Chapter 1768: The Ancestral Court Trap (Final Month, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
Beneath the World Tree, countless prehistoric powerhouses stood guard. After Elder Wuya's battle with Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, and Taiyi, he had suffered severe injuries and was forced to return to the World Tree's main body to recuperate. He had thus summoned these prehistoric powerhouses who had secretly crossed over to protect his safety.
The World Tree had once stood tall and majestic, but after that battle, nearly all its branches and leaves had withered away. This sacred tree no longer displayed its former grandeur, appearing rather pitiful and desolate.
Qin Mu's folding of the Ancestral Court had also alarmed this place, causing the powerhouses beneath the World Tree to grow uneasy and uncertain.
Suddenly, Elder Wuya's visage emerged from the tree trunk, his voice rumbling like thunder: "Seventh Young Master Qin Mu harbors sinister intentions. He folds the Ancestral Court, intending to seal it and trap us in a desperate situation, forcing us into war with the Miluo Palace. Though I do not fear the Miluo Palace, if we were to go to war with them, the casualties would be devastating. I shall split off a branch. Huangtang, you find some capable fighters and take this branch of mine to fly out of the Ancestral Court. Choose a place with excellent feng shui and plant it there."
The World Tree trembled, and a branch detached itself, flying into the hands of Huangtang among the Fengshu Three Elders.
Huangtang accepted the branch and intended to bring the other two elders with him, but Elder Wuya said, "Lishu and Yanxiuge must remain here to guard this place. Remember, leave the Ancestral Court immediately and find a blessed land to plant the branch. Once that is done, I will be able to sense the branch, our roots will connect, and Seventh Young Master will not be able to suppress us."
Huangtang had no choice but to seek out other capable fighters. Fortunately, there were plenty of Heavenly Venerable-level existences beneath the World Tree, and he soon found over a dozen top-tier experts.
The group immediately departed from the World Tree, flying toward the heavens beyond.
Meanwhile, Palace Master Hehuan entered the Jade Capital City and went to the Chaos Long River to meet with Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master, reporting on the battle situation in the Ancestral Court. She said, "Kaicheng Qin Ye, guided by Seventh Young Master, has trapped us within the Jade Capital City. Seventh Young Master is sealing the Ancestral Court, about to turn it into a prison cage, preventing us from leaving."
Third Young Master Lingxiao laughed and said, "So what? Not to mention he might not even be able to seal it—even if he could, there's still the Ultimate Void. Once you reach the Ancestral Court, you can entrust yourselves to the void and recover your peak strength. All his efforts will come to nothing!"
Palace Master Hehuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Kaicheng Qin Ye said that Seventh Young Master can seal the Ultimate Void as well."
Third Young Master Lingxiao frowned, pacing back and forth as he pondered methods to seal the Ultimate Void.
"Perhaps there is one way—using the Guixu Great Abyss."
Third Young Master Lingxiao's eyes lit up with inspiration, and he stopped in his tracks. "If he uses the Guixu Great Abyss to block the space above the Ancestral Court, then not only the Ultimate Void, but all other voids would cease to exist. This should be the method he's using."
He furrowed his brow slightly.
Although he had figured out the method Qin Mu might employ, he had no confidence whatsoever in how to counter it.
At the end of the Sixteenth Era, not only had the matter of Shangjun slaughtering in all directions occurred, but another incredibly terrifying event had also taken place—the massacre perpetrated by Second Young Master Wuji!
Second Young Master Wuji had suddenly gone mad at the end of the Sixteenth Era, attacking all who had achieved the Dao, even killing many of the Miluo Palace's Dao-achievers!
Because it was a chaotic time back then, many people didn't know it was Second Young Master Wuji of the Miluo Palace who had done it, so the blame was shifted onto Shangjun, forcing him to bear the infamy.
For a time, even Dao-achievers paled at the mere mention of Shangjun.
Only the Master of the Miluo Palace had noticed Second Young Master Wuji's transformation and personally suppressed her within the Guixu.
This matter only gradually came to light later, but those who knew of it were only the few young masters of the Miluo Palace. Many palace masters were unaware, and those outside the Miluo Palace could never have known the truth of this matter.
