Chapter 1389: The Flag on the Ramparts Changes Hands
Above the Second Heavenly Court, the Dao Ancestor and the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha each rose to their feet. Hao Tianzun, Qiang Tianfei, and the others, however, remained seated, motionless. Only Hong Tianzun frowned slightly, glancing at the Kai Emperor, then at Qin Mu.
At the main seat, Qin Mu sat perfectly composed, sneering coldly: "Qin Ye, back then you went by the alias Qin Kai and traveled with me through the Longhan Era. You and I were both favored by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, enshrined as Heavenly Venerables, and together with the Seven Heavenly Venerables who pioneered the seven realms of the Divine Treasury, we were known as the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Longhan. At the Yaochi Grand Assembly, I awaited the Imperial Heavenly Venerable's transmission of the Godhood Method, beat the Fire Heavenly Venerable soundly, and blasted the Hao Heavenly Venerable apart. I established the Dao through divine abilities, founded the Heavenly Alliance, and set the grand plan for post-heaven beings and demigods to triumph over the primordial ancient gods!"
He rose to his feet, flicking his sleeve—the fabric striking the air with a thunderous roar like crashing waves—and said coldly: "I was honored as the Alliance Master of the Heavenly Alliance, a title I rightfully earned. What virtue or ability do you possess to stand alongside me? Where is your cultivation? Where is your virtue? Without morality or conduct, how dare you stand beside me and be called a Heavenly Venerable? You are nothing but a counterfeit Heavenly Venerable, elevated to this rank only because you happened to fight me to a standstill—a stroke of luck that earned you the title of Qin Heavenly Venerable!"
At his words, several of the Heavenly Venerables present could no longer sit still.
Qin Mu was openly cursing the Kai Emperor Qin Ye, but in truth, he was cursing them all.
Qin Mu had transmitted the Godhood Method, allowing mortal commoners to attain longevity, to possess lifespans as eternal as heaven and earth, just like the ancient gods.
In that era when the path of divine abilities was still in its infancy, he established the Dao through divine abilities, using insights a million years ahead of his time to show the world the power and dazzling variety of divine abilities—to show people that the weak could master divine abilities and triumph over beings who towered above them.
He had also founded the Heavenly Alliance, laying the foundation for the world's structure for the next million years.
He was called the Mu Heavenly Venerable, a title rightfully earned.
Yet compared to him, the current Ten Heavenly Venerables all seemed lackluster. Especially the seven—the Void Heavenly Venerable, the Ancestral God King, Langxuan, Gong, Qiang, Hong, and Yan—none of them had a single achievement worth mentioning.
In terms of contribution, only the Hao Heavenly Venerable could stand alongside Qin Mu. However, the Heavenly Alliance was not founded by the Hao Heavenly Venerable; he had only seized control of the Alliance's power after Qin Mu's absence to become its leader.
Yet even the Hao Heavenly Venerable and the Fire Heavenly Venerable appeared quite embarrassed at this moment—they had indeed both been beaten by Qin Mu, especially the Hao Heavenly Venerable, who had lain on a sickbed for a thousand years.
As for the Kai Emperor Qin Ye, he too was put in an awkward position by Qin Mu's words.
In the early Longhan Era, he had been enshrined as a Heavenly Venerable alongside Qin Mu, and indeed there was considerable water in that title—there was a suspicion that the Heavenly Emperor had conferred the title of Qin Heavenly Venerable on him merely to please Qin Mu.
One could say he had sneaked his way into the ranks of the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Longhan.
"Mu Heavenly Venerable, I am also one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance."
The Kai Emperor stopped in his tracks, sneering coldly: "Setting everything else aside, merely being one of the Five Founding Elders is enough to warrant a seat among the Heavenly Venerables. But I am more than that. I pioneered the Dao Realm, compensating for the deficiencies of the Heavenly Palace realm—establishing the Dao from the post-heaven path! The Dao Realm I created, combined with the Heavenly Palace realm, allows the Thirty-Six Heavens of the Great Dao to be branded upon the Ultimate Void—as long as the universe does not perish, I do not perish!"
