Chapter 1033: The Death of the Southern Emperor
The Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot emerged from the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge. Qin Mu stood on the chariot and looked out—what met his eyes was a sea of flames stretching millions of miles, extraordinarily magnificent.
In the sky, one could see a sun hanging very close to the ground. Flames flew out from the sun, like spreading-winged Vermilion Birds, sweeping across the earth.
There were also bird-headed, human-bodied deities shuttling through the flames, spreading their broad wings as they soared, while long trails of fire continuously fell from the sky.
For humans, this place was absolutely as terrifying as hell. But for the divine races living in the Southern Pole Heaven, this place was extremely comfortable and pleasant.
Qin Mu furrowed his brow slightly, looking at those deities chasing the great sun's fire streams. Those deities were not of the Vermilion Bird divine race—they were the gods of the Heavenly Court.
And the flames falling from the sky, though originating from the sun, were not solar prominences. They were the power of the sun being borrowed by those deities through their divine abilities to attack something!
"Very similar to the divine abilities of the Great Sun Star Lord!"
Qin Mu's heart trembled slightly: "The Great Sun Star Lord Dan Fenglai is a disciple of Ancestral God King. Ancestral God King's divine artifact, the Imperial Heaven Supreme, should be in Xuan Du. The Great Sun Star Lord couldn't possibly have come here. Then whose army is this force that can command the power of the sun?"
The corners of his eyes twitched. Suddenly, the sky blazed bright, and another enormous sun descended from outer space to the skies above the Southern Pole Heaven. Huge palaces flew out from within the sun, like castles flowing with liquid gold!
The sound of drumming came thundering, and tens of thousands of deities stood before the palaces, pressing down toward the Southern Pole Heaven.
Those palaces were as large as divine cities. They flew to the skies above the Southern Pole Heaven, and the undersides of the divine palaces and halls were like enormous treasure seals. With a resonant hum, they vibrated, and beams of light shot downward from beneath the palaces!
Qin Mu saw the light fall like curtains, stamping toward the Southern Pole Heaven, pressing the continent of the Southern Pole Heaven into violent tremors. Tens of thousands of mountain ranges were suddenly uprooted, transforming into streaks of imprint marks!
The scene was indescribably magnificent, yet it filled one with great unease.
Not far from the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, there were also many bird-headed deities standing in orderly formation, guarding this bridge with strict defenses.
The Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot emerged from the bridge, immediately alerting those deities. A deity immediately came forward to inquire. Dragon Qilin stepped forward to meet him, saying, "Pastoral Heavenly Venerable has come to visit the Southern Emperor. Brother, what is going on in the Southern Pole Heaven?"
When that divine official heard the name of Pastoral Heavenly Venerable, he dared not be negligent. He quickly said, "Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, the Southern Emperor has rebelled. The Heavenly Court has sent troops to suppress the rebellion. At present, the various feudal lords are attacking the Southern Pole Heaven. We have been ordered to guard the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, lest the rebels of the Southern Pole Heaven escape into the transfer bridge."
Qin Mu's heart shook violently. He quickly stepped forward and shouted, "The Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird rebelled? When did this happen? Are you certain she rebelled?"
That divine official was startled, and with a plop, he knelt on the ground, trembling as he said, "The Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird led her army to attack, forcibly seizing the divine artifacts of the Heavenly Court, committing rebellion and causing chaos, showing contempt for the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court was enraged and sent troops to suppress her. Your servant is merely acting on orders..."
Yan'er immediately became flustered and was about to spread her wings and fly. Qin Mu's divine consciousness erupted, trapping her. He said gently, "Yan'er, the situation is unclear right now. Endure for a while, and let me investigate first."
He furrowed his brow. The Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird was absolutely not the kind of ancient god who liked to act recklessly like the Western Emperor White Tiger. On the contrary, from the few brief contacts Qin Mu had with the Southern Emperor, she understood when to advance and when to retreat, and she was extremely intelligent. Under unclear circumstances, she would never do something like this!
Yan'er had no choice but to endure. She transformed into a green sparrow and paced back and forth on his shoulder, whispering, "My mother, she..."
Qin Mu raised his hand, letting her stand on his finger, signaling her not to say more. He asked the divine official warmly, "The divine artifact suppressing the Southern Pole Heaven—whose divine artifact is it?"
"It is the divine artifact of Fire Heavenly Venerable."
That divine official said, "Fire Heavenly Venerable is stationed at the Southern Pole Heaven."
The corners of Qin Mu's eyes twitched, and his voice was hoarse as he asked, "Fire Heavenly Venerable?"
The divine official nodded.
Qin Mu steadied himself and said, "Fire Heavenly Venerable came in person?"
The divine official said respectfully, "Fire Heavenly Venerable descended in person, seized back the divine artifact, and engaged in a great battle with the Southern Emperor. They have already fought their way into the Southern Pole Forbidden Land. Besides Fire Heavenly Venerable's army, the Southern Heaven Red Emperor has also led troops to reinforce, and the Divine Martial Guards of the Heavenly Court have also rushed to suppress the rebellion. I have also heard that the Heavenly River Naval Forces are almost here."
