Chapter 1021: Nine Farewells for the Heretic Lord
Long Qilin and Yan'er cautiously emerged from behind him, staring at the countless experts of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace in the sky, their hearts pounding wildly.
"Long Fatty, can this be salvaged?"
In her nervousness, Yan'er involuntarily transformed into a small blue sparrow and landed on Long Qilin's large head, scratching his scalp with her claws as she whispered, "It seems the young master beat the Eastern Emperor's reincarnated body too badly..."
Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed from afar. One of the palaces that the Eastern Emperor's reincarnated body had smashed through could no longer bear the strain and collapsed, wobbling to the ground.
The fall of this palace was not the end; other palaces followed suit, crashing down one after another, jolting the dragon clan experts in the sky out of their shock.
Yan'er grew even more nervous, her scratching making Long Qilin's head itchier and itchier.
Long Qilin steadied himself and whispered, "Whether this can be salvaged is hard to say. But this time, the Sect Leader came to the Eastern Extreme Heaven to visit the Eastern Emperor, and the Eastern Emperor tried to use the Sect Leader's reputation to establish his own authority. The Sect Leader was merely retaliating."
Yan'er didn't understand.
However, Long Qilin saw through it clearly.
This time, the Eastern Emperor clearly intended to suppress the Heretic Lord's reputation. That was why he made such a grand show, alarming most of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace's dragon clan.
If it were merely a test of Qin Mu's potential, there would be no need to summon all the civil and military officials of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace, nor to alert so many people. Clearly, the Eastern Emperor harbored other intentions.
The Eastern Emperor wanted to use Qin Mu's title as Heretic Lord to bolster his own prestige, which was understandable.
In recent years, the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace had been in turmoil. The days of the ancient gods grew worse and worse, while the reputation of the Ten Celestial Venerables of the Heavenly Court grew louder. Sometimes, the Ten Celestial Venerables didn't even bother to borrow the nominal authority of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor; they simply issued orders in their own names.
Those who dared to disobey would have their families exterminated and their homes razed, all at the whim of the Celestial Venerables.
The crisis of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace was also evident to the people of the Eastern Extreme Heaven. Under pressure from the Ten Celestial Venerables above, and threatened by the Eastern Heavenly Azure Emperor below, the situation was dire. Now, the Divine Artifact Imperial Celestial Venerable had descended from the Heavenly Court, carrying six divine cities on his palm, deploying millions of divine demons!
Moreover, the Divine Artifact Imperial Celestial Venerable formed a hand seal, pointing directly at the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace, arrogant beyond measure, crushing the confidence of the Eastern Extreme Heaven's dragon clan.
As one of the Four Imperial Ancient Gods, the Eastern Emperor indeed needed an opportunity to boost morale and confidence.
Suppressing Qin Mu would serve two purposes: first, it would make Qin Mu understand his subordinate position in their alliance—without the support of the ancient gods, he was nothing!
In the alliance, the ancient gods were the masters, holding the dominant position, while Qin Mu was the follower, acting only according to their commands.
Second, although the Heretic Lord's reputation wasn't as great as that of the current Ten Celestial Venerables, he was still the highest-ranking elder of the Heavenly Alliance on the surface. Making Qin Mu suffer a loss in his hands would still help establish the image of the ancient gods' invincibility in the hearts of his subjects.
When Qin Mu arrived at the Eastern Extreme Heaven, the Eastern Emperor set up two trials with this intention in mind.
"But what he didn't expect was that the Heretic Lord is also a Celestial Venerable."
Long Qilin shook his head. The Eastern Emperor had miscalculated from the start, thinking he could control Qin Mu and take advantage of him. However, as an ancient god who had always been above others, he failed to see that times had changed. The ancient gods were no longer the most powerful beings in the world.
And Qin Mu, as one of the Three Heroes of the Yan Kang Reformation, aimed not to surpass the ancient gods, but to ensure that both ancient and new gods served humanity.
Qin Mu's goals were naturally at odds with those of the ancient gods, even opposing them to some extent. How could Qin Mu willingly submit to the Eastern Emperor's control?
Furthermore, although the Heretic Lord Qin Mu had some shortcomings in the past, those had diminished over the years. The Yan Kang Calamity was a great trial, greatly enhancing both his cultivation foundation and his wisdom and cunning.
After his journey to the Tai Xu, although Qin Mu couldn't claim to be invincible among Celestial Venerables of the same realm, defeating the reincarnated body of an ancient god was well within his ability.
Suddenly, another thunderous crash rang out as a huge dragon-shaped archway collapsed.
Yan'er had just started to relax, but the sound made her claws tighten, ripping off a scale from Long Qilin's head.
Long Qilin felt the pain but endured it without saying a word.
In the sky, many dragons of all sizes seemed to be jolted awake by the sound of the archway's collapse. They came to their senses, none of them having expected this outcome. Even the Eastern Emperor himself probably hadn't anticipated it.
Their gazes turned to Qin Mu. He stood on Dragon Island, having already retracted his sword pellet. As the saying goes, "When a thousand fingers point, one dies without illness." Under the scrutiny of so many dragon clan experts, Qin Mu remained composed.
