Rebirth in Against the Gods with The Ultimate System

As they conversed among themselves, a sudden commotion erupted behind them, prompting all to turn and face the source of the disturbance. Their attention was drawn to an elderly man approaching the emperor's audience, clad in the distinguished robes of the Heavenly Sword Villa. With his short stature, black hair framing his tan skin, and a distinctive crest-like piece of hair shifting atop his forehead, the man stood out amidst the crowd.

Cang Yue's eyes widened in recognition, a sense of awe creeping into her expression as she realized the identity of the approaching figure. "It's Ma Tsu, the renowned swordsmith. What could he be doing at the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament?"

The mention of Ma Tsu's name piqued the curiosity of Yun Che and his companions. His existence was not even in the system's record due to this world being an alternate world of the real Against the Gods. Turning to Cang Yue for clarification, Yun Che inquired, "Ma Tsu?"

"Who the hell is that?" Kon interjected, voicing the sentiments of the group.

As Cang Yue approached her father, she took the opportunity to shed light on the identity of the elderly man, Ma Tsu, for her companions. "He's the renowned swordsmith of the Ma Family," she explained, her voice carrying a note of reverence. "The Heavenly Sword Villa exclusively contracts their services for sword forging. Rumor has it that Ma Tsu's craftsmanship is so extraordinary that the villa refuses to entrust their swords to any other sects."

Listening intently, Yun Che and the others followed Cang Yue toward her father, eager to pay their respects to the esteemed swordsmith and the emperor. Meanwhile, Yuanba and Kon remained behind, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding events.

As they approached, Cang Wanhe greeted Ma Tsu warmly, acknowledging his presence with a nod. Xue Ling, having formerly been associated with the Heavenly Sword Villa, offered a silent gesture of recognition.

Cang Yue respectfully cupped her hands in greeting toward Ma Tsu, expressing her admiration for his craft. "It is an honor to meet such a renowned swordsmith," she remarked graciously.

In response, Ma Tsu offered a humble smile, reciprocating the respect. "Princess Cang Yue, your kind words do me honor," he replied, his tone reflecting humility despite his reputation. "And you have grown into a truly remarkable woman."

Observing Yun Che and the others, Ma Tsu's gaze lingered on them with keen interest, noting their striking appearance. "Ah, your companions," he remarked, addressing Cang Yue. "They possess a rare elegance that rivals even the beauty of flowers."

Cang Yue nodded affirmatively. "Indeed, they are my family," she affirmed proudly, emphasizing the bond between them.

Yun Che, reflecting on Ma Tsu's presence, couldn't help but marvel at the blacksmith's legendary status. Despite his advanced age and formidable cultivation, Ma Tsu's dedication to his craft remained unparalleled, forging countless swords each day for the Heavenly Sword Villa.

The old man's gaze lingered on Cang Yue's katanas, a glint of curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Dear princess, are you joining this tournament as well?" he inquired, his voice tinged with genuine interest.

"Yes, I'll be representing the Blue Wind Imperial Family," Cang Yue confirmed, her tone resolute as she acknowledged her participation. Ma Tsu's attention shifted to the trio of swords at her waist, his curiosity piqued by their unique craftsmanship. Could these be the weapons she intended to wield in the tournament?

Intrigued, Ma Tsu couldn't resist the urge to examine the swords up close. "Would you honor this old man by allowing me to inspect your sword?" he requested, his tone humble yet tinged with anticipation.

Cang Yue hesitated for a moment, glancing toward Yun Che for reassurance. With a silent nod of approval from him, she gingerly drew one of her katanas and presented it to Ma Tsu, her curiosity matching his own.

As Ma Tsu's experienced hands wrapped around the hilt, a wave of excitement and awe washed over him. The craftsmanship of the sword was unlike anything he had ever encountered, each detail meticulously crafted with unparalleled precision.

"What kind of sword..." Ma Tsu's voice trailed off, his breath quickening as he examined the blade, his hands trembling slightly with excitement. Sensing his master's agitation, his attendants and Cang Wanhe turned their attention toward the unfolding scene, their curiosity piqued by Ma Tsu's reaction.