The corners of Qin Mu's eyes twitched wildly. Fire Heavenly Venerable had come in person, and there were also two Divine Martial Guards—two hundred thousand divine demons—likely all powerful beings at the Jade Capital and Linh Tiêu realms. Add to that the Heavenly River Naval Forces—this time, Fire Heavenly Venerable intended to take the entire Southern Pole Heaven in one fell swoop!
Just as he was thinking, another sun was forcibly pulled to the skies above the Southern Pole Heaven. Powerful magnetic forces twisted space, and thousands of divine demons descended from the sky, flying to clash with the divine demon army of the Southern Pole Heaven and the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace!
"But why is the Southern Heaven Red Emperor Qi Xiayu also here?"
Qin Mu felt somewhat puzzled. The Red Emperor Qi Xiayu was a disciple secretly cultivated by Moon Heavenly Venerable. She was not only Moon Heavenly Venerable's disciple but also the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird's disciple—she was a spy that these two women had planted in the Heavenly Court.
The Red Emperor Qi Xiayu could never betray the Southern Emperor.
For her to personally lead the Southern Heaven's army to attack this place—there was something strange about this matter.
However, Fire Heavenly Venerable had always hated evil as much as he hated his enemies, and he was hostile toward ancient gods. If he came to kill the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird, he would absolutely not hold back!
"Dark Heavenly Venerable once said that Fire Heavenly Venerable is no longer the Fire Heavenly Venerable of the past. Has he truly changed?"
He felt somewhat uneasy. The Yan'er on his finger had almost broken his finger with her grip. Qin Mu endured the pain and continued to ask, "How many days has it been since Fire Heavenly Venerable went to suppress the rebellion?"
That divine official said, "It has already been four days."
Qin Mu's heart twitched violently several times. He said calmly, "The Southern Emperor has committed rebellion and caused chaos. I shall personally go to suppress the rebellion. Dragon Pi, let's go."
That divine official hesitated for a moment, then said, "Heavenly Venerable, the battlefield ahead is extremely dangerous. It would be better for the Heavenly Venerable to remain here."
Qin Mu smiled ambiguously and said, "Am I the Heavenly Venerable, or are you the Heavenly Venerable?"
That divine official was startled, and quickly waved his hand, ordering the heavenly soldiers and generals around him to clear a path.
Qin Mu returned to the chariot, and the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot sped toward the forbidden land of the Southern Pole Heaven. The forbidden land of the Southern Pole Heaven was the birthplace of the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird. If Fire Heavenly Venerable had fought his way in there, it likely meant that the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird was already in grave danger!
"She can't be this stupid. It's impossible..."
Qin Mu set down Yan'er. The little green sparrow hopped around anxiously in the chariot, constantly poking her head out the window to look.
Qin Mu had a thought, and the windows of the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot clanged as they, along with the four walls, sank into the body of the chariot, giving an unobstructed view of the outside.
The six celestial dragons also transformed into their complete forms. The dragons were a hundred miles long, and the treasure chariot grew larger and larger, radiant and resplendent, traveling through the heavens with tremendous momentum.
"Yan'er, don't worry."
Qin Mu consoled the restless little green sparrow, saying, "Your mother is no less cunning than I am. Since she rebelled, she must have her reasons. Besides, I am the Indestructible Great Mage of Ten Thousand Kalpas. Even if she dies, I can bring her back to life."
Yan'er stopped, transforming into the appearance of the little maidservant who attended to Moon Heavenly Venerable.
Qin Mu thought for a moment, then took out Moon Heavenly Venerable's lantern and placed it in her hands, saying, "This is what Moon Heavenly Venerable gave you. Carry it—it can protect you. We are entering the battlefield, and stray projectiles are inevitable. You protect the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot."
Yan'er suppressed her anxiety, carrying the lantern as she stood before the chariot shaft. The lantern's light spread like ripples, scattering in all directions, enveloping the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot.
Powerful divine abilities continuously flew in from the sky and the earth, but when they came near the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot and touched the lantern's light, they vanished, only to reappear thousands of miles away where their power erupted—quite astonishing.
Even the solar fire streams encountered along the way vanished upon touching the lantern's light.
Even the great palaces flying from the sun, upon touching the lantern's light, would appear thousands of miles away the next moment, unable to approach this chariot.
This lantern was a treasure that Moon Heavenly Venerable had given to Yan'er to pass on to Qin Mu, to protect himself in the Great Void. Qin Mu had never used it. Now, seeing the lantern's marvelous uses, he couldn't help but admire Moon Heavenly Venerable's vast divine powers.
The lantern protected the chariot as it continued forward, while Yan'er directed Dragon Qilin on the direction. Dragon Qilin controlled the reins, commanding the dragons to advance.
The six celestial dragons roared repeatedly, their roars stirring up thunder and summoning lightning, their speed growing faster and faster.
But the Southern Pole Heaven was extremely vast, and the Southern Pole Forbidden Land was very far away. Rushing there would likely take more than a day.
Just then, Qin Mu heard faint zither music coming from ahead. He quickly stood up and gazed into the distance.