"Big brother, what should we do?" The civil and military officials of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace asked the Primordial Dragon Crown Prince.
The Primordial Dragon Crown Prince was also at a loss. Although he was a being at the Imperial Throne realm, capable of standing on his own, in the Eastern Extreme Heaven, he was like the archway that had just collapsed—looking impressive but ultimately useless.
The true master of the Eastern Extreme Heaven was still his father, the Eastern Emperor. The crown prince held little real power.
The Eastern Emperor had lived long and had a strong desire for control. As his eldest son, the Primordial Dragon Crown Prince had only managed to reach the Imperial Throne realm by descending to the mortal world during the chaotic era of the Sovereign Emperor's reign, escaping his father's shadow. Only then could he cultivate to the Imperial Throne realm.
However, after the Sovereign Emperor's era ended and he returned to the Eastern Extreme Heaven, he fell back under the Eastern Emperor's shadow.
Under his father's shadow, he could not make decisions.
Just then, an ancient and vast aura rose from the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace, growing stronger and stronger. The Eastern Emperor's massive body coiled around the palace, circle after circle. His green scales reflected the sunlight like mirrors, clearly reflecting the surrounding palaces.
The Eastern Emperor's dragon head hovered above the Lingxiao Hall, slowly descending. His dragon whiskers danced in the air, reaching down to the Dragon Island on the Jade Pool. The whiskers struck the water, stirring up great waves.
Qin Mu looked up at the ancient god's dragon head and smiled. "Eastern Emperor, have I passed this test?"
The Eastern Emperor narrowed his huge dragon eyes, staring at him for a moment before chuckling. "You have passed. The Heretic Lord has great potential and will not be inferior to the Ten Celestial Venerables in the future."
Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad I didn't disappoint Your Majesty. As for the Spirit Treasure Mountain..."
The dragon's mouth opened and closed as the Eastern Emperor laughed. "I promised it to you, so I will give it to you. But the Spirit Treasure Mountain is very heavy. I wonder if you can lift it."
Qin Mu beamed. "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will find a way to take it! My purpose in coming to the Eastern Extreme Heaven was to meet with Your Majesty, to strengthen our bond and prevent any estrangement. Now that I've been here for nearly a month, I shouldn't impose on you any longer."
The Eastern Emperor earnestly tried to persuade him to stay. "Heretic Lord, won't you stay a few more days?"
"No, no."
After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Mu ordered Long Qilin and Yan'er to pack their belongings. The Eastern Emperor flew to the Spirit Treasure Mountain and forcefully pulled up one of its peaks, leaving the divine demons in the Heavenly Court bewildered. They secretly lamented, "Is the Eastern Emperor planning to move the entire Spirit Treasure Mountain? Where will we go to find Dragon Fang Blades in the future?"
Fortunately, the Eastern Emperor only moved one peak. There were still eight others.
This peak was incredibly heavy. Although it wasn't the entire Spirit Treasure Mountain, it was still formidable. When the Eastern Emperor moved it, the powerful geomagnetic force distorted space.
Qin Mu's eyelids twitched. For the Eastern Emperor, this mountain wasn't large, but for Qin Mu, it was too tall, too big, and too heavy. He couldn't possibly lift or move it.
The Eastern Emperor transformed into a blue-robed emperor, standing in the air with one hand holding the Spirit Treasure Mountain. "Heretic Lord, here is the Spirit Treasure Mountain. Catch!" With that, he tossed the mountain toward Qin Mu!
Long Qilin and Yan'er were horrified. The mountain peak was so massive that even if they tried to flee, they wouldn't escape its crushing weight in time.
Qin Mu smiled slightly. He reached up and plucked the vertical eye from his forehead, tossing it into the air.
His third eye flew toward the Spirit Treasure Mountain, its pupil seemingly spinning as a beam of light shot out to meet the mountain.
The light swept from the mountain's peak to its base, and the Spirit Treasure Mountain vanished into thin air.
The divine eye flew back and settled into Qin Mu's forehead. Flesh and nerves reconnected automatically.
Qin Mu blinked his third eye. Since it was only one mountain peak, the strain was minimal. He laughed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Please, stay here."
The Eastern Emperor was momentarily stunned. He descended from the sky and led the civil and military officials of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace to see Qin Mu off. The procession was grand and followed all proper etiquette. "Heretic Lord, don't take it to heart. The two tests were just jokes. Please don't dwell on them."
Qin Mu replied, "I feel uneasy about damaging so many palaces in the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace."
"Don't blame yourself, Your Excellency. The Eastern Extreme Heaven has many divine dragons skilled in architecture. If they're damaged, we'll just rebuild them."
The Eastern Emperor was as warm as a spring breeze, completely devoid of the aggressive demeanor he had shown earlier. He walked side by side with Qin Mu, laughing. "I didn't welcome you when you arrived, but I will see you off when you leave. Your Excellency, we've reached the Southern Heavenly Gate."
"Please, stay." Qin Mu turned and bowed.
The Eastern Emperor returned the bow. "May your journey be safe, Your Excellency."
Qin Mu called for Long Qilin and Yan'er and headed out.
