, profound way talent… none of these can erase the disparity in supreme grace for a supreme-ruler Realm Divine Child!

Standing before the Star Jade Stele, Mèng Jiànxī stood ramrod straight, his resolute features seeming to radiate supreme light. He extended his hand, fingers spread, and placed it calmly upon the stele.

*Zheng!*⁴

The dull jade stele suddenly blazed with light. The first star ignited, followed by the second, third, fourth… until the seventh, at which point the speed of illumination slowed.

The starlight continued to spread, gradually lighting the eighth star. The slowing pace became more apparent, but it never stopped. Under everyone’s unwavering gaze, it slowly touched the ninth star.

No one spoke. Everyone held their breath. Divine grace was of paramount importance to the supreme-ruler Realm, carrying an almost sacred significance. As the literal meaning of “supreme grace” suggested, it was the qualification to become a true supreme-ruler!

Starlight shimmered at the base of the ninth star, then, bit by bit, tenaciously crept upwards… one breath, two breaths, three breaths… ten breaths.

*Zheng!*

Finally, under the reverent gazes of the Dream Weavers, the ninth star fully ignited.

The starlight ceased its spread. Nine illuminated jade stars were deeply imprinted in everyone’s eyes, showcasing the Dream Weaver Divine Child Mèng Jiànxī’s extraordinary, world-defying nine points of supreme grace.

“Hehehehe,” Mèng Xuánjī chuckled. “I recall that for ten thousand years, our Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm did not have a single inheritor of the supreme mandate⁵, and I don’t know how much ridicule we received from other supreme-ruler Realms. Then Jiànyuān was born, but he soon suffered misfortune, causing much grief and regret. Fortunately, there was Jiànxī… Now, seeing these nine stars again, I am deeply grateful that our Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm has Jiànxī.”

A chorus of agreement and exclamations immediately arose.

Mèng Jiànxī withdrew his hand from the Star Jade Stele and spoke indifferently, “My supreme grace, like my life, is bestowed by Father supreme-ruler and is also for the Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm.”

“Hahaha, well said.” Mèng Cángjī laughed approvingly, his previous frustration and resentment gone.

Mèng Kōngchán spoke directly, “Yuān’er⁶, it’s your turn.”

The supreme-ruler Emperor’s words instantly silenced the chorus of praise. Yun Che stepped forward, passing by Mèng Jiànxī’s side, and stood before the Star Jade Stele.

Mèng Jiànxī glanced sideways, his face devoid of worry. Awakening supreme grace after birth? A joke. If post-natal awakening of supreme grace were so easy, the six supreme-ruler Realms wouldn’t exhaust themselves searching for a single inheritor of the supreme mandate in every era.

Yun Che had no supreme grace.

The essence of supreme grace was extra profound entrances⁷. Ever since he retrieved the final Heretical supreme-ruler seed from the Qilin supreme-ruler Realm and completed his Heretical supreme-ruler Profound Veins, his profound vein world had undergone an earth-shattering transformation, changing from a finite profound energy space into a boundless starry sky.

Even all of his profound entrances had completely vanished, replaced by an endless expanse of stars.

In other words, Yun Che’s current profound veins had completely deviated from everyone’s understanding of profound veins—including his own previous understanding.

So, would the stars on this jade stele respond to his profound veins…?

No, the question should be… were these stars even qualified to respond!

Unlike Mèng Jiànxī’s solemnity, Yun Che placed his palm casually on the Star Jade Stele.

Silence. Not a single star on the Star Jade Stele lit up.

Everyone froze, looking at each other in bewilderment.

It was common knowledge that Mèng Jiànyuān had innate eight points of supreme grace. Even the most ordinary profound practitioner could awaken several stars on the stele.

“What’s going on? Could this Star Jade Stele be broken?”

“That shouldn’t be the case. Didn’t it just fully display Divine Child Jiànxī’s nine points of supreme grace?”

“It seems like there’s never been… Ah? Wait, is the Star Jade Stele…?”

Mèng Kōngchán, who had been frowning in confusion, suddenly focused his gaze and subconsciously took a step forward. He had suddenly realized that the Star Jade Stele seemed to be trembling.

What was going on?

The trembling of the Star Jade Stele intensified, becoming impossible to ignore.

The confusion on everyone’s faces quickly morphed into astonishment. But before they could inquire about the source of this abnormal trembling, a blinding starlight burst forth.

*Weng—*⁸

All ten stars on the Star Jade Stele ignited in a single instant. There was no gradual overflowing of starlight, no sequential progression between the stars. It happened entirely in the same instant, the same moment!