He saw a Phoenix Ship sailing in from beyond the heavens. The enormous bow pierced through the atmosphere, and the Phoenix Ship spread its wings. Countless heavenly soldiers and generals of the Southern Heaven rode smaller tower ships sliding down from the Phoenix Ship. On those tower ships, countless feather swords flew out, like plowing the earth, carving forward along the mountains and rivers of the land!
Wherever the feather swords passed, mountains and rivers were shattered!
The corners of Qin Mu's eyes twitched wildly. The divine demons under the Southern Heaven Red Emperor's command were actually showing such ruthlessness toward the Southern Pole Heaven—this truly exceeded his expectations!
The Red Emperor Qi Xiayu was absolutely a genius at commanding troops. In the late era of the Previous Emperor, she personally led troops into battle and killed the then Southern Heaven Red Emperor of the Heavenly Court!
Her army's combat power was extremely formidable. If she personally came to campaign, there would likely be few survivors left in her wake!
"Dragon Fatty, approach the Phoenix Ship!"
Dragon Qilin heard this and quickly adjusted the chariot's course. The Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot drew closer and closer to the Phoenix Ship. The divine general guarding the Phoenix Ship was a woman, with a nine-phoenix primordial spirit manifesting behind her—extremely powerful. From afar, she called out, "May I ask if the one in the chariot is Pastoral Heavenly Venerable? Heavenly Venerable, please halt!"
Dragon Qilin quickly stopped the chariot.
Qin Mu sat in the chariot and said, "Is the Red Emperor on the ship?"
That female general bowed: "His Majesty the Red Emperor has already gone to the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace to suppress the rebellion. She is not on the ship."
Qin Mu waved his hand, and the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot continued forward. After a while, they finally saw the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace.
The Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace was the most ancient of heavenly palaces. At this moment, it had already been battered into a state of riddled ruin. Countless palace halls had collapsed, and enormous structures fell from the sky like great mountains, crashing toward the earth.
At this moment, a nine-headed phoenix with an incomparably vast physique was tearing open the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace with its wings. Its nine heads sprayed multicolored radiance in all directions, sweeping toward the divine demons of the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace.
And on one of the nine-headed phoenix's heads, Qi Xiayu stood barefoot, holding a long zither in her arms, her robes fluttering in the wind, her fingers dancing. The zither music came in sharp, rapid bursts—the melody was like the sharpest sword qi in the world, slashing downward, cutting down the strong warriors of the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace who came to kill her like falling flowers in a storm.
Around her, bodies fell like rain. There was no one who could match her even for a single exchange.
Around her, many divine maidens flew back and forth, shouting and commanding, unleashing their divine abilities to slay those who slipped through the net. Sometimes they transformed into human form to use their abilities, sometimes they transformed into phoenixes to soar on spread wings.
Among Đế Tọa-level powerhouses, the Red Emperor Qi Xiayu's combat power was absolutely not inferior to the Black Emperor, the King of the Underworld!
"Milord..." Yan'er turned back to look at Qin Mu, a pleading expression on her face.
Qin Mu gritted his teeth. He truly could not figure out what the Red Emperor Qi Xiayu intended to do.
"Red Emperor!"
Qin Mu's divine consciousness rippled, transforming into a thunderous voice that exploded through the air. The Red Emperor Qi Xiayu turned to look, then tapped her toe. One of the heads of the nine-headed phoenix beneath her feet shook, transforming into another Qi Xiayu, who flew to meet the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot. She bowed and said, "Your servant pays respects to Pastoral Heavenly Venerable."
Qin Mu's gaze was complicated. Qi Xiayu had only sent an avatar to pay her respects—her main body was still attacking the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace, showing no intention of showing mercy whatsoever.
"Red Emperor, heaven has the virtue of cherishing life. Where one can forgive, one should forgive. Why must you exterminate them to the last?" Qin Mu said gently.
Qi Xiayu gave him a deep look. Suddenly, her main body shook, transforming into eight phoenixes that spread their unmatched wings and flew over the skies of the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace. Flames blazed fiercely, melting this most ancient of heavenly palaces. Countless deities were buried beneath the sacred fire of the phoenixes!
The eight phoenixes gathered together, successively merging into an eight-headed colorful phoenix, which turned direction and flew toward the Celestial Dragon Treasure Chariot. With a whoosh, it vanished into the Qi Xiayu before Qin Mu. Behind Qi Xiayu, nine phoenixes spread their wings, filling the sky with fire!
The nine-phoenix primordial spirit folded its wings and slowly disappeared.
Yan'er glared at her with furious eyes, gnashing her teeth and saying, "When you were little, I was the one who raised you! And this is how you treat me!"
Qi Xiayu boarded the treasure chariot, stood before the carriage, and bowed, saying, "Heavenly Venerable, do you not understand why the Southern Emperor sent her daughter away the moment she was born? There are no longer any of her people left in this Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace. I am merely doing her a favor."
Qin Mu said, "Then where is the Southern Emperor?"
"In the forbidden land."
Qi Xiayu raised her hand, pointing into the distance. "If the Heavenly Venerable arrives in time, you might still be able to see her one last time."
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