Rebirth in Against the Gods with The Ultimate System

The heart of the New Moon Profound Palace was a vast expanse of sparse emerald-green bamboo forest, with a magnificent palace standing proudly within it. This palace exuded an air of regal importance and was the grandest structure within the entire New Moon Profound Palace. Aptly named the "Main Palace," it served as the central hub for all significant affairs conducted within the palace, including the upcoming banquet to appoint the new Palace Chief.

Yun Che wore his customary white coat, while Retsu was veiled and adorned in a graceful kimono. She had opted for a different pattern this time, although she still maintained the elegant shade of purple.

When Yun Che, Retsu, and Xia Yuanba entered the Main Palace, there was less than a quarter of an hour remaining until the banquet's commencement. However, barely one-fifth of the seats were occupied, and most of the attendees hailed from the Profound Department itself.

"Why aren't the seats filled yet? Are we too early?" Xia Yuanba wondered aloud.

Yun Che responded with a touch of disdain, "Hmph, it's clear that it's not because the invited sects couldn't arrive earlier. Instead, they deliberately chose not to. It's a way to flaunt their status, thinking that the most influential powers should arrive fashionably late. At the same time, it's a form of contempt toward the New Moon Profound Palace."

Retsu inquired, "Is that the reason, young master?"

"It is," Yun Che affirmed.

"Never thought about it that way, brother-in-law," Yuanba acknowledged the harsh reality of the banquet.

As they proceeded into the main hall, they coincidentally encountered Murong Ye. He glanced at them and spoke in an unfriendly tone, his past humiliation still fresh in his memory. "What are the three of you doing here? Do you even know the significance of this banquet? Leave immediately!"

Yun Che retorted without hesitation, "Oh, spare us your nonsense. We're here because the principal personally invited us. Besides, anyone with enough strength can attend, provided they win their way in. And what about you? A mere eight-level Nascent Profound Realm dares to show his face here?"

"You... How dare you show me disrespect?" His sudden outburst drew the attention of those present, but none of them seemed to mind. After all, he had just insulted the individual who had soundly defeated him three weeks ago.

"Have you not learned your lesson from three weeks ago?" Yun Che taunted him, targeting the source of his humiliation.

"YOU!!!" Murong Ye leaped forward, attempting to strike Yun Che. He hoped to provoke a reaction that would involve Yun Che retaliating, knowing that his father would then step in and administer punishment. However, before his fist could land, he felt his hand being forcefully restrained.

"You... Junior Xia, how...?" The one restraining Murong Ye was not Yun Che or anyone else but Xia Yuanba himself. With their equal strength, Yuanba was no longer inclined to be humble and polite.

"You're not the only strong one here," Yuanba declared as he released Murong Ye's arm, sending shockwaves through the audience. While they were aware of Xia Yuanba's capabilities, they had not expected him to restrain the infamous Murong Ye so effortlessly.

A voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention. All four of them turned toward its source.

"Father..." Murong Ye started to speak, his expression filled with both relief and complaints, but before he could continue...

SLAP

A resounding slap echoed through the hall as the governor, Murong Ye's father, struck his son's cheek.

"You despicable child! How dare you cause me to lose face here? Return to your seat and contemplate your actions. My apologies to you three for the lack of respect my son has shown you," the governor reprimanded his son sternly. He then turned to Yun Che and Retsu, acknowledging the defeat of his son at their hands. He felt a sense of relief that someone had finally put his arrogant son in his place. Now, he hoped that Murong Ye would think twice before acting recklessly again.

Yun Che, unaware of the governor's thoughts, responded respectfully, "It's quite alright, Governor. We understand. Thank you for your intervention. We shall take our leave now." With a polite nod, he and Retsu turned and headed toward the entrance. Meanwhile, Murong Ye felt another wave of humiliation as his father did not come to his defense but instead chastised him in front of everyone. He had lost his support and could only watch the three of them walk away.

At the entrance, Yun Che was greeted by a familiar and lovely face. The owner of that lovely voice was none other than Cang Yue, who was currently disguised as Lan Xuorue.

"Junior Sister Retsu, you've finally arrived," Cang Yue greeted Retsu warmly, her gaze softening when she looked at Yun Che.

"And you too, Junior Brother Yun," she added with a shy smile, her fingers twiddling nervously behind her back. He gave a grin and the girl just averted her eyes.

"Sister Xuorue, you're here as well? Are you participating in the banquet?" Yun Che asked casually, unaware of the underlying emotions in her actions.

"Hnnn, the principal Qin Wuyou asked me to join as well. Since the battle is among Nascent Profound Realm warriors. I can join as long as my opponent isn't too strong." She said happily.

Cang Yue's eyes widened as she shifted her gaze toward Xia Yuanba, astonishment coloring her face. "Wait, Junior Brother Xia... you..."

"Hehe, I recently had a breakthrough. It's not a big deal. Brother in La... I mean, boss, helped me a lot," Xia Yuanba almost let slip "brother-in-law," a term Yun Che had warned him not to use in public. However, old habits die hard.

Cang Yue was left momentarily speechless. Xia Yuanba had advanced from the third level to the eighth level in just three weeks. This was an unprecedented rate of cultivation growth that she had never encountered before.

Yun Che swiftly changed the topic, dissolving the awkward atmosphere. He pulled Cang Yue along with them as they entered the palace.