Lingxiao was one of those in the know. He had even once suspected that the reason the Master of the Miluo Palace had become listless and his Dao heart had died was related to Second Young Master Wuji's actions.
"If Old Seventh moves the Guixu over to block the Ancestral Court's Ultimate Void, then even if the Miluo Palace's Dao-achievers enter the Seventeenth Era, they won't be able to enter the Ultimate Void. And if they do enter there, they'll be devoured by Wuji."
His brows knitted tightly—this was indeed a vicious move!
Even he didn't dare provoke Wuji. Who knew what that madwoman might do?
"I have injuries on me and am not suited to descend. Moreover, the Ancestral Court doesn't have enough massive energy to support my descent."
Suddenly, his brow relaxed, and he said, "Hehuan, leave the Ancestral Court before the seal is complete, go to the outside world, and set up a blood sacrifice altar. If Old Seventh wants to seal the Ancestral Court, then let him seal it. We'll choose a different battlefield."
Palace Master Hehuan acknowledged the order and was about to leave when Lingxiao thought for a moment and called her back. "Kaicheng Qin Ye managed to survive, which should have been because he made his move during the Youdu battle. How shameless of him—interfering in the battles of the younger generation! Since he shows no mercy, don't blame me for being ruthless! I'll give you two divine abilities, and I'll have Fourth Young Master give you one of his zither strings. When you leave, carry these three divine abilities with you and kill without exception!"
Palace Master Hehuan's heart trembled with awe as she lowered her head in acknowledgment.
Third Young Master called her to his side, planted the divine abilities within her, then suddenly his expression turned serious. He lowered his voice and asked, "If you don't have time to leave the Ancestral Court and set up the blood sacrifice, do you know what to do?"
Palace Master Hehuan lowered her head and said, "Please enlighten me, Young Master."
A cruel smile appeared on Third Young Master Lingxiao's face. "Have Daoist Hao take Fourth Young Master's zither string and go to the World Tree. Wipe out Wuya's followers. With that blood sacrifice energy, Fourth Young Master and I will be able to descend!"
Palace Master Hehuan shuddered, the terrifying image of Fourth Young Master's zither string sweeping across the area beneath the World Tree flashing through her mind. Even though she had experienced countless battles, she couldn't help but feel deep fear.
Third Young Master Lingxiao waved his hand. "If it comes to that, we'll be in an irreconcilable conflict with Elder Wuya. But if things reach that point, we'll have no choice. Go quickly to see Fourth Young Master and obtain the zither string. As long as you can leave the Ancestral Court, we won't have to go that far."
Palace Master Hehuan acknowledged and hurried off to see Fourth Young Master Zixiao.
Before long, she returned to the Jade Capital City to meet with Palace Master Fenghuang and Heavenly Venerable Hao. She saw that Heavenly Venerable Hao's entrustment to the void was nearly complete—within the Great Luotian, the Dao tree formed through the power of strength was beginning to take shape.
"Having one more Dao-achiever combatant is also a good thing."
Palace Master Hehuan relayed Third Young Master's plan to the two of them. "There's no time to lose—let's move quickly."
Heavenly Venerable Hao was silent for a moment, then said, "Earlier, the two of you working together could have easily slain Qin Ye and the group of rebels. Now that we've given them time to prepare, killing them will be much harder."
Palace Master Fenghuang laughed. "Giving them time to prepare also gives us time to prepare. In the past few days, Palace Master Zengcheng has descended, along with several other Dao-achievers. Our strength has grown greatly—victory is within our grasp."
Heavenly Venerable Hao's heart stirred slightly as he looked toward the Jade Capital City. He saw that among the forest of Dao trees, several had suddenly turned lush and vibrant, clearly because the deaths of Palace Master Zhaoyang and the other Dao-achievers had given the Miluo Palace enough energy to support the descent of another palace master-level existence and several more Dao-achievers!
Heavenly Venerable Hao breathed a sigh of relief. "This approach is indeed more reliable than what I had in mind. In that case, let's quickly invite Palace Master Zengcheng and those Daoist friends to come—we'll set out together to leave the Ancestral Court!"
He felt a vague sense of unease and didn't want to remain in the Ancestral Court.