His palm pressed against his sword hilt, and he abruptly drew his blade—sword light filling the heavens.
Whoosh—
The radiance of the Wuyou Sword flooded the Heavenly Court. Before the Southern Heavenly Gate, thirty-five heavens materialized, from the Taihuang Pingtian Sword, the Taiming Qitian Sword, to the Shangqing Realm Sword Domain, and then to the Yuqing Realm Sword Domain—laid bare for all the sacred beings present to behold!
Thirty-five heavens of sword domain—pure sword Dao alone—manifesting might no less than thirty-five Heavenly Palaces. The sword Dao's aura grew increasingly intense from bottom to top, and by the Yuqing Realm Sword Domain, the sword Dao had nearly become corporeal, filling every practitioner of sword arts, sword techniques, and sword Dao with a feeling of reverence and worship for a peak beyond reach!
As the thirty-five heavens of Dao Realm emerged, the divine weapons of all those present could not help but ring out with a clattering sound, emanating waves of divine might—as if these divine weapons trembled, shivered, and bowed in worship before the sword domain at the pinnacle of the sword Dao!
This was an omen that even the Ten Heavenly Venerables had never possessed!
Behind the Kai Emperor, the thirty-five heavens of Dao Realm grew ever brighter, ever more awe-inspiring. His words were like swords, pointing at the Dao hearts—pointing at the Dao heart of every sacred being present!
Even the Heavenly Venerables could feel a sharp sword aimed directly at the weaknesses within their Dao hearts!
The Kai Emperor said calmly: "The Dao Realm I pioneered is different from that of the so-called Ten Heavenly Venerables. My Dao Realm is not merely the creation of a new cultivation method to compensate for the deficiencies of the Heavenly Palace cultivation system—it is also a path of post-heaven triumphing over pre-heaven!"
"Shameless boasting!"
The nine Heavenly Venerables each frowned, but before they could speak, Qin Mu was already slapping the armrest of his throne, shouting sternly: "Qin Heavenly Venerable, you are far too shameless! How dare you claim to have compensated for the deficiencies of the Heavenly Palace cultivation system? You are merely blowing your own trumpet, plastering gold on your own face! As for post-heaven triumphing over pre-heaven, that is even more absurd—utterly contemptible!"
The Kai Emperor burst into laughter, pointing his sword at Qin Mu, his words shaking hearts and stirring souls: "Mu Heavenly Venerable, the people of this world cultivate only pre-heaven methods, not post-heaven divine abilities or post-heaven great Dao. They simply have not seen the principle of post-heaven triumphing over pre-heaven! Once my sword Dao is complete, I can brand it upon the Great Luo Heaven, the Ultimate Void—as long as the universe does not perish, I do not perish! With this Dao alone, can I be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables?"
Qin Mu was about to speak, but the Kai Emperor cut him off, continuing: "I pioneered the Dao Realm method and taught the world the cultivation techniques of the Dao Realm—can I be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables? Pre-heaven great Daos are limited in number, controlled by the ancient gods. Post-heaven great Daos are endless and infinite. I have taught the world the method of post-heaven triumphing over pre-heaven—can I be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables? Mu Heavenly Venerable, you callow child, you say I am unworthy of being a Heavenly Venerable? My achievements, my merits, my Dao, my virtue—can they rank me among the Heavenly Venerables? Can they make me one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance?"
Qin Mu's expression shifted, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He hastily rose from his seat, his demeanor filled with deference and fear, praising: "I did not know that Qin Heavenly Venerable possessed such Dao, virtue, merit, and achievement. I thought you were merely seeking fame and reputation, and so I slighted you. My own achievements and virtue may be great, but compared to you, I am still a notch below. You are worthy of being one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, one of the Alliance Masters. I am convinced and submit wholeheartedly. Please, take the seat of honor—I shall sit below you."
Everyone present had not yet processed the turn of events, their expressions frozen in stupor.
Moments ago, the two had been fierce and hostile—Qin Mu furiously rebuking the Qin Heavenly Venerable, appearing ready to tear him apart and cast him into an abyss of eternal damnation. But in the blink of an eye, he was convinced and prostrate with admiration.