Inside, they spotted Elder Sikong Han and Elder Ya Yii waving at them. As the new elite members of the palace, they had arranged a special seating area for Yun Che and Retsu in front of the supreme elders. It wasn't a grand position, but it provided a clear view of the upcoming battles, unlike the seats in the back.

"Yun Che and Retsu, you two are now considered the elite members of the palace. However, I doubt the other palaces or clans have heard rumors about you," Elder Sikong Han advised. "Stay calm and observe for now."

Elder Ya Yii added, "Furthermore, the headmaster has informed us of your plans, but only the two of us know. If you wish to back down, now is the time. Otherwise, make sure you know what you're getting into."

Yun Che responded confidently, "Don't worry, Supreme Elders. After this, we'll be the most memorable figures in the palace." Retsu nodded in agreement as they left the elders to join Principal Qin Wuyou.

"Plans?" Cang Yue whispered, her curiosity piqued as she had no knowledge of these undisclosed plans. She didn't want to pry, but her inquisitiveness slowly overcame her.

Yun Che glanced at Retsu and Xia Yuanba before nodding. He activated a smaller version of Bakudō #77, Tenteikūra (Way of Bindings #77) Heavenly Charged Sky Net, a skill he had purchased from the system. He had learned it with the idea that he might need it to relay messages discreetly without using any devices. Retsu automatically acquired this skill when Yun Che learned it, thanks to the system's capabilities. Yun Che had spent some time practicing this skill until he figured out how to use it for small-scale, one-on-one communication. However, this skill could only be used to communicate if the other person had a similar skill. Currently, only Yun Che and Retsu could communicate with each other using this technique. Others could only receive messages through it.

Yun Che drew a small square with his spiritual force on his palm and then gently tapped his index finger on Cang Yue's forehead. This action surprised her and caused her cheeks to flush as Yun Che touched her directly. In reality, this was Yun Che's way of sharing a bit of Cang Yue's consciousness to create a connection. It was, in essence, his way of obtaining her "phone number."

"Junior Brother Yun, what are you..." Cang Yue began to ask, but she suddenly heard a voice.

"Can you hear me?"

Confused, Cang Yue looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice. The voice was clear, but she couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

"It's me, Yun Che. I'm speaking to you from inside your mind."

Cang Yue was utterly baffled. She had never encountered a technique that allowed someone to communicate through her consciousness. Typically, communication techniques were used to transmit sound directly to one's ears, but this was something entirely different.

"How is this possible?" Cang Yue couldn't find words to express her astonishment.

"It doesn't matter," Yun Che's voice continued in her mind. "Cang Yue, please remain silent and listen to me. Originally, we didn't want to involve you in our plans. However, since you are a precious friend to us, we decided to let you in on it."

Cang Yue felt a mixture of emotions. She was blushing with happiness to be included, yet there was a hint of disappointment, as it seemed that Yun Che saw her merely as a friend.

"Currently, only Retsu, Yuanba, and Principal Qin Wuyou know about this plan. Since they are aware of it, it means we trust them," Yun Che explained.

"Our plan is to weaken the power of the seven great sects of New Moon City, as well as crippling the Xiao Clan and the Burning Heaven Clan," Yun Che continued, sharing the intricate details of their scheme.

Cang Yue was about to express her shock when Retsu placed her index finger on Cang Yue's lips, silencing her. Clearly, Retsu had been eavesdropping on the conversation, and she didn't want to risk any leaks of sensitive information. Xia Yuanba remained silent, carefully observing their surroundings.

"Well, since you can't reply, just listen to this," Yun Che began to recount recent events from this afternoon.

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Five hours ago:

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Qin Wuyou was standing on the veranda of his office, overlooking the palace. Today, all the Supreme Elders were busy overseeing the training of the elites who would participate in the banquet, leaving him alone at the administrator tower.

Swosh

A movement caught his attention, and he saw Yun Che sitting on one of the chairs on the veranda.

"Palace Master Qin Wuyou," Yun Che greeted with a respectful nod.

Qin Wuyou offered a slight smile and remarked, "Yun Che, to climb this tower without difficulty, your strength must not be ordinary."

Yun Che returned the compliment with a polite bow. "Palace Master, your kind words honour me. I am indeed here for a purpose."

Qin Wuyou nodded, expecting Yun Che to explain his visit. Yun Che got straight to the point. "The primary reason for my visit today is the banquet. However, earlier this week while on a hunting excursion, I stumbled upon something unusual in the northern mountains. I discovered several elders from various sects gathering in a cave, and engaged in a secretive meeting. Intrigued, I decided to eavesdrop, and what I heard deeply troubled me."

As Yun Che spoke, he cast a Kido barrier around them, ensuring their privacy.

Qin Wuyou listened intently, his curiosity piqued. Yun Che's revelation shocked Qin Wuyou to his core. "I have a plan, and I don't require your direct involvement. I only ask for two promises."

Qin Wuyou, now determined to act, replied, "I will do anything within my power to assist you. Name your requests."

Yun Che stood up, his voice unwavering. "First, accept my brother-in-law as your disciple. He is a remarkable genius, and his talents should not go to waste."

He paused for a moment before adding his second request, which held profound implications. "And second, if our plan succeeds, disavow us."

This last request hung heavy in the air, signalling the gravity of the situation.