novel against the - Chapter 2090

Chapter 2090: A Different Path (v2)

After leisurely wandering for another half an hour, Yun Che changed direction and headed towards the Dream Tranquility Valley¹. Although called a “valley,” it was actually located within a massive hall. From the outside, the hall appeared to be only a few miles wide, but it contained a space hundreds of miles vast, filled with a hazy mist, like an ethereal realm.

As Yun Che approached, a Dream Tranquility Valley disciple came forward, his face stiff as he said, “If you do not seek slumber², please leave this place.”

Those who sought entry to the Dream Tranquility Valley either wore expressions of gloom or displayed manic energy. Someone like Yun Che, at a glance, clearly wasn’t seeking slumber.

Yun Che said calmly, “Please inform Valley Master Meng Naihe³ that Yun Che has come to visit.”

“Yun Che?” The disciple frowned slightly, then his expression drastically changed. “Yuan… Yuan Shenzi⁴!”

He quickly knelt on one knee. “I have been blind! I didn’t realize it was Yuan Shenzi gracing us with his presence. Please forgive my transgression, Yuan Shenzi.”

“Is Valley Master Meng Naihe available?” Yun Che asked.

The disciple replied respectfully, “The Valley Master just personally received a rather special guest and is currently within the valley. I will inform him immediately.”

Yun Che didn’t have to wait long. Soon, Meng Naihe hurried out, a smile already plastered on his aged face from afar. “It is truly a joyous surprise that Yuan Shenzi has found time to visit this humble place.”

Possessing a perfect Divine Spark and exuding the aura of a future overlord, Yun Che, though he had refused the title of Shenzi, was already seen by Meng Naihe as the future supreme-ruler of Dreams.

The investiture ceremony hadn’t ended long ago, and Meng Naihe was still filled with excitement. That Yun Che would personally visit him made even this world-weary old man feel a sense of being honored.

Yun Che bowed slightly, his tone humble. “I apologize for this unannounced visit. I hope I haven’t caused any disturbance.”

Meng Naihe quickly evaded the bow. “You mustn’t! As the esteemed Yuan Shenzi, how can you bow to an old codger like me, half-buried in the earth? If Yuan Shenzi has any commands, please speak freely.”

Yun Che wasted no more words. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Did Pan Buwang⁵, the former Shenzi of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom, enter the Dream Tranquility Valley just now?”

“Indeed,” Meng Naihe sighed, thinking of Pan Buwang. “Alas, fate can be cruel. A former Shenzi, now with a heart like a dead abyss, all hope lost. It’s truly tragic.” He paused. “Uh… Could it be that Yuan Shenzi’s visit is related to Pan Buwang? Could it be that you two are acquainted?”

Yun Che shook his head. “We are not acquainted. Has Pan Buwang entered slumber yet?”

Meng Naihe sighed again. “He was, after all, the former Shenzi of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom. I tried to dissuade him for a long time, but his heart was like dead ashes, with no attachment to the mortal world, only seeking to eternally fall into a dream. He even handed over all his profound crystals⁶ and profound artifacts⁷, only wishing for the slumber to last as long as possible.”

“Thus, I had no choice but to comply. He has already fallen asleep. I was just about to immerse him into the dream realm when I heard of Yuan Shenzi’s arrival and rushed over.”

Yun Che seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “That’s good. We almost had a disaster.”

“Disaster?” Meng Naihe’s expression was startled. “What do you mean?”

“Valley Master Naihe,” Yun Che’s expression turned serious. “You have been the Valley Master for many years and must know the history of the Dream Tranquility Valley. Has any Shenzi or Shennü⁸ ever slumbered here?”

“Never,” Meng Naihe answered without hesitation. “Those who become Shenzi or Shennü are all dragons and phoenixes among men. Why would they need an illusory dream to escape the sorrows of the mortal world? Moreover, once they enter slumber, their bodies and minds become half-crippled. It’s even less likely for a Shenzi or Shennü to come here.”

