"Did you hear what happened to Eternal Night's Lightless Divine Regent?"
The man's voice was hushed, but the excitement in his eyes was impossible to miss. He leaned across the table, the edge of his mug trembling as if the very words he spoke held power.
"She was beaten down by the newly ascended Divine Regent Eclipse Sovereign!"
The words tumbled out, and for a moment, the dimly lit tavern seemed to shrink, as if the shadows themselves were listening.
"Are you insane?!"
The friend, his face paling instantly, slammed his hand down on the table, nearly spilling his drink. His eyes darted around nervously, searching for any unwanted attention. He lowered his voice to a strained whisper.
"Keep your damn voice down! Do you want to get us killed?"
"Come on!" The first man scoffed, waving dismissively. "Everyone's talking about it. The Eclipse Sovereign tore her down like she was nothing! They say she didn't even stand a chance!"
"And that's exactly why you should shut up!" The friend gritted his teeth, his knuckles tightening. "You think it's wise to spread rumors about gods? What if someone hears you? What if they think you're mocking them?"
"Bah! It's not like—"
"How dare you gossip about the lords of the Abyss."
The chilling voice cut through the chatter like a blade.
Before the two could react, a thunderous crack rang out. A massive sword slammed down into their table, splitting the wood into fragments. Splinters scattered across the floor, and the drinks they had so carelessly held moments ago spilled in a useless puddle.
The laughter in the tavern died instantly. Every head turned toward the source of the chaos.
Standing before them was a man clad in dark, jagged armor — an Abyssal Knight. The obsidian sheen of his armor gleamed under the dim lantern light, the insignia of his rank etched proudly across his chest. His face was partially concealed beneath his dark helm, but the fury radiating from his piercing gaze left no question of his intent.
"You don't value your lives, do you?"
His voice was low, but the weight behind it silenced any thoughts of defiance.
"S-Sir Knight!"
The man who had so carelessly spread his rumors stumbled back, his face drained of color. Dropping to his knees, he pressed his forehead to the floor in a frantic show of submission.
"I-I didn't mean any disrespect, Sir! I was just... just speaking nonsense! Please forgive me!"
"Yes, Sir Knight!" The friend hastily joined him, bowing his head as sweat dripped down his trembling face. "My friend is a fool! A drunkard who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut! Please show mercy!"
The knight's glare bore down upon them, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. The aura that surrounded him was suffocating, like the pressure of the Abyss itself.
"Five breaths."
The words rang like a cold command.
"S-Sir?"
"You have five breaths to get out of my sight."
The knight's voice was sharper than steel. "If I so much as see your pathetic faces again, I'll ensure you won't speak another word for the rest of your miserable lives."
"Y-Yes! Yes, Sir Knight!"
"We're leaving! Right away!"
Scrambling to their feet, the pair bolted out of the tavern, stumbling over each other in their haste. The heavy wooden door slammed behind them, leaving only the tense silence that remained.
The knight's gaze lingered on the door for a moment before he scoffed, pulling his sword free from the shattered remains of the table. The air remained thick with the presence of his authority, and no one dared to meet his eyes.
"Fools."
His voice was low, filled with disdain. Without another word, the knight turned and strode away, the metallic clank of his armor echoing through the hushed tavern.
But even as the tension began to ease, the whispers would not stop.
The name of the Eclipse Sovereign had already spread like wildfire.
A god who rose from disgrace.
A god who defeated the fearsome Lightless Divine Regent.
No words of fear or respect could stop the whispers. And with each telling, the legend of Pan Buwang grew.
"....."
From the dimly lit corner of the bar, a man with unremarkable features who appeared to be in his sixties silently observed the scene. His appearance was ordinary, his robes tattered and simple. The wrinkles on his face and the strands of gray in his hair painted the picture of a worn-out traveler.
But beneath this carefully crafted facade, Yun Che watched with an intense, calculating gaze.
A few days ago, he had left the oppressive expanse of the Endless Fog Sea and returned to the world outside.
He could have left in an instant if he so wished, but that would have drawn attention. He didn't know who might be watching or sensing the slightest disturbance in the Fog. Concealment was key. He moved carefully, his presence hidden, ensuring no gods or unknown entities would detect his movements. After all, in a world rife with schemers and threats, even the smallest slip could expose his presence.