As Ma Tsu struggled to contain his emotions, he ran his fingers along the scabbard, marveling at the sword's elegance and flawless construction. "This sword... I must calm down," he murmured to himself, his heart racing with excitement. "Such precision in its forging... Who is the master behind this remarkable blade?"

The old man turned towards Cang Yue and declared, "Dear Princess, this old man wishes to buy this sword. If you sell it to me, I will personally forge you a sword of your own choosing." The nearby spectators were left stunned. Cang Yue's sword had impressed the great Ma Tsu himself?

"A sword from the Great Ma Tsu. How envious…" murmured the crowd, unaware of the true value behind Cang Yue's swords.

"She better accept the offer. Ma Tsu never personally forges a sword for someone," another voice chimed in, echoing the sentiment of the astonished onlookers.

However, Yun Che shook his head, remembering a similar situation before. Essentially, it was an obvious scam if Cang Yue were to trade her sword for this old man's creation. It would be like trading a diamond for coal. Cang Yue instantly understood his intention and elegantly shook her head, rejecting his offer. "I am sorry… it is not for sale."

Ma Tsu immediately countered with his bid. "I am willing to buy it for eighty thousand purple profound coins," he offered. This caused an uproar among the spectators, as Ma Tsu was known to never buy a sword from someone.

"How shameless," Retsu shook her head, followed by Nemu and Mio, who shared the sentiment.

"No… it is…" Cang Yue attempted to reject again, but she was abruptly cut off by the old man, who now seemed determined to persuade her otherwise.

"Two hundred thousand purple profound coins…" As Ma Tsu uttered the staggering offer, the nearby crowd's mouths widened in disbelief. Meanwhile, Cang Yue maintained her calm composure, silently contemplating her response.

"Six hundred thousand," Ma Tsu persisted, essentially offering up his entire fortune for this single blade.

Despite the escalating bids, Cang Yue remained composed. Ma Tsu then presented four black cards, each containing two hundred thousand Purple Profound coins, offering them to Cang Yue. "You've got this old man. Eight hundred thousand is the highest I can offer. Please sell this sword to me."

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of whispers and gasps. What kind of sword could warrant such a staggering price from the renowned swordsmith? Even Cang Wanhe, usually composed, couldn't help but be taken aback by the situation. The value of his daughter's sword had clearly surpassed everyone's expectations.

Amidst the commotion, Xue Ling couldn't suppress her amusement and let out a giggle.

Maintaining her composure, Cang Yue bowed her head respectfully. "I am sorry, Lord Ma Tsu. It is not for sale. The sword was forged as a gift from my master, and it would be an insult to sell his creation. He once said that if he could sell it, it would be worth twenty million purple profound coins."

The memory of Yun Che's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the sword's true worth. It was a Tyrant Profound rank sword, one of the Great Grade Blades, just below the Sovereign Rank weapons or Supreme Grade Blades like Yun Che's Yoru, Mio's Murakumogiri, and Retsu's Kitetsu.

"TWENTY MILLION?!?!" The old man's reaction mirrored that of the crowd's astonishment. Some among them called Cang Yue shameless for suggesting such an exorbitant price for a sword, but only those in her party knew the true value of the named katana. Unable to comprehend the staggering price, the old man found himself speechless, realizing he had attempted to purchase a blade of such unparalleled quality with a paltry sum.

As the realization dawned on him, Ma Tsu widened his eyes, recalling that Cang Yue's swords were forged by her master. And if the rumors circulating over the past week were true, then her master was none other than the Greatest Swordsman of the Blue Wind Empire, Dracule Mihawk. The old man decided to confirm this revelation one last time. "Your master? Dracule Mihawk?"

"Yes…" Cang Yue's confident reply was accompanied by a silent glance toward Yun Che. Her master had been beside her all along, yet the old man had disregarded him as if he were a nobody.

The old swordsmith swiftly resheathed her sword and returned it to Cang Yue, realizing the potential offense he had risked by bothering his disciple. Envy flickered in his eyes as he considered the implications. While their clan was renowned for crafting swords, they only boasted a few Sky Profound Realm masters. In contrast, Dracule Mihawk was rumored to possess power capable of swiftly dispatching Emperor Profound Realm cultivators. The old man couldn't fathom the consequences of offending such a figure. "I see… please forgive this old man for troubling you, dear princess. Can you tell me what kind of sword this is? This old man has never seen a curved blade before. It even has a blunt side at the top."