He seemed to understand Yun Che’s meaning and continued, “Although Pan Buwang was once a Shenzi, he has now been deposed. His current status in the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom is not even comparable to an ordinary Divine Prince. And his experience…”

Meng Naihe shook his head and sighed again. “Slumber is also a kind of beautiful release, in a way.”

Yun Che frowned slightly. “Even if he’s been deposed, he still possesses an eight-level Divine Spark. Moreover… Valley Master Naihe, how can you be sure that he won’t become the Owl Butterfly Shenzi again in the future?”

Meng Naihe was stunned. “Yuan Shenzi… what do you mean?”

“Valley Master Naihe, do you still remember what level Meng Jianchen’s⁹ Divine Spark was?” Yun Che asked a question known to everyone in the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams.

“Eight-level,” Meng Naihe answered, puzzled.

“And now?” Yun Che asked again.

“Ten… level.”

Yun Che’s gaze intensified, making Meng Naihe inexplicably feel an invisible pressure. “Since Meng Jianchen, who was born with an eight-level Divine Spark, can awaken his Divine Spark later, why can’t Pan Buwang?”

“This…” Meng Naihe said, “A miracle like Yuan Shenzi’s is rare even in a hundred millennia. How could it be so easily replicated?”

“True, it’s rare in a hundred millennia, but not absolutely impossible.” Yun Che’s voice softened slightly. “Then, what if? What if Pan Buwang, like me, awakens his Divine Spark later and his overall aptitude surpasses the current Owl Butterfly Shenzi? Have you considered the consequences?”

Meng Naihe’s breath hitched.

Yun Che continued, “Once immersed in the dream realm, enjoying everything unattainable in reality, one can no longer accept the cruel and hopeless real world. Both body and mind will be completely wasted. If such a Pan Buwang awakens his Divine Spark later, but becomes a cripple due to ‘slumber,’ can you imagine the wrath of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom? And who will bear the blame for all of this?”

Before Meng Naihe could respond, Yun Che’s words pressed further. “Valley Master Naihe, are you certain that this ‘what if’ will definitely not happen? Or… even though you could have refused, why did you introduce such a potentially huge risk into the Dream Tranquility Valley?”

Yun Che’s last few words extinguished all of Meng Naihe’s impending rebuttals, replaced by a sudden drenching of cold sweat.

He gasped, as if awakening from a dream. “Yuan Shenzi is absolutely right! Even if there’s only a sliver of possibility, if that ‘what if’ happens, it will definitely trigger a huge disaster.”

“Fortunately, Yuan Shenzi arrived in time, and the slumber hasn’t begun. I’ll bring him out immediately.”

“No,” Yun Che stopped him. “Pan Buwang is already in the Dream Tranquility Valley, and you just said that his heart is like a dead abyss, all hope lost. If you wake him up and tell him he can’t slumber, it would be equivalent to severing his last shred of desire in this world.”

“Valley Master Naihe, you have seen many people whose hearts have died in your lifetime, and among them, there must be those who were denied slumber for various reasons. How many of them chose to end their own lives?”

Meng Naihe’s face changed slightly.

“Given Pan Buwang’s current state, if you take away his last shred of hope, is it possible that he might choose to end his own life? Isn’t it?” Yun Che looked at Meng Naihe and continued, “If that happens, the former Shenzi of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom ending his own life in the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams…”

Yun Che shook his head slightly. “This matter can be big or small. But whether big or small, it’s directly related to the Dream Tranquility Valley. This is also a risk that shouldn’t be taken.”

Meng Naihe, who had already taken a step forward, turned back. Facing Yun Che, his aged figure seemed to shrink a little. “Please enlighten me, Yuan Shenzi.”

As the Valley Master of the Dream Tranquility Valley, he had met countless people in his life. But truly, he had never received someone like a former Shenzi.

Because it was extremely difficult for inheritors to be born with sufficient Divine Sparks, throughout history, they basically appeared one at a time in each era. Yet in this era, multiple Divine Kingdoms had multiple Shenzis or Shennüs, which was undoubtedly a miracle of this era, hence the saying that they were born in response to a calamity.