Once back on solid ground, Yun Che wasted no time.
He needed information.
Some he obtained by slipping a few gold coins into the hands of gossiping merchants. Others, he pried from unwilling lips, leaving behind corpses in his wake. Every piece of information, every whisper and rumor, he pieced together with unsettling clarity.
And what he learned shook him to the core.
Dian Jiuzhi —had ascended to godhood.
But it didn't end there.
Pan Buwang.
His suppose disciple.
The man Yun Che had once guided. The one who was cast aside and left with nothing, just as Yun Che once had been. Now, Pan Buwang too had become a god.
He have crowned himself Divine Title of Eclipse Sovereign.
Yun Che's fingers tightened around the mug in his hand. He wasn't sure what he expected from Pan Buwang's, but to hear that his disciple had achieved godhood in such a short time was no small feat. It wasn't just a sign of strength — it was proof that Pan Buwang had played his cards with terrifying precision.
But the most shocking piece of news was yet to come.
Pan Buwang had led an army.
He brought the might of the Owl Butterfly Divine Kingdom upon the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom. The image of the darkened skies and shattered lands painted itself in Yun Che's mind. And the result?
He had severely injured Shen Yanye.
The Lightless Divine Regent.
A god whose strength and presence once commanded fear, now reduced to ruin. Yun Che could only imagine the state she had been left in. But what disturbed him even more was how it ended.
Pan Buwang didn't push further.
The moment High Priest Ling Xian appeared, he retreated. No futile struggle, no reckless display of arrogance — just a clean, calculated withdrawal.
It was not a sign of weakness.
It was a display of restraint.
Pan Buwang knew exactly when to stop.
He vented his hatred. He humiliated Shen Yanye. He carved his name into the memory of the Abyss. And yet, he left without giving anyone a reason to justify further retaliation.
It was brilliant.
Pan Buwang had always been intelligent, but this? This level of manipulation, to control both the battlefield and the perception of the world — it was something only the most terrifying of minds could achieve. And the world was already beginning to see him not as a reckless man, but as a ruler who knew when to wield his strength and when to withdraw.
The people whispered his name with both fear and awe. Eclipse Sovereign.
And Yun Che couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitter pride, because at the end of the day, everyone here is an enemy.
Back when Yun Che was teaching Pan Buwang, he had already come to understand just how terrifying the young man's intelligence truly was.
It wasn't just about talent or cultivation. No, it was the sharpness of Pan Buwang's mind.
The most striking example of this was when Pan Buwang had deduced the Fog Monarch's true nature.
Without any direct clues, he had pieced it together — the fact that the Fog Monarch had adapted so quickly to a human profound vein. That level of familiarity and ease wasn't something that could be faked. No beast, spirit, or ancient creature would display such understanding. Only someone who once possessed a human body could achieve such mastery.
"The Fog Monarch… must be human."
That realization alone was a testament to how frighteningly perceptive Pan Buwang was.
But instead of fear, Yun Che had felt something else — relief.
Because Pan Buwang had encountered the Fog Monarch at a time when he was at his lowest. Abandoned, hated, discarded like worthless trash. That bitterness, that resentment, had left a wound so deep that when Yun Che extended his hand, Pan Buwang took it without hesitation.
And for that… Yun Che knew.
Pan Buwang would never betray him.
First, he needed to find a way to return to the Divine Kingdom.
Once he returned, his next goal was clear — securing an audience with the Ancient True Gods in Pure Land and ask about the Well of Samsara.
If anyone knew of its existence and its secrets, it would be the Ancient True Gods. They had existed for millions of years, holding knowledge that far surpassed anything the world below could comprehend. Yun Che was certain they would possess the information he sought.
And once he acquired it, he would act.
Saving Shen Xi — that was his current priority. The promise he made to his daughter, the pain in her voice, and the lingering ache in his own heart weighed heavily on him. He had vowed to bring her back, no matter what it took.
But even as that goal burned fiercely within him, Yun Che did not forget the others who waited for him in the God Realm.
Lingxi.
Little Fairy.
Devil Empress.
Ying'er.
Wuxin.
And many more...
Everyone, everything; they all wait for him.
No matter how long it took, no matter what obstacles stood in his way — Yun Che would return.