The shift in attitude was truly dizzying.
The Kai Emperor walked forward, sword in hand, smiling: "Mu Heavenly Venerable has a broad heart, establishing the Dao through divine abilities, founding the Heavenly Alliance, embracing the world in his concerns. He is a sage king of transmission, an upright gentleman, whose achievements are no less than mine. Though I have merit and virtue, the Heavenly Alliance was ultimately founded by you. You becoming the Chief Alliance Master—I am convinced and submit wholeheartedly. I can only take the second seat."
Qin Mu hurriedly exchanged pleasantries, inviting him to take the seat of honor. The Kai Emperor declined repeatedly, and the two deferred to each other with great enthusiasm at the top—leaving the sacred beings, great emperors, and heavenly masters of both the Second and First Heavenly Courts below staring in utter disbelief.
The nine Heavenly Venerables also frowned deeply, exchanging glances with one another.
The coordination between these two was absolutely flawless, as if they had rehearsed it countless times. The Kai Emperor Qin Ye had arrived with murderous intent, looking ready to cause a scene at the Heavenly Alliance meeting that would end only in mutual destruction.
Qin Mu's words were fierce, as if he intended to personally strike down the Kai Emperor, punish evil, and fight to the death.
Yet somehow, the conversation had devolved into mutual praise, and the Kai Emperor—this rebel—had transformed into a great sage with merits for all living beings and contributions to all the realms!
Moreover, the Kai Emperor had gone from rebel to one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance in an instant, his title of Heavenly Venerable now well-deserved, and he had climbed onto the seat of power in the Heavenly Alliance in the blink of an eye—all perfectly legitimate. Was this not utterly absurd and inconceivable?
Qin Mu could not decline, so he had no choice but to take the seat of honor, his face beaming with glory: "I shall reluctantly, shamelessly, take the seat of honor. How embarrassing, how embarrassing! Hahahaha—"
The Kai Emperor took his seat. The nine great Heavenly Venerables wore cold expressions, all looking over.
Qin Mu was radiant with joy, basking in his triumph, and said to the Kai Emperor with a smile: "I had many misunderstandings of you before, Dao Brother, but now that they are cleared away, I suddenly feel that the Qin Heavenly Venerable is a fine fellow. To sit at the same table with you—I am thrice blessed..."
The Kai Emperor was about to speak when the Hao Heavenly Venerable, expressionless, glanced at the Fire Heavenly Venerable. The Fire Heavenly Venerable understood and rose to his feet, saying: "Mu Heavenly Venerable, is this not improper?"
Qin Mu made an "oh" sound, leaning forward with his right elbow resting on his right knee, turning sideways with curiosity: "Fire Heavenly Venerable, what is improper?"
The Fire Heavenly Venerable said coldly: "The Kai Emperor Qin Ye, though bearing the title of Qin Heavenly Venerable, walks the path of defying heaven. He established the Kai Emperor's Heavenly Court, colluded with the Heavenly Duke, plotted to overthrow the Heavenly Court, and schemed to become the orthodox ruler of heaven and earth. Where does that leave His Majesty? Where does that leave the demigods? Where does that leave the Heavenly Venerables present?"
He stepped forward, saying coldly: "The Kai Emperor intends to restore the era of ancient god rule, to make the Heavenly Duke and the Earth Count the rulers of all races! The Heavenly Duke—a brutal tyrant—indulged the Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign in her atrocities, slaughtering the Heavenly Court's heavenly soldiers and generals and feudal lords—over a million lives! The Heavenly Duke has lost all conscience, his crimes unforgivable. The Kai Emperor, by allying with him, deserves death!"
Qin Mu broke into a smile. The Fire Heavenly Venerable's words were precisely the content of the proclamation to punish the Heavenly Duke. By having the Fire Heavenly Venerable say it, Qin Mu was spared the infamy of calling for the Heavenly Duke's execution.
The Fire Heavenly Venerable also knew this was improper, but the Kai Emperor had come to seize momentum, seize power, seize hearts. He could not afford not to sling mud at the Kai Emperor.