Therefore, Meng Naihe had never encountered a situation like this before. After Yun Che’s repeated “reminders,” he realized that he had almost single-handedly buried a huge hidden danger.

Yun Che appeared to be in deep thought. After a while, he asked, “You said he has already fallen asleep. Then, Valley Master Naihe, do you have a way to guide his consciousness and make him obediently follow me?”

Meng Naihe quickly replied, “That’s simple. Those who seek slumber will actively lower their soul defenses in order to enter the dream. In his current state of drowsiness, it’s very easy to implant a suggestion. However, this might…”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Yun Che instructed directly. “Valley Master Naihe, have someone prepare a small profound ark immediately and set its destination for the Mist Sea¹⁰. At the same time, implant a suggestion in Pan Buwang, making him follow me within half an hour.”

“I will personally escort him out of the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams and have many people witness this scene. This way, when Pan Buwang wakes up elsewhere, he will know that he was rejected by the Dream Tranquility Valley. Then, whatever choice he makes will have nothing to do with the Dream Tranquility Valley or our supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams.”

Meng Naihe nodded heavily. “This indeed eliminates all possible risks. Yuan Shenzi is only a little over a hundred years old, yet your thoughts are so meticulous and far-reaching. I am deeply impressed. With Yuan Shenzi, our supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams will surely usher in an era of endless glory.”

Soon, a profound ark was prepared. Yun Che stood on it, with the vacant-eyed Pan Buwang beside him.

“Shou Yuan¹¹, stay in the Shenzi Palace. Don’t follow me,” Yun Che transmitted his voice to the shadows.

Meng Shouyuan’s voice quickly came back, “The supreme-ruler Emperor’s strict order: I must not leave Young Master’s side.”

Yun Che narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice suddenly cold. “I don’t need someone who disobeys orders by my side!”

After a long while, Meng Shouyuan’s voice came again, “Shouyuan will quietly await Young Master’s safe return.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just escorting someone. I’ll be back soon.”

The profound ark started. Many people in the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams witnessed Yun Che personally escorting Pan Buwang, the former Shenzi who wanted to enter the Dream Tranquility Valley, out of the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams.

The profound ark flew out of the realm’s borders, heading straight towards the Mist Sea.

Yun Che stood at the front of the profound ark, his supreme sense covering the area ahead.

“What… are you going to do?” Li Suo¹² asked.

Yun Che’s eyes narrowed slightly. “People whose hearts are like dead ashes are the easiest to use… As long as you give them what they need most, they will stop at nothing.”

He was absolutely certain of this point because he had once been the same.

“Where are you taking him?” Li Suo asked again.

“Nowhere,” Yun Che smiled faintly. “It’s just a ruse.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly grabbed Pan Buwang and dropped straight down towards the endlessly desolate mountains below, leaving the profound ark to continue flying towards its designated destination until its energy was exhausted and it crashed into the Mist Sea.

Bang!

The two crashed to the ground. Yun Che quickly took out the Divine Stone of Qiankun¹³, and a red light flashed. A profound formation instantly formed, and Yun Che disappeared from the spot with Pan Buwang.

Deep within the Mist Sea, Yun Che threw Pan Buwang onto the ground. As his thoughts turned, the dormant Abyssal麟God¹⁴ opened its eyes. A terrifying aura enveloped the unconscious Pan Buwang, pinning him firmly to the ground. Even if he woke up, he wouldn’t be able to move an inch.

Yun Che stepped back into the formation and teleported back to the previous location.

Putting away the Divine Stone of Qiankun, Yun Che flew up and returned to the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams at a leisurely pace.

Everyone saw Yun Che escort Pan Buwang away on the profound ark and return alone soon after, clearly having seen him off a long distance… This way, whatever Pan Buwang did outside afterward would definitely have nothing to do with him, Yun Che.

Back in the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams, Yun Che returned directly to the Shenzi Palace. As he approached, Meng Kongdu¹⁵, the First Dream Palace Master, came towards him.