"It's a katana," Cang Yue responded calmly.

Old man Ma Tsu's eyes widened. "Katana... This old man has never heard of such a sword before. Judging by its appearance and craftsmanship…" Ma Tsu shook once more, coming to a startling conclusion. If a sword were made with absolute perfection, there was only one possible outcome.

A named sword!

In the profound world, named swords were the stuff of legend. These were blades crafted by blacksmiths who poured every ounce of their energy into creating a weapon that could bear a name. These swords were passed down through generations of cultivators, their names echoing through the annals of history. To create a named sword, the materials used must be of at least Sky Profound level, with the strongest being the Sovereign level swords. While many named swords existed, only a true named sword could achieve legendary status.

Ma Tsu recalled stories of the swords of the Moon Empress, lost somewhere in the world. He would give anything to witness those legendary blades, rumored to be at the Sovereign Profound level.

Little did he know, the sword he had just returned to Cang Yue was none other than the former sword of the Moon Empress.

He had never laid eyes upon a Sovereign level sword before. Rumors had reached his ears of Dracule Mihawk's possession of a black blade, rumored to be Sovereign level. Ma Tsu had traveled from far and wide, hoping to see and appraise the sword for himself, but luck had not been on his side. Mihawk had vanished before Ma Tsu could even set foot in the capital city.

Ma Tsu drew the sword once more and appraised its beauty. Even his attendants were mesmerized by its weightlessness, and the blade was carved with absolute precision.

"A sword like this must have a name," Ma Tsu mused, eyeing the princess. If this sword was crafted to perfection, he must know its name.

"It is Wadou Ichimonji," Cang Yue replied, her voice carrying the weight of familiarity. She was accustomed to speaking its name in Japanese.

Ma Tsu was taken aback, the name unfamiliar to his ears. Could it be the language her master spoke? "What kind of name is that? Does it have a meaning?"

"It means the Straight Path of Harmony," Cang Yue explained, her smile radiant with pride.

"Dear princess, will you do the honors of introducing this old man to your master? This one wishes to learn his methods of creating such spectacular swords," Ma Tsu asked with a hopeful expression.

Cang Yue shifted her eyes towards Yun Che, who responded with a subtle roll of his eyes. Cang Yue smiled as she bowed again. "I am sorry. My master isn't easily met and refuses to share his methods."

"It is a shame. He is the strongest swordsman of the Blue Wind Empire after all. Thank you for humoring this old man," Ma Tsu replied, bowing respectfully before leaving with a sigh. The swords in Cang Yue's hands were of excellent quality, and he couldn't help but regret trying to rip her off for them.

"This old man wishes greatness to you and the emperor. Forgive this old man should he have tried to offend you," Ma Tsu spoke before turning away. If Cang Yue wasn't backed by anyone, he would use his power in the Heavenly Sword Villa to obtain those heavenly swords but knowing that swordsman is behind her, he decides to forget it.

"Ah, the honor is mine," Cang Yue nodded graciously.

"Glad that's over," Yun Che thought to himself. The audacity of that old man to try to swindle Cang Yue out of her swords was unbelievable. Those Meitos were hers and hers alone. He silently thanked his stars that Ma Tsu hadn't seen Mio and Retsu's Supreme Grade Meitos. Who knew how he would have reacted to those?

As Yun Che was lost in thought, he suddenly realized Cang Wanhe was standing behind him when Cang Yue called out.

"Father…" Cang Yue bowed respectfully. She noticed Xue Ling's presence and braced herself for a scolding.

"You're not going to scold me for entering, right? I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You would have disagreed," Cang Yue apologized, expecting reprimand.

"Why would I? You've grown into a dazzling cultivator. The third queen would be proud of you if she were here. I am proud of you. You're not the meek princess you used to be anymore," Xue Ling replied with a tone of sisterly pride.

"Big sis…" Cang Yue embraced her older sister figure, feeling a surge of warmth and affection. Cang Wanhe observed the tender moment between his daughter and her protector, marveling at the bond they shared. He couldn't help but reflect on the promise of protection that the Heavenly Sword Villa had made to safeguard Cang Xue's bloodline. Cang Yue, as the last of her bloodline, was now under the vigilant care of Xue Ling, who had fulfilled her vow.