With that resolve, he calmly raised the small ceramic cup in his hand. The bitter taste of the cheap ale did little to stir his senses, but it marked the end of his brief moment of respite. The tavern around him buzzed once more, the murmurs of terrified gossip still lingering in the air.
But Yun Che paid it no mind.
With a final sip, he set the empty cup down on the cracked wooden table.
The air around him shifted.
Then, without a sound, he disappeared.
The flickering candlelight at his table swayed gently, as if the presence that once weighed down the room had vanished like a passing breeze. No one noticed. No one saw.
But the world would soon feel it.
Yun Che was on the move once more.
--------
"Arghhhh!!!!! ARGHHHH!!!!!!!"
"YOU DAMN... PAN..."
"AGHHHHH!!!!"
Roars of agony and curses echoed through the dimly lit chamber of the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom. The trembling walls bore witness to the torment of Shen Yanye, her voice ragged and strained from the overwhelming pain. The once prideful Lightless Divine Regent had been reduced to a pitiful figure, writhing in agony.
The source of her suffering lingered even now.
The Eternal Calamity Darkness Butterfly — a technique unlike any other. On the surface, it appeared as nothing more than a delicate swarm of dark butterflies, their fragile wings fluttering ominously in the shadows. But upon closer inspection, the terrifying truth revealed itself.
Each minuscule butterfly was not merely a condensed fragment of dark energy. No, within their fragile form, millions of razor-thin blades composed entirely of destructive power moved in unison. Together, they wove through the air like a living manifestation of death itself — elegant, yet merciless.
Even now, the remnants of those cursed butterflies lingered on Shen Yanye's body, leaving behind unhealable wounds that pulsed with corrosive energy. Each movement, each twitch, sent waves of unbearable pain surging through her veins. The darkness gnawed at her from the inside, refusing to relent.
"PAN BUWANG!!!!"
Her hoarse scream reverberated through the chamber once more, but no amount of rage could quell the torment coursing through her body. The humiliation of her defeat, the unbearable pain, and the searing memory of those gray butterflies — they twisted within her, driving her further into madness.
When Shen Yanye was struck by that devastating attack, it wasn't just her physical body that bore the brunt of it. Her very soul had been pierced by millions of razor-sharp blades — each one laced with a lingering darkness that refused to fade.
Even now, though an entire month had passed since that day, the agony remained relentless. Every waking moment was consumed by excruciating pain.
Her once pale skin was marred with dark streaks, evidence of the corruption that festered beneath the surface. Though her eyes had long been blind, they burned with a blood-red hue, brimming with uncontrollable hatred and torment. Her trembling form barely found the strength to stand, and yet, no one could offer her aid.
Every touch. Every voice. Every attempt at comfort.
They were all met with violent rejection. Those foolish enough to draw near had been forcefully cast away, her fractured power lashing out uncontrollably. None could withstand the sheer force of her anguish.
The pain that consumed her was unlike anything she had inflicted upon others. The curses she had branded upon her people, the twisted suffering she relished in — none of it could compare to what now gnawed at her body and soul. It was a torment without end, an agony that seeped into her bones and clawed at the depths of her being.
She was suffering.
And no amount of power, hatred, or blind fury could free her from it.
"How is the Divine Regent doing?"
In another chamber, hidden deep within the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom, a group of elders gathered. The dim light flickered across their aged faces, each one etched with years of loyalty and regret. Yet, the question that lingered in the air was met without a trace of sorrow.
"Not good..."
The elder's voice was low, but the lack of concern in her tone was undeniable. And strangely, no one in the room seemed troubled by the response. In fact, there was an unsettling sense of acceptance — perhaps even anticipation — beneath their otherwise stoic expressions.
"Do you think we can... kill her?"
The words dropped like a stone into a still lake. The chamber, though already sealed with numerous barriers, fell into an even deeper silence. And as the weight of the question settled, more protective formations ignited across the room. It was as though they feared the very air would betray their treasonous thoughts.
The elders glanced at one another, their gazes dark and contemplative. The tension hung thick, until finally, one voice broke the silence.
"At her current state, it should be possible... but we have no one who can bear the godly power."
The elder's tone was bitter. Despite the opportunity that lay before them, the absence of a suitable successor bound their hands. Even if they were to strike down the Lightless Divine Regent in her weakened state, the absence of a god would shatter what little stability their kingdom still held.
A Divine Kingdom without a god… was nothing.