Beside him was a young man who, judging by his appearance, should be one of Meng Kongdu’s sons.

Yun Che slowed down and greeted, “Palace Master Du.”

Meng Kongdu’s face darkened. He glanced away and snorted coldly.

The young man behind him had a conflicted expression but didn’t dare to speak, only nodding slightly to Yun Che.

Yun Che didn’t react at all. As he passed by, he let out a cold sneer, “Idiot.”

Meng Kongdu stopped abruptly and turned around, his voice deep. “Meng Jianchen! What did you say?”

Yun Che also stopped and turned around. But compared to Meng Kongdu’s furious face, he had a faint smile. “It seems that Palace Master Du is getting old, and your ears are failing. In that case, I might as well let you hear clearly. I said…”

“Idiot!”

“Heh!” Meng Kongdu sneered in fury. “Meng Jianchen, do you think that just because you have the Sword Immortal’s protection and a perfect Divine Spark, I wouldn’t dare to teach you a lesson?!”

Boom!

As he spread his five fingers, a storm erupted around him, and the space trembled violently.

“Heh, hahahaha!” Yun Che sneered, then laughed mockingly. “Since you know I have the Sword Immortal’s protection, you should know that if my aunt wants to kill someone, she never cares about their identity! Since you know I have a perfect Divine Spark, you should know who this supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams will revere in the future!”

Meng Kongdu’s body stiffened, his aura weakening abruptly.

Facing Meng Kongdu’s terrifying aura, Yun Che raised his eyes disdainfully. “Anyone with a bit of sense would know how to assess the situation. Even if they still don’t want to leave Meng Jianxi’s¹⁶ faction, they should know how to play both sides and leave a way out for themselves. Unfortunately, there are always self-righteous idiots in this world… Don’t you agree, Palace Master Du?”

Meng Kongdu’s face was狰狞, but his aura weakened further.

A hand rested on Meng Kongdu’s arm. The young man hurried forward and bowed respectfully. “Yuan Shenzi, my father has always been stubborn and inflexible, but he absolutely meant no disrespect to Yuan Shenzi. Please forgive him. I will personally visit Yuan Shenzi another day to apologize on my father’s behalf.”

The corner of Meng Kongdu’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t object.

Yun Che took a deep look at the young man, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

His aura subsided, and Meng Kongdu lowered his arm, looking momentarily lost.

Returning to the Shenzi Palace, Yun Che directly entered the cultivation space.

Deep within the Mist Sea.

Pan Buwang struggled awake.

He didn’t know how long he had been unconscious. When his consciousness returned, he felt as if his entire body was being crushed by mountains. He raised his head with difficulty, his vision filled with heavy darkness and even heavier abyssal dust.

Where… is this…?

Wasn’t I… supposed to enter the dream realm…?

Why is it still so painful…? Why haven’t I seen Wuqing¹⁷…?

“You’re finally awake, pathetic boy.”

A deep, cold voice, seemingly near yet far, entered his ears.

Pan Buwang shifted his gaze with difficulty. He saw a swirling gray mist and, above it, a pair of eyes like dark night lights, constantly shifting.

“Who… are you?”

The Dream Tranquility Valley was supposed to immerse him in the most perfect dream, so why was it like the darkest nightmare?

The swirling gray shadow gave him an answer. “I am the Mist Emperor¹⁸, ruler of the Mist Sea.”

“Mist… Emperor?” He murmured, then laughed mockingly. “Hehehe… hahaha… How ridiculous… To use such ridiculous means to humiliate me! I don’t care who you are, if you have the guts… just kill me!”

“Hehehe,” the Mist Emperor chuckled softly. “A mere boneless insect, worthy of my humiliation?”

“Pan Buwang,” the Mist Emperor called his name. “A pathetic wretch like you has tarnished the two words ‘Shenzi’ with an eternal stain.”