Not only that, but the starlight emitted by each star was incredibly intense. Any single one far surpassed the combined brilliance of all the stars lit by Mèng Jiànxī!

“Ah…!?” A cacophony of shocked cries erupted from every corner of the hall.

“Th-This is… Ah…” The immense shock left those who tried to speak incoherently babbling.

“…!!” The intense starlight was so powerful that even Mèng Kōngchán, the supreme-ruler Emperor, couldn’t look directly at it for a few moments.

His eyes widened, almost痴迷地看着 (chī mí de kàn zhe)⁹ the scene before him. He had touched the Star Jade Stele countless times in his life and witnessed its brilliance just as many.

But he had never known that the stars on it could release such a blazing, sky-filling light.

“Perfect… supreme grace…” he murmured. Just four words, yet his eyes instantly blurred with tears.

Hua Qingying had already turned completely, staring fixedly at the excessively radiant Star Jade Stele, just like Mèng Kōngchán.

She had personally witnessed Hua Caili’s perfect supreme grace miracle, but…

The Star Jade Stele had never shone so brightly then.

Yun Che…

This man, whom Caili had completely entrusted herself to, forsaking her father’s arrangements for her own choice… what exactly was he…?

Could it be… a mutual attraction between two children of miracles in this era?

“…” Mèng Jiànxī stood there呆呆的 (dāi dāi de)¹⁰, his pupils completely unfocused.

Apart from Yun Che, he was closest to the Star Jade Stele. The sky-filling, intense starlight completely enveloped him… and almost extinguished all the light in his eyes.

Yun Che removed his hand from the Star Jade Stele.

Instantly, the starlight vanished, and the entire world seemed to dim.

He looked up, silently watching as fine cracks spread across the Star Jade Stele. If he had withdrawn his hand a moment later, the stele would have undoubtedly shattered.

The sudden disappearance of the starlight seemed to take all sound with it. Gazes shifted with difficulty, landing on Yun Che.

Only now, the way they looked at him had completely changed.

Dian Jiuzhi¹¹ turned his gaze back and sighed deeply, “Ten stars shining together, perfect supreme grace! Congratulations, Dreamless supreme-ruler Emperor, congratulations, Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm, for the birth of such a miracle!”

Dian Jiuzhi’s words instantly awakened everyone from their stupor, triggering a tidal wave of voices.

“Ten stars shining together… perfect supreme grace… Am I… dreaming…?”

“In the history of the Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm, it seems there has never been a case of perfect supreme grace… This is… an unprecedented miracle!”

“No wonder, no wonder the supreme-ruler Emperor values Mèng Jiànyuān so much, no, values Divine Child Yuān so much. So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is!”

“Perfect supreme grace… Doesn’t that mean the next era of the Abyss belongs to our Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm!”

“I was actually able to witness the birth of such a miracle… I can die without regrets…”

Unending excitement erupted like an uncontrolled tide in this originally solemn ceremony. Mèng Kōngchán, however, was not annoyed and did not try to restore order. He stood with one hand behind his back, a faint smile on his face. The boundless joy and satisfaction made him feel like he was floating on clouds.

Perfect supreme grace?

Yun Che, however, felt no surge of emotion at these four words.

The so-called supreme grace was merely the qualification to bear the power of a true supreme-ruler.

And his profound veins came from the Creation supreme-ruler, a being transcending the level of true supreme-rulers.

The so-called “miracle” of perfect supreme grace, in the face of his profound veins, was merely barely qualified for him to glance down upon.

His profound veins were beyond the comprehension of all beings in this world. His upper limit was beyond the reach of all beings in this world.

Even in this Abyssal world… if not for the overly short fifty-year limit, he wouldn’t need any schemes or plots. He could simply seclude himself in the Deep Mist Sea, focus on cultivation, and after sufficient time, he could overturn the entire Abyss with his own power.

“Congratulations, Your Excellency!”

A loud shout rang out. Mèng Cháoyáng, the Master of the Second Dream Hall, stood up. Having remained silent until now, his voice now shook the entire hall. “Your Excellency not only retrieved your beloved son but also brought a true, unprecedented miracle to our Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm!”

“Cháoyáng previously harbored many doubts about why Your Excellency was so eager to hold today’s ceremony. It turns out Your Excellency had prepared such a huge surprise for us, for the Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm… Cháoyáng is overwhelmed with excitement and feels a thousand times ashamed for his previous doubts.”

Mèng Cháofèng, the Master of the Sixth Dream Hall, immediately followed, “Divine Child Yuān has been wandering for a hundred years, yet he has not been tainted by the mortal world, but instead returned with a miracle. This is a great blessing and supreme favor! As a citizen of the Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm, Cháofèng is immensely proud.”