"Your Majesty," Yun Che addressed Cang Wanhe, as he stood up from his seat to speak to his daughter.

"Yue'er, you didn't tell me you were entering as well," Cang Wanhe expressed his concern.

"Are you here to tell me to forfeit?" Cang Yue questioned, anticipating her father's disapproval. However, to her surprise, Cang Wanhe smiled and shook his head.

"No, if you were able to recruit them to your cause, then I'll put my trust in you. You joined up and worked together with them. My little girl is all grown up. Just please be careful. Seeing you hurt is the last thing I want," Cang Wanhe spoke with paternal concern.

"Father…" Cang Yue hugged him tightly, her heart swelling with determination to succeed in the tournament.

"Yun Che, please watch over my daughter in my stead," Cang Wanhe requested earnestly.

"Yeah… Don't worry, old man. You'll be surprised later," Yun Che replied casually, stunning everyone around with his nonchalant demeanor. Even Yuanba was left speechless, witnessing Yun Che address the emperor so casually. The royal guards and even Qin Wushang nearby were equally taken aback. Just how familiar was Yun Che with the royal family to speak so casually?

"Please excuse me," Cang Wanhe said with a smile before returning to his seat, accompanied by his astonished guards as Yun Che returned back to their seating zone. Despite his concerns for Cang Yue, he had gained a measure of reassurance knowing that she had Dracule Mihawk as her master. He was content to let her pursue her own path as long as she remained true to her principles. After all, a father's worries for his daughter never truly fade.

As the sun reached its zenith and noon descended upon the arena, marking the official commencement of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Thousands of spectators had gathered, their eyes trained on Ling Wugou as he took flight, his voice amplified to ensure every word reached the eager crowd.

"Now, let this old man declare the prize of this Ranking Tournament," Ling Wugou's proclamation resonated through the air, commanding the attention of all present. As he began to detail the rewards awaiting the victors, Yun Che found himself lost in his novel, paying little heed to the specifics.

As Cang Yue listened, she paid no heed on the prizes as well as the honor of winning the tournament is what she wants. The honor that restores glory to her family.

In essence, what he gleaned from the discourse was that the first prize was the Sky Profound Treasure - Dragonscale Armor from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. However, to Yun Che, this offering paled in comparison to his own vibramantium armor and the system's Shihakushou. Besides, he had other plans for Su Ling'er's armor, opting to craft something more suited to her should they reunite.

The second prize consisted of three drops of a quenching fluid, and the third prize was a pellet of some sort. Neither of these offerings caught his interest, especially when compared to the superior options provided by the system. The system had simplified its naming conventions, labeling one of his creations as the XP Pill. If he discovered a stronger variant, it would be dubbed XP Mark II, and so forth.

Feeling a bit bored, Yun Che mentally accessed the system to locate the pills he had just considered. However, he soon discovered that XP pills were only effective for human cultivators, resulting in a negligible increase in his experience bar when he attempted to use them.

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[The XP pill Mark I – Increased cultivation by 500 points instantly. If a mortal cultivator consumes it, increase their cultivation by half a small realm. As their realm increases, their effectiveness is slowly diminishing. Only works if one consumes once a month. If consumed continuously, it only applied 10% of effectiveness.]

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Indeed, the principle held true even in games: as one's experience pool expanded in order to reach the next level, better items were necessary to facilitate growth. Yun Che recalled how he had previously gifted these pills to Cang Yue, aiding her in reaching the Peak Spirit Profound Realm and unlocking the Moon Empress's inheritance. However, now that she had surpassed those stages, the pills held little value for her.

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[The XP Pill Mark II – Instantly increases cultivation by 1000 points. Mortal cultivators who consume it experience an advancement in a small realm or a level. However, as their cultivation realm increases, their effectiveness gradually diminishes. Continuous consumption results in only 10% effectiveness. If consumed by a lower level, it boost their powers tremendously.]

[The XP Pill Mark III – Instantly increases cultivation by 10,000 points. Mortal cultivators who consume it will advance by one small realm or a level in the later stages of the mortal realm (Emperor, Tyrant, and Sovereign). Similar to the Mark II, its effectiveness diminishes as the cultivation realm rises, with continuous consumption resulting in only 10% effectiveness. If consumed by a lower level, it boosts their powers tremendously.]