If he did not, then the Kai Emperor would steal the Heavenly Venerables' authority, steal the people's hearts, steal the tide of events, and infiltrate the Heavenly Alliance—creating countless variables and upheavals in the future.
The Ten Heavenly Venerables absolutely could not tolerate this!
The Hong Heavenly Venerable rose, his voice as resonant as a great bell, saying: "The Heavenly Duke's crimes warrant death. The Kai Emperor has cast aside the great righteousness of the world—his crimes warrant death. Moreover, the Kai Emperor has carved out territory in the Tai Xu, colluding with the prehistoric Creators. How brutal were the Creators? The Kai Emperor's crimes are immense, beyond any whitewashing!"
Qin Mu was visibly moved, rising to his feet and shouting sternly: "Qin Ye, you have committed such heinous crimes! I thought so highly of you, yet you have betrayed me, betrayed the people of the world! I am ashamed to stand alongside you! But then again, your achievements, merits, Dao, and virtue are all great—merits and faults can cancel each other out. As long as you bow your head and admit your mistakes, sever ties with the Heavenly Duke, it is not unforgivable..."
His voice was fierce and stern, but even as he spoke, a smile crept back onto his face. He said to the nine Heavenly Venerables: "Why not let this fellow Qin Ye toast everyone in apology, and we all laugh it off..."
"Hahahaha!"
The Ancestral God King suddenly rose, laughing uproariously, and shouted fiercely: "Mu Heavenly Venerable, the Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign didn't kill your people, so you can play the good Samaritan all you like—your skin doesn't itch, your flesh doesn't hurt! But mine itches and hurts! The Earth Mother killed my elite troops! The Earth Mother was indulged by the Heavenly Duke, and the Qin Heavenly Venerable is the Heavenly Duke's lapdog! You can tolerate him, but I cannot!"
Qin Mu wrung his hands repeatedly, stamping his feet: "What is to be done? What is to be done? Today is the Heavenly Alliance meeting—His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has decreed that we should all be harmonious and peaceful. How has it devolved into this? I am young and inexperienced, I cannot handle this matter. If only another venerable and respected Heavenly Alliance Alliance Master would descend to help me resolve this difficulty, that would be wonderful..."
"Mu Heavenly Venerable need not worry."
Suddenly, a crisp, refreshing female voice came through, saying leisurely: "The Moon Heavenly Venerable, one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance and one of the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Longhan, has come to share Mu Heavenly Venerable's burdens."
Qin Mu was overjoyed, so moved that he choked with sobs and tears. Through his tear-blurred vision, he saw a woman walking forward, stepping onto the Second Heavenly Court to arrive here.
As she moved, the sound of a zither rang out.
That zither sound was strange—it resonated with everyone's Heavenly Palaces and great Daos. The moment the zither sounded, everyone's Dao techniques and divine abilities also burst forth with various Dao tones and Dao rhythms.
Qin Mu hastily said: "Moon Heavenly Venerable, Moon Dao Friend, come up quickly, come resolve my current difficulty! The Ancestral God King, the Hong Heavenly Venerable, and the Fire Heavenly Venerable are about to come to blows with the Qin Heavenly Venerable!"
The Moon Heavenly Venerable smiled: "I am also one of the Five Founding Elders who established the Heavenly Alliance, humbly serving as one of its Alliance Masters. I also pioneered the Seven Stars realm. It's just that I have not appeared for a long time, so most of the people in the Heavenly Alliance probably no longer recognize me. Mu Heavenly Venerable occupies the main seat, so I can only, like the Qin Heavenly Venerable, take the second seat."
Qin Mu hastily invited her to sit, sobbing: "I heard that Dao Brother was wounded by villains and went into seclusion. I have been searching for you without success. Now Dao Brother has finally appeared! Dao Brother, have your injuries fully healed? Who possessed the wondrous hands and benevolent heart to cure you?"
—The Year of the Pig is approaching, and this pig's zodiac year is almost here! I cry out for monthly tickets, begging to be happily drowned in monthly tickets~~