After traveling over a thousand li, they saw divine light blazing behind them and heavenly dragons dancing wildly. The Eastern Emperor, leading his civil and military officials, caught up again, laughing heartily. "I saw you off once, but it wasn't enough, so I've come to see you off again!"
Yan'er and Long Qilin were startled. "Could it be that the Eastern Emperor feels he lost face and was taken advantage of by the young master (Sect Leader), so he's come to silence us and take back the treasure?"
Qin Mu jumped down from Long Qilin's back, showing a moved expression. He sighed. "Your Majesty, your first farewell already overwhelmed me. A second farewell would make me feel ashamed. I appreciate your kindness, but please, stay."
The Eastern Emperor sighed. "Meeting with Your Excellency has stirred many emotions in me. If I don't see you off, I'll find it hard to let go."
Qin Mu bowed, and the Eastern Emperor returned the gesture, personally helping him onto Long Qilin's back. "Safe travels!"
"Please, stay, Your Majesty."
Long Qilin ran forward. Glancing back, he saw the Eastern Emperor and the many divine dragons of the Eastern Extreme Heaven still standing in midair, watching from afar. Their affection seemed genuine.
Long Qilin was about to ask Qin Mu something when divine light surged again. The Eastern Emperor and his entourage caught up once more, shouting, "Heretic Lord, wait!"
Qin Mu had Long Qilin stop and dismounted. Beside him, a dragon maiden held a tray with a golden cup of fine wine. The Eastern Emperor personally poured the wine, raised his cup, and said, "Your Excellency, I failed to drink heartily with you during your visit. That was my fault. As we part, I offer you this toast."
Qin Mu took the cup and drank with him, laughing. "I'm not a strong drinker. I'm already tipsy. Your Majesty's single cup of fine wine is worth a thousand jars of the best brew. Please, stay."
The Eastern Emperor watched him mount Long Qilin and waved goodbye.
Long Qilin carried Qin Mu and Yan'er near the Divine Artifact Imperial Celestial Venerable, only to see the Eastern Emperor and his group of experts from the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace catch up yet again. The Eastern Emperor ordered dried fruits to be presented, saying apologetically, "Your Excellency, I failed to fulfill my duties as host during your visit to the Eastern Extreme Heaven. I humbly offer these fruits."
Qin Mu had Yan'er accept the dried fruits. "Your Majesty's kindness overwhelms me."
The Eastern Emperor waved goodbye again, bidding a warm farewell.
After another thousand li, Long Qilin reached another divine city. Once again, the Eastern Emperor and his entourage caught up to see him off. The Eastern Emperor choked up, tears falling. "Parting with the Heretic Lord today, I wonder when we will meet again. Let me see you off a little further."
Qin Mu couldn't help but shed tears as well, choking out, "Your Majesty's kindness is something I could never repay, even if I were ground to dust!"
The two embraced, then separated, each wiping their tears.
The divine demons on the six divine cities in the palm of the Divine Artifact Imperial Celestial Venerable watched this scene, whispering among themselves.
Qin Mu set off again. Long Qilin was full of questions but had no time to ask. Before he could, the Eastern Emperor and his entourage caught up once more, seeing him off with great enthusiasm.
The Eastern Emperor and his group saw him off nine times in total, all the way to the Heavenly Dragon Chariot. The Eastern Emperor personally harnessed the heavenly dragons, helped Qin Mu onto the chariot, and watched him sit down.
"Your Majesty, please return." Qin Mu opened the window, his eyes red.
The Eastern Emperor sighed. "When will we meet again?"
The group watched the Heavenly Dragon Chariot enter the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge before finally turning back.
"The Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon is a formidable figure."
Qin Mu sighed with emotion. "How could the Eastern Heavenly Azure Emperor ever contend with him? Only the Langxuan Divine Emperor can suppress him."
In the chariot, the figure of Langhuan Divine King appeared. She said calmly, "Having fought in the great war against the Creator race and survived the Blood Rust Campaign, he is naturally no easy opponent. Holy Child, I've been worried that you might underestimate him."
Qin Mu smiled slightly. "It was he who underestimated me and suffered a small loss. But he made up for it."
Long Qilin could no longer contain his curiosity. "Sect Leader, why did the Eastern Emperor treat you so warmly after suffering a loss? He even saw you off nine times! Even if the Heavenly Emperor came, he might not have been seen off nine times."
Yan'er was also full of doubts. "The Eastern Emperor is petty and vengeful. He doesn't seem like that kind of person!"
Qin Mu laughed. "He was putting on a show to demonstrate to the Heavenly Court that he has already allied with me, and to show that he values me beyond measure. This serves two purposes: first, to show his stance to the other ancient gods, and second, to force the Heavenly Court to deal with me."
He rubbed his temples. "I made him suffer a loss. In front of his descendants, I beat up his reincarnated body and won one of his mountain peaks in a bet. The Eastern Emperor lost face. How could he not retaliate? His seemingly warm farewells—nine farewells for the Heretic Lord, such great face for me—actually serve to make the Heavenly Court want to eliminate me even more. He's putting me on the fire to roast."
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