=====================

The Mark III variation, he had gifted to Little Fairy to accelerate her cultivation to the later stages of the Emperor Profound Realm. As per her younger sister's reports, she had reached the pinnacle and was likely at the Half-Step Tyrant Profound Realm by now. Sensing a similar energy emanating from Chu Yueli back in the tomb, Yun Che deduced that Little Fairy had likely provided her with one of the Mark III pills, boosting her cultivation to the peak of the Sky Profound Realm. It was no wonder she had participated in the tomb selection previously.

In addition to the XP Pills, there were other variants like the Refining Pill, Stabilization Pill, Cleansing Pill, and more, including the infamous Boost Attack Pill and the Super Boost Attack Pill, along with the Enhance Critical Pill – all straightforward and to the point. It was a system that simplified everything, making life easier for Yun Che. He never tried them before since he has sufficient strength to do anything.

"Ah, system... you've certainly made everything simpler," Yun Che remarked within his mind, acknowledging the system's efficiency.

=================

[Ding…. Thank you.]

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"And boring." Yun Che remarked.

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[Deal with it.]

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As Ling Wugou's declaration continued, Yun Che's attention was finally captured by the announcement. "Top ten forces in the ranking tournament, after the tournament, will be qualified to explore the 'Heaven Basin Secret Realm' in teams."

Little Fairy had previously explained this to Retsu and Cang Yue, who in turn shared the information with Mio and Nemu during their training sessions. The Heaven Basin Secret Realm held the key to the teleportation formation leading to the Azure Cloud Continent hidden within the Heretic God Seed of Water. It was one of the main reasons Yun Che had decided to participate in the tournament – to gain access to the realm and acquire the teleportation formation. Moreover, the Azure Cloud Continent hides another Piece of Eden. More the reason to teleport and find it.

But the declaration didn't stop there. "The top ten forces in the ranking tournament, after the exploration of the 'Heavenly Basin Secret Realm,' will have the opportunity to witness the 'Demon' Sealing Ritual personally conducted by Elder Ling Kun of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region," Ling Wugou continued.

The mention of the Demon Sealing Ritual sent a surge of determination through Yun Che. The so-called "demon" was none other than the original Yun Che's family member – his grandfather, Yun Canghai. Despite lacking any personal connection to him, Yun Che felt a responsibility to save him from the fate of being a mere spectacle in the ritual. Since assuming this body, Yun Che considered Yun Canghai as his own family and had plans for him.

"Demon Sealing Ritual? What's that?" Xia Yuanba's puzzled inquiry directed towards him snapped Yun Che out of his thoughts.

"It's a sealing ritual for a demon, a barbaric show." Yun Che replied, his gaze obscured by his bangs. But internally, he added, "Only it's not a demon."

Just then, Xia Yuanba's name was called by Qin Wushuang, signaling the start of the Profound Assessment. With a nod, Yun Che bid his friend a temporary farewell as his mind drifted back to the memories of their training sessions from three days ago.

============

Three days ago – Blue Wind Mountain Range

============

News of Dracule Mihawk's victories over potential suitors was strictly contained within the palace walls under the Emperor's orders, meant to spare the pride of the defeated sects. To utilize their time effectively, Yun Che and his companions spent the following week in the mountain range, focusing on enhancing their bending skills and Cang Yue's Rokushiki Arts, all while overseeing the completion of their new manor.

Despite Nemu's recent breakthrough into the True Profound Realm and her mastery of basic haki, Yun Che postponed her Zanpakuto awakening. He deemed it necessary for her to be fully prepared, as awakening her Zanpakuto would lead to the attainment of a visored state. Instead, he planned to utilize the Heaven Basin Secret Realm to mask her awakening process, ensuring they wouldn't draw undue attention. During their time there, with the assistance of the system, Nemu could achieve Bankai safely. Thus, Yun Che focused on training her to awaken her Zanpakuto and reach the Bankai state within the three-day period they would spend in the secret realm.

During one of their usual lunch gatherings, Cang Yue began relaying tournament information she had gleaned from Little Fairy, with Retsu adding to her statements. However, Yun Che's silence was suddenly interrupted by Nemu's curious question about the Demon Sealing Ritual.

