Against the Gods: Final Battle

"Caili and I are engaged. This engagement was personally granted by Emperor Yuan. Everyone in the Abyss knows it. I don't want anyone getting close to my fiancée—do you understand?" Dian Jiuzhi's voice grew colder with each word. When it came to anything involving Caili, he was fiercely protective.

"I understand what you mean, brother. But who wouldn't be drawn to someone like Goddess Caili? Before you two are officially married, anything can still happen." Yun Che seemed completely unfazed by the icy threat in Dian Jiuzhi's tone and continued to praise Caili openly.

"Yun Che! Mark my words—Caili belongs only to me. Anyone who tries to take her away will die, no matter who they are!" Dian Jiuzhi's domineering attitude was unmistakable. He wouldn't tolerate even the slightest threat to Caili.

His tone grew even colder. He felt he had been more than patient and clear enough. If Yun Che didn't get the message and continued pestering Caili, Dian Jiuzhi wouldn't be so calm anymore.

"Haha, Brother Dian, why lose your cool? If Caili truly loves you, why would she care about anyone else's opinion? I was just making conversation." Yun Che chuckled, trying to ease the tension between them. "I still want to try my luck, though. I'll take my leave for now."

Dian Jiuzhi's face flushed deeper.

"If it weren't for the close ties between our countries and the friendship between Father God and Dreamless God, I wouldn't let you walk away alive. Touch my reverse scale again and you'll meet death!" Dian Jiuzhi murmured lowly as he watched Yun Che walk away, his expression icy as winter.

Yun Che's calm confidence unnerved him. It was as if Caili belonged to Yun Che by right—no hesitation, no concealment, no retreat. That calmness made Dian Jiuzhi feel restless, frustrated, and furious.

After leaving Dian Jiuzhi behind, Yun Che continued his "aimless" journey, gradually drawing closer to Hua Caili's location, which wasn't far off.

"Brother Yun!" Hua Caili exclaimed in surprise, barely able to hide her excitement. She hadn't expected to meet Yun Che—whom she'd thought about endlessly—at the end of her journey through the Sea of Mist.

At the sight of Yun Che, Hua Caili's joy bubbled over like a little white rabbit eager to run into his arms, ignoring the dangers of the fog sea and any prying eyes.

"Caili, our fate truly is heaven-sent. Even in this vast sea of fog, we still find each other." Yun Che smiled warmly, arms open wide with nothing but tenderness in his gaze.

"Hmph, after all these days and just as the journey is ending, we finally meet. You must not have been searching for me seriously." Caili teased as she threw herself into Yun Che's embrace, clutching him tightly, afraid he might slip away again.

"To find you, I didn't even bother collecting Abyss Cores properly. I just grabbed what I could along the way. You're more important than the entire Dreamweaver Kingdom." Yun Che held out the Abyss Core he had collected with his right hand, while his left gently stroked her hair.

"That's more like it. I forgive you. But this battle in the Sea of Mist concerns the fate of the Kingdom of God. Brother Yun, you can't abandon justice for my sake—that would make me uneasy." Hua Caili tightened her hold on him. "But I'm really happy you said and did that. Once we return, we can be together officially. No more sneaking around."

"Father God promised me that after this battle in the Sea of Mist, he would petition Emperor Yuan to annul our engagement. Then, we can have Uncle Emperor Yuan formally grant us marriage. How does that sound?" Hua Caili's eyes shone with hope, dreaming of a brighter future.

"No matter what happens, I'll face it with you. Even if mountains of swords or seas of fire stand before me, I won't abandon you." Yun Che lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair.

"Me too. My heart and my life belong only to you, Brother Yun. No matter how difficult the road ahead, I'll walk it by your side." Hua Caili murmured softly but with unwavering resolve.

They clung to each other, lost in bliss. Even Yuanchen and Yuanshou tactfully avoided disturbing them.

"By the way, Brother Yun, where's your Yunli Sword?" Hua Caili's memory of the scarlet heavy sword was vivid, and now she noticed it was missing.

"Before I came here, I ran into the legendary Mist Emperor. I killed too many Abyss Beasts and angered him. He hunted me down and destroyed my Yunli Sword… Luckily, a priest saved me, so I wasn't seriously hurt." Yun Che's words were casual, but the danger was clear to anyone listening.

Hua Caili stared blankly at him, tears welling quickly in her eyes. If Yun Che hadn't been standing right in front of her, whole and safe, she would have broken down.

"Brother Yun, promise me—no matter what happens, the most important thing is to protect yourself. If I lose you, I don't know how I'll live."

"For three years since you left, I've thought about you constantly. Because you waited for me, I had the courage to enter the Seven Star Heaven Breaking Formation. Because of you, I've felt happiness. You must promise me you'll protect yourself first—no matter what."

Hua Caili cupped Yun Che's face in both hands, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. Her entire heart belonged to him, with no room for anyone else.

"Okay, I promise. I'll cherish my life because I know there's a beautiful, kind, and lovely Caili waiting for me." Yun Che squeezed her hands gently.

"That's good! And one more thing—you're not allowed to risk your life for me. No dangerous stunts. Even if you can't become the Lord of Dreams someday, it doesn't matter—I'll always be by your side. You're only at the Lord of Gods level now, so you don't need to push yourself too hard. The future belongs to both of us, and I won't let you bear the burden alone. Without you, the future has no meaning."

Hua Caili had many more things to say, but Yun Che didn't give her the chance. He pulled her close, warm breath mingling with her sweet scent.

Their lips met, tongues entwined naturally as if they had rehearsed it a thousand times—harmonious, passionate, and full of unspoken words.

While the two shared their fervent embrace, another figure stood nearby. The flames radiating from him were far fiercer than those between Yun Che and Hua Caili—a volcano ready to erupt. When it finally did, the jealous fire would soar skyward, unstoppable.

He endured once. He showed grace twice. But the third time…

"Yun!"

"Che!"

"You're asking for your death!!!"

Dian Jiuzhi's voice thundered like a storm, shaking the heavens, though his body trembled with barely contained fury.