He knew Qin Mu all too well and understood how terrifying Qin Mu could be. If he were trapped in the Ancestral Court by Qin Mu, he would definitely die a miserable death!
Palace Master Hehuan said, "Daoist Hao, they are escorting me out of the Ancestral Court this time. You have a different task."
Heavenly Venerable Hao's heart jolted, and he felt somewhat reluctant.
Palace Master Hehuan carefully drew out an invisible string, guiding it up to his Great Luotian and tying it to his Dao tree that was still forming. "This string is Fourth Young Master's zither string. Daoist Hao should be familiar with it and know its power. I'm giving this string to you. You will lead the zither string to the World Tree, drag it across the tree, and tie it to the northernmost mountain peak."
Cold sweat broke out on Heavenly Venerable Hao's forehead. He immediately felt a thread connecting to the past, tied to his Dao tree.
His voice hoarse, Heavenly Venerable Hao said, "If Elder Wuya discovers me, wouldn't I die without a burial place?"
"Don't worry. Elder Wuya's injuries are extremely severe—no better than Taiyi's."
Palace Master Hehuan said calmly, "I have met with Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master. Though they are also injured, their wounds are much lighter. If Elder Wuya discovers you, Fourth Young Master can certainly protect your life!"
Heavenly Venerable Hao was about to speak further when Palace Master Hehuan reminded him, seemingly casually: "Daoist Hao, you are now tied to the zither string. The power of this string—you know better than anyone."
Heavenly Venerable Hao's heart trembled with fear, and he dared not say more. "I'll go then."
Palace Master Hehuan's spirits lifted, her eyes gleaming with sharp light. "In that case, we'll split into two groups. We'll first charge out of the Jade Capital to draw away Qin Ye and the others, and Daoist Hao will immediately head to the World Tree!"
Palace Master Zengcheng and several Miluo Palace Dao-achievers approached. Palace Master Hehuan and Palace Master Fenghuang immediately shot into the sky, charging out of the Jade Capital City and heading straight for the heavens beyond.
Palace Master Zengcheng stood motionless in the city. Suddenly, the Zengcheng Treasure Palace flew over, growing smaller and smaller until it landed in his hand.
This palace master's eyes blazed with light as he held the Zengcheng Palace and looked up.
Whoosh—
A golden ship broke through the air, charging straight toward the two palace masters, Hehuan and Fenghuang. At that moment, Palace Master Zengcheng activated the treasure palace. The palace radiated dazzling brilliance and spun with a howl as it hurtled toward the golden ship!
At the same time, this palace master and the five Dao-achievers rose into the air, shooting toward the Ferry World Golden Ship!
Seeing this, Heavenly Venerable Hao immediately left the Jade Capital City and rushed toward the World Tree.
As he flew in the direction of the World Tree, he happened to glance up and saw that the four heavenly walls of the Ancestral Court had fully formed, their tops towering beyond the heavens.
And beyond the heavens, there was only darkness—no stars could be seen.
Heavenly Venerable Hao's eyelids suddenly twitched violently, and his body couldn't help but tremble. He nearly fell from the sky.
That wasn't a dark starry sky—it was the Guixu!
The Guixu Great Abyss had already been moved here by Qin Mu, hanging like a massive black hole, eerily suspended above the Ancestral Court.
Yet strangely, the Guixu Great Abyss emitted no fluctuations whatsoever.
The fear on Heavenly Venerable Hao's face grew increasingly difficult to conceal. Terror was written all over his features—that was a trap, a trap waiting for Palace Master Hehuan and the others to walk right into!
The moment they charged out beyond the heavens would be the moment they fell into the Guixu!
And the reason the Guixu emitted no fluctuations was because there was someone who cultivated the Dao of Guixu and had already achieved the Dao, blocking the entrance to the Guixu Great Abyss!
Heavenly Venerable Hao knew who that person was!
Beyond the heavens, at the entrance of the Guixu Great Abyss, Qin Mu sat within a lotus flower. Darkness completely enveloped him, and he in turn enveloped the entire abyss, coldly watching the streaks of astonishing Dao light drawing closer from below.
————The conclusion month of The Annals of the Shepherd God. The book will be completed this month, brothers and sisters, please vote monthly tickets!! Please subscribe!!