"Yuu-sama, what is the Demon Sealing Ritual?" Nemu's inquiry caught Yun Che off guard, prompting him to reflect on his past as Yun Che. He remembered the sorrowful tale of the demon who had to perish to release him from the seal that once trapped him. Would he be compelled to do the same? The memory of reading the chapter where Yun Che bringing back his grandfather in a coffin, witnessed by his real father's tears, stirred conflicting emotions within him. Though he felt no personal attachment, the inhumanity of torturing an old man for the sake of peace weighed heavily on his conscience, evoking painful memories from his original world.

Back in his world as Yuuki, he had been all alone, devoid of any familial bonds. Yet, despite being whisked away from one universe to another, he found himself entangled in the lives of Yun Che's family. It was a perplexing contradiction—why should he care about the fate of Yun Che's relatives when they were not his own? And yet, his actions belied his detached demeanor.

He couldn't shake off the lingering guilt from his past decisions. Despite having the opportunity to abandon Xiao Clan and Yun Che's family when he first arrived, he had chosen to stay, even going so far as to participate in Yun Che's wedding and leaving behind a legacy for his grandfather. The unexpected emergence of Xiao Lingxi in his life had also left its mark, despite their brief acquaintance.

Now, faced with the plight of Yun Che's grandfather, he found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. Should he adhere to the original storyline and leave the old man to his fate, or intervene and alter the course of events? Despite his reservations, a sense of connection tugged at his heartstrings. Though his soul may not be Yun Che's, his blood still bore the ties of kinship.

Lost in his contemplations, he was snapped back to reality by the sound of Retsu's voice echoing in his mind.

"Yuu-kun? Are you okay?" Retsu's voice sounded in his mind.

Blinking away the haze of his thoughts, he turned to find Retsu, Mio, Nemu, and Cang Yue watching him with concern. It took a moment for him to register their inquiries, his mind still clouded by uncertainty.

"Yeah…" He offered them a smile, hoping to brush off their concerns with a casual demeanor. But Retsu, ever perceptive, saw through his facade.

"Yuu-kun… If something's bothering you, you can always talk to us. I know you inside out. I can tell when you're happy or when something's weighing on your mind," Retsu said, her tone laced with genuine concern, echoed by nods of agreement from the other girls.

"Danna-sama, please don't hesitate to share your troubles with us. We're here to listen and support you," Mio chimed in, her voice reflecting her worry.

"Yuu-sama, if it's too complicated, I'll do my best to simplify it for you. You can trust me," Nemu added, her words filled with sincerity.

"And Yun Che, remember that we're always here for you. You're not alone," Cang Yue reassured him, moving closer to him in a show of solidarity.

Yun Che was taken aback by their unwavering loyalty and understanding. They knew him better than he realized, and their willingness to stand by him touched him deeply. Though the matter at hand might seem trivial to some, their concern transformed it into something of greater significance.

"You girls are perceptive, as always. Just as I expected from my sweet fiancées," he sighed, acknowledging their insight. "It's about the Demon Sealing Ritual."

The mention of the ritual sparked curiosity among the girls. According to Cang Yue, it was merely a ceremonial display, but Yun Che knew it held deeper meaning for him. When Mio pressed him for details, he decided it was time to reveal the truth.

"Let's finish lunch first. Then I'll explain," he said, sensing the gravity of his revelation. The remainder of the meal passed in silence as they prepared themselves for what Yun Che had to say. Once they were done, he set his cup down, steeling himself to share his story.

"To answer Nemu's question, the Demon Sealing Ritual is a ceremony conducted by the Heavenly Sword Villa, overseen by the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. It's meant to seal away a demon. But that 'demon' is not a demon at all. It's my grandfather…."

He began recounting the dark history of his grandfather, who had been labeled as the "demon" and sealed within the Heavenly Sword Villa's Sword Management Terrace by the Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation. Yun Che played the Death Spirit Realm card for Cang Yue, while the other girls knew he had gained the information from the system.

"Goodness! How barbaric!" the girls exclaimed, their shock evident, but Yun Che pressed on with his narrative. "They made him into a spectacle, a show of their supposed superiority," he spoke with a solemn tone. "But he was no demon. His name was Yun Canghai… and mine is Yun Che. He was just a human from the Illusory Demon Realm, a continent beyond our own. There, humans possess greater profound power, with the weakest reaching Emperor Profound Realm and the strongest… well, you can guess."