“Hahahaha…” Pan Buwang continued to laugh miserably, completely ignoring what the other party said. “That’s right, I’m a pathetic waste. I can’t do anything… I wanted to protect my mother, but I watched her die tragically. The one who harmed her is close at hand, but I’m powerless…”

“I promised Wuqing that I would help her get rid of that crazy woman, but… she also died… she also died… and I don’t even have the right to avenge her… hahaha…”

He was laughing, but tears streamed down his face.

The Mist Emperor spoke, “So, how did Shen Wuqing die? Did you witness her death with your own eyes?”

Pan Buwang’s miserable laughter continued. “No… I didn’t even… get to see her one last time…”

“That is to say, you didn’t see her die with your own eyes…” The Mist Emperor’s voice suddenly sharpened. “Then why do you assume she’s dead?!”

Pan Buwang’s miserable laughter stopped abruptly, then he suddenly roared out of control, “She… is dead! Shen Wuyan¹⁹ killed her at night! Everyone knows she’s dead!”

The Mist Emperor sneered, “So the person you supposedly loved dearly, you can determine her death based solely on the words of others? And not believe that she would stubbornly cling to life for you, endure humiliation for you, fight for survival for you… Or is it that she, like you, is a waste who gives up all hope when faced with setbacks?!”

Pan Buwang’s eyes suddenly became ferocious. “She’s not a waste! I won’t allow you to say that about her!!”

“It is you who thinks she is a waste!” The Mist Emperor’s voice completely swallowed his roar. “It is you who arbitrarily assumed that she is dead! It is you who doesn’t even have the courage to go to the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom to confirm it with your own eyes!”

“Pathetic as you are, how can you be worthy of the former Eternal Night Divine Maiden!”

Translation Notes

1. Dream Tranquility Valley (沉梦谷 – chén mèng gǔ): A location within the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams where individuals can enter a state of induced slumber and experience elaborate dreams.
2. Slumber (沉梦 – chén mèng): Refers to the dream-like state induced by the Dream Tranquility Valley. It’s a form of escapism.
3. Meng Naihe (梦奈河 – mèng nài hé): The Valley Master of the Dream Tranquility Valley.
4. Shenzi (神子 – shén zǐ): Title meaning “Divine Child,” typically given to the most promising young cultivator in a supreme-ruler realm, often the heir apparent.
5. Pan Buwang (槃不妄 – pán bù wàng): The former Shenzi of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom.
6. Profound Crystals (渊晶 – yuān jīng): Crystals containing profound energy, used for cultivation and as currency in the world.
7. Profound Artifacts (玄器 – xuán qì): Weapons and tools imbued with profound energy, enhancing their power and capabilities.
8. Shennü (神女 – shén nǚ): Title meaning “Divine Maiden,” the female equivalent of Shenzi.
9. Meng Jianchen (梦见尘 – mèng jiàn chén): A character in the story, likely related to Meng Naihe. His Divine Spark increased from eight-level to ten-level.
10. Mist Sea (雾海 – wù hǎi): A dangerous and desolate sea shrouded in mist.
11. Shou Yuan (守渊 – shǒu yuān): Likely a subordinate or guard assigned to protect Yun Che.
12. Li Suo (黎娑 – lí suō): A mysterious entity residing within Yun Che.
13. Divine Stone of Qiankun (乾坤神石 – qián kūn shén shí): A powerful artifact that allows Yun Che to create profound formations for teleportation.
14. Abyssal麟supreme-ruler (深渊麟神 – shēn yuān lín shén): A powerful creature controlled by Yun Che, residing in the Mist Sea. “麟” (lín) is a mythical hooved creature, often translated as “Qilin” or simply “Lin.”
15. Meng Kongdu (梦空渡 – mèng kōng dù): The First Dream Palace Master, likely a high-ranking figure in the supreme-ruler Realm of Dreams.
16. Meng Jianxi (梦见溪 – mèng jiàn xī): A character mentioned as having a faction or group of followers.
17. Wuqing (无情 – wú qíng): A character significant to Pan Buwang, possibly his lover. The name means “heartless” or “unfeeling,” which might be ironic.
18. Mist Emperor (雾皇 – wù huáng): A mysterious and powerful entity ruling the Mist Sea.