"If only little Wuyi hadn't killed Wuqing..."
The wistful sigh echoed through the chamber, laced with the regret that had plagued them for years. Shen Wuqing, the former Divine Daughter — once their hope — had been cast aside and ultimately killed at Shen Yanye's command.
She had been deemed unworthy.
And currently Shen Wuyi... is nowhere to be found.
Worse still, whispers of her possible ties to the Fog Monarch made her return all but impossible.
"..."
The room fell silent once more.
There was no comfort to be found in their deliberation. Only the bitter reality that no matter how much they resented Shen Yanye — no matter how they wished to free themselves from the weight of her rule — they could not.
The throne would remain hers.
And so too would the shackles that bound them all.
After a long silence, one of the elders suddenly spoke, his voice low and cautious.
"Youlan, you've met Lord Ling Xian. What did she say?"
The moment the question was asked, all eyes turned toward Elder Youlan. The air grew heavier as they awaited her response. Despite the barriers that shielded their conversation, the tension in the room was suffocating.
Elder Youlan's face remained calm, but the weight of her words was already visible in her weary gaze. She sighed softly before answering.
"She said she will finally cut her ties with our Kingdom."
The words struck like a cold wind. Though they had anticipated this outcome, hearing it aloud was no less painful.
"Saving our Divine Regent was merely an act of goodwill — a final kindness she granted us. Lord Ling Xian understands we have no replacement for Shen Yanye, and without a successor, she saw no point in withholding that last act of aid. But make no mistake — that was all the help we will receive."
Her voice grew quieter, tinged with bitterness.
"Lord Ling Xian's path and ours will no longer cross."
The room fell into a suffocating silence. There were no gasps of surprise, no protests — just the grim acceptance of what they already knew.
For centuries, Lord Ling Xian had been a distant yet ever-watchful figure, a guardian whose presence had once held great meaning to the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom. But now, even that final connection had been severed.
"..."
The elders exchanged solemn glances, disappointment etched deep into their faces.
There would be no lifeline. No intervention. No powerful hand to shield them from the storm they had long known was coming.
"Then... what about... his highness...?"
The hesitant voice of one of the elders broke the silence. The moment those words escaped her lips, the entire room tensed. Eyes immediately turned toward her, their gazes sharp with unspoken warnings.
A silent understanding passed between them.
Still, without a word, they began to act.
One by one, the elders raised layers upon layers of barriers. The translucent formations pulsed with energy, sealing off any trace of their conversation. It wasn't just a precaution — it was a necessity. They knew well the danger of what they were about to discuss.
The layers of protection grew so dense that if any God were to probe this chamber with their divine sense, the sudden obstruction would undoubtedly raise suspicion. But thankfully, the only god within the Eternal Night Divine Kingdom was far from capable of such a feat.
Shen Yanye was suffering. Her body was broken. Her soul tormented. In her current state, even the slightest act of using divine sense would be unbearable.
Soon, their conversation resumed — a conversation that would inevitably shape the fate of their kingdom.
-------
As everyone remained preoccupied with the turmoil and unrest sweeping through the Abyss, a sudden piece of news erupted like a thunderclap — a revelation that shook the entire world to its core.
A single announcement, yet it sent waves of disbelief and urgency across every corner of the realm.
Meng Jianyuan has been seen in the outer area of the Endless Fog Sea!
The words spread like wildfire, and within moments, the Abyss trembled beneath the weight of countless rising auras. The oppressive might of Divine Limited Realm cultivators surged into the sky, each presence echoing with immense power. But even their astonishing strength was overshadowed by an even greater force.
True Gods.
The divine beings whose presence reigned supreme over the Abyss. The moment the news reached them, their godly auras erupted without restraint, piercing the heavens like blazing comets. The once still sky was now filled with radiant streaks of light, each one heading toward the same destination.
But what truly shook the world was the reaction of the Ancient True Gods.
Those ancient beings, whose power surpassed even that of the strongest True Gods, rarely stepped beyond the sanctity of Pure Land. Yet now, even they had forsaken their watchful thrones. Without a moment of hesitation, their unfathomable auras tore through space itself, each ripple of their presence sending waves of pressure across the Abyss.
The skies trembled. The lands quivered.
All eyes turned toward the source of the commotion.
The Endless Fog Sea.