Cang Yue was left speechless, her mind reeling with the realization that the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region had been torturing a fellow human being all along. Gritting her teeth, she felt a surge of anger towards the organization responsible for such cruelty. This was the first time she had ever harbored such intense hatred towards them.

Meanwhile, the other girls, who were already aware that their future husband housed was another soul within the body of Yun Che, listened intently as Yun Che relayed the truth. He knew Jasmine was listening in as well, and it was the first time they had all learned the full extent of Yun Che's past.

Yun Che continued his narrative, delving into events from a century ago when the Demon Emperor vanished and was rumored to have been captured in the Profound Sky Continent. He recounted how his grandfather, along with ten of the strongest Grand Elders of the Yun Family, had journeyed there in search of the Demon Emperor, only to be ambushed by the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. Yun Canghai had been the sole survivor, enduring imprisonment within the formation beneath the Heavenly Sword Villa's Sword Management Terrace.

Then, he recounted his own arrival in the Profound Sky Continent from the Illusory Demon Realm. He described how his parents had come to rescue his grandfather, only to be ensnared in an ambush orchestrated by the Sacred Ground's sect master alongside the Emperor of the Demon Realm. Their mission to retrieve the stolen Emperor Seal had turned into a deadly trap, with the sacred ground activating a formation to suppress their profound strength. Though his parents had managed to escape, they were ultimately crippled by a cold poison wielded by the Sun Moon Divine Hall.

The rest of them were shocked and immediately abandoned their lunch. After hearing this, most of them had the intent of going to the Sun Moon Divine Hall and the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region for payback but Yun Che simply stops them.

Then, he continued how his parents lived in the Profound Sky Continent as mortals on the run until they met with Xiao Ying. His adoptive father. He helps them by hiding them somewhere within Floating Cloud City. Since they were mortals once more, they were blessed with a child. That child was him. After he was born, the scouts from the sacred grounds found them and they managed to find a passageway back to the Illusory Demon Realm. However, Xiao Ying was afraid that they'll be killed if they didn't manage to escape so he swapped him and his son, so his bloodline didn't end. So, he lived as Xiao Che before beginning his training as a soul cultivator and let a dummy version of him being bullied and ridiculed until two years ago. The day of his resurrection as Yun Che.

The rest of his girls sympathize with him. Retsu immediately hugged him before he was joined in by Mio, Cang Yue and Nemu. To think he carried such a sad past with him. These girls minus Cang Yue knew he had no connections with the real Yun Che but somehow saddened with the fate befell his own blood kin. If things were to happen to Xiao Lingxi or Xiao Lie, he would go back to them as despite never met them truly, but he had connections with them.

As Nemu apologized, Yun Che reassured her with a gentle smile, patting her head affectionately. He knew that this was a story he had to share eventually, and he was glad the moment had finally come.

Cang Yue's question about his parents brought a wave of warmth to his heart. "Yes, they're doing well. They assured me of that. I'll visit them once everything here is settled."

With the sad part of his tale concluded, Yun Che transitioned into a more lighthearted version of events, weaving a tale of his time in the Death Spirit Realm. He recounted his training as a Soul Cultivator, his encounters with Retsu and Nemu, and the cultural and technological marvels he had discovered there. His grin was infectious as he spoke, dispelling the somber mood that had settled over them.

Cang Yue listened intently, marveling at the depth of Yun Che's experiences and the knowledge he had gained from this divine realm. She refrained from asking too many questions, understanding that this was already a lot to take in.

As Yun Che finished his tale, Cang Yue reflected on his words. She realized the weight of their upcoming challenge and the significance of their victory. "So, you have to win the tournament. For me, for Xia Qingyue, and for your grandfather?" she asked.

Yun Che nodded firmly. "Yes," he affirmed, feeling a surge of determination. But before he could say more, Cang Yue took his hands in hers, her gaze unwavering.

"We'll win this," she declared with conviction, her words echoing the resolve of the group. In a spontaneous display of unity, all four of them embraced in a tight group hug. Yun Che's grin widened as he felt the bond between them grow stronger.

"Yeah," he agreed wholeheartedly, his confidence renewed. "Let's win this.