Mèng Jiànxī’s neck turned with great difficulty. It took him a long while to shift his gaze towards where Mèng Cháoyáng and Mèng Cháofèng stood.

Mèng Cháoyáng and Mèng Cháofèng were not only from the same lineage but were also siblings born of the same parents. The fact that both were Masters of Dream Halls demonstrated the strength of their lineage.

However, even though Mèng Jiànxī had secured his position as the Divine Child, no matter how he hinted or suggested, these two Dream Masters refused to prematurely align themselves with him.

Yet now, they took the initiative to stand up and sing praises to Mèng Jiànyuān, even directly addressing him as “Divine Child Yuān.”

At this time, Mèng Nàihé, the Valley Master of the Sunken Dream Valley, said in a noticeably trembling voice, “Five thousand years ago, the supreme-rulerdess Hua Caili of the Folding Sky supreme-ruler Realm ignited ten stars, shaking the entire Abyssal world. This old man… never dared to dream that such a miracle would descend upon our Dream Weaver supreme-ruler Realm… This old man is nearing the end of his lifespan, yet to witness this miracle is already a life without regrets.”

“Hahahaha!” Mèng Kōngchán roared with laughter. After his laughter subsided, his expression became resolute, with an air of “I knew you would react this way.” “Valley Master Nàihé is still hale and hearty, far from the end of your lifespan.”

He raised his gaze slightly, sweeping across the hall. “So, regarding the matter of establishing Mèng Jiànyuān as the Dream Weaver Divine Child, does anyone still have any objections?”

The same question, asked by Mèng Kōngchán at this moment, elicited a drastically different response than before.

Objections?

That was perfect supreme grace! It was the “miracle” they had repeatedly proclaimed. Who would have objections? Who dared to have objections? Who was qualified to have objections?

With perfect supreme grace before them, looking at Mèng Jiànxī now… the once-shining words “Divine Child” on him had lost all their luster.

Mèng Cángjī stood frozen, his expression unchanged since the moment the ten stars ignited, as if he had completely lost his soul. He didn’t react to Mèng Kōngchán’s words.

Compared to the boundless excitement and amazement around them, Mèng Xuánjī, Mèng Kōngdù, Mèng Jīnghǎi, and the others had complex expressions, their hands and feet alternating between coldness and numbness. The seats beneath them felt like they were covered in thorns, making them restless.

Mèng Jiànxī suddenly lowered his head and then chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Thinking back to everything that had happened before… his posture, his certainty, his arrogance, his words, the methods he had employed, his contempt for Mèng Jiànyuān from the bottom of his heart… everything seemed so ridiculously comical now.

He was clearly the radiant Dream Weaver Divine Child, but today, everything about him had pathetically become a foil and stepping stone for Mèng Jiànyuān’s supreme light.

“I have an objection.”

In this situation, there were no four words more inappropriate or more ignorant.

However, no one angrily rebuked him, because the person who spoke was none other than Yun Che.

Everyone was stunned again, bewildered… It seemed that from beginning to end, every word and action of Yun Che was completely beyond their expectations.

## Translation Notes

1. Mèng Cángjī (孟藏機): Cángjī means “hidden mechanism” or “hidden opportunity.” The surname Mèng (孟) is relatively common.
2. Yun Che (云澈): Yun means “cloud,” and Che means “clear” or “limpid.”
3. Profound Veins (玄脉 – xuánmài): Channels within the body through which profound energy flows. A core concept in many xianxia/xuanhuan novels.
4. Zheng (铮): An onomatopoeia for the sound of a metallic clang or twang, often associated with swords or other metal objects.
5. Inheritor of the Divine Mandate (神承者 – shén chéng zhě): Someone chosen by the supreme-rulers to inherit their power and authority. A highly prestigious and powerful position.
6. Yuān’er (渊儿): A diminutive and affectionate way to address Mèng Jiànyuān. The -er suffix is commonly used for names in Chinese families.
7. Profound Entrances (玄关 – xuánguān): Gates within the profound veins that regulate the flow of profound energy. More profound entrances generally indicate higher potential and talent.
8. Weng (嗡): An onomatopoeia for a humming or buzzing sound.
9. 痴迷地看着 (chī mí de kàn zhe): Looking with fascination or obsession.
10. 呆呆的 (dāi dāi de): Blankly, dazedly, in a stupor.
11. Dian Jiuzhi (殿九知): Dian likely refers to a hall or palace, while Jiuzhi could mean “nine knowledges” or “nine understandings.” This is likely a title within the Folding Sky supreme-ruler Realm.