Cang Yue's curiosity sparked a new line of questioning. "Wait, just to clarify. You said you met Retsu and Nemu in the Dead Spirit Realm?"

Yun Che nodded, unaware of where her inquiry was leading. "Yes?"

"First, it was Retsu, and then Nemu completed her training and came to us," Cang Yue reasoned, her expression growing more intent. Then, she dropped the bombshell. "Are there any others who will come along?"

Yun Che hesitated, knowing he couldn't reveal too much about the summoning process. "There will be in the future, but I don't know about the others as they are still completing their training. It's a big group after all."

But his slip of the tongue didn't escape Cang Yue's notice. "Girls?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Yun Che glanced sideways, realizing his mistake. Retsu and Nemu also exchanged knowing looks, aware of the summoning cubes but uncertain about how they selected their next companions. The implication seemed to suggest that the next arrivals might be women.

Cang Yue wasn't about to let him off easy. She grabbed his cheeks, forcing him to meet her gaze directly. "Look at me and say that again."

Yun Che tried to defuse the situation with a sheepish grin. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure we're enough. The other members should be dispatched to different parts of the world."

But Cang Yue wasn't convinced, her suspicion lingering in the air like an unspoken question waiting to be answered.

*Stare….

Cang Yue and Mio stared at him, their scrutiny making him sweat bullets. Even Retsu and Nemu seemed to pick up on the pattern. Mio, in particular, seemed to have pieced together the puzzle. So far, only Kon, Zangetsu, and Quincy Zangetsu were the only males beside him. All the other spirits were women. Moreover, Retsu and Nemu had come along first, followed by her. And now, with the addition of Yoru and Yoruko, even his phoenix and dragon spirits were females. It was a consistent trend that suggested his next summon might also be a girl.

Yun Che tried to shift the subject, mumbling something about needing to clean up, but Cang Yue and Mio weren't letting him off the hook that easily. They grabbed his shoulders, their expressions serious.

"Yun Che, Danna-sama..." they began, their voices laced with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Yun Che looked to Retsu and Nemu for help, but they had already slipped away, pretending to clean up their lunch.

"Stay alive, Yuu-kun," Retsu called out playfully.

"You'll be fine, Yuu-sama," Nemu offered her support.

Left alone with Cang Yue and Mio, Yun Che felt like he was being held hostage. Cang Yue's inquiry about his other groupmates in the Dead Spirit Realm, and Mio's curiosity about potential summons, left him scrambling for a safe answer.

He carefully navigated his response, admitting to having female groupmates but downplaying his familiarity with them compared to Retsu and Nemu. Thankfully, Cang Yue and Mio seemed satisfied for now, their jealousy likely fueled by the thought of others from his past life potentially appearing. They apologized for their jealousy, and Yun Che hugged them both, finding their concern endearing.

In the end, they moved on from the topic, but Yun Che couldn't help but wonder if his next summon would indeed be another addition to his female-dominated group of spirits.

================

Yun Che's mind jolted back to the present, his hands clasped firmly by Retsu, Mio, Cang Yue, and Nemu. Their determined eyes mirrored his own inner turmoil.

"Yuu-kun," Retsu's voice cut through the tension, firm yet gentle. "We'll win this. For your grandfather."

Her words ignited a fire within him, dispelling the haze of doubt that clouded his thoughts. He glanced around at his companions, each one a pillar of unwavering support.

As he took in their resolve, a notification flashed before his eyes, pulling him further into the urgency of the moment.

==============

[Ding… Main Mission triggered – Free your grandfather from the Demon Sealing Ritual.]

[Experience: 500000XP SP: 85000]

[Main Mission Achievements: He's Alive! – Alter your grandfather's fatal fate.]

[Your grandfather is sealed shut in that blasted formation. Free him and alter his fate.]

[Reward: One Wisdom Cube. A Kido spell of your choice.]

================

The promise of a Wisdom Cube as a reward spurred him forward, but it was the thought of his grandfather's smile seeing him as a grandson, of the life they could reclaim together, that fueled his determination.

With renewed purpose, Yun Che met the gaze of his fiancees, a silent vow passing between them. They would overcome this trial, no matter the cost. For family. For love. For the chance of a new beginning for his grandfather.