Chapter 1039: Establishing the Dao Through Divine Abilities
After the Moon Venerable and the others sent the Xiao Han Heavenly Court into the sky, they celebrated for a while but did not remain in the Heavenly Court. Everyone packed their bags and went together to the human tribes to spread the teachings.
Qin Mu hesitated for a moment, then let Yan'er carry the lantern before joining them to spread the teachings.
"Yun, you seem a bit strange."
The Moon Venerable studied him, shaking her head. "Carrying a lantern in broad daylight."
Ling Venerable had no interest in ordinary mortals and stayed hidden in the Xiao Han Heavenly Court, engrossed in her own research. On this trip, only the Moon Venerable, the Dao Ancestor, and a few other human gods accompanied them.
The place they built for spreading the teachings was very crude, located in the center of the tribe. When Qin Mu and the Moon Venerable arrived, the Dao Ancestor was already there, teaching.
"If we can't even survive, what's the use of learning this damned arithmetic!"
An adult man pulled his child and turned to leave, cursing under his breath: "It doesn't fill our bellies!"
The people in this tribe were dressed in rags, their faces gaunt and sallow. The place where the Dao Ancestor taught was a dilapidated thatched hut, with a dozen or so boys and girls sitting inside, listening intently as he imparted knowledge of arithmetic.
Qin Mu looked around. The tribe had a considerable population, over a thousand people, who lived by hunting and farming. They were all poor souls toiling under the sun, their backs bent over the soil. The village also enshrined a divine statue, though he couldn't tell which demigod it represented.
This place wasn't too far from the Xiao Han Heavenly Court. If one looked up, they could see the Heavenly Court in the sky, yet the enshrined statue was of a demigod. This showed that, at this time, human gods still held little status.
The Dao Ancestor lectured for a while, explaining how to use arithmetic to calculate the stars in the sky, determine the Five Luminaries within the body, and thereby open the Five Luminaries Divine Treasury. But then, several parents came and dragged away the few remaining children from the thatched hut to do farm work, leaving only a handful behind.
The Dao Ancestor finished his lecture, sighed, silently stood up, and packed his bags.
Qin Mu and the Moon Venerable waited outside. The Dao Ancestor came out, bowed respectfully, and said, "To enlighten the ignorant and open their wisdom is the most difficult task. For now, I can only go this far—first teaching the method to open the Spirit Embryo Divine Treasury and the Five Luminaries Divine Treasury, hoping that among them, one might become a practitioner of divine abilities. If even one child can master a divine ability, the villagers will see that humans too can wield great power and no longer fear the gods."
"This is precisely about breaking the god within the heart," Qin Mu said, feeling a resonance. This step was the hardest.
For a million years, the benevolent and righteous figures of the human race had tried to break the god within the heart, yet even after a million years, people in the present-day Yan Kang were still sometimes troubled by this inner god.
The Moon Venerable comforted him, saying, "Old Daoist, don't lose heart. One day, people will no longer fear the gods or revere them."
The Dao Ancestor hesitated but still voiced his thoughts: "Moon Venerable, I believe there shouldn't be a realm called 'god.' We set the realms, so why must the Heavenly Palace realm be called the Divine Realm? Calling it the Divine Realm gives future generations the false impression that when the primordial spirit reaches the Southern Heavenly Gate, one becomes a god."
"This..." The Moon Venerable hadn't considered this question either. She turned to look at Qin Mu.
Qin Mu said, "Old Daoist, you may not know this, but the reason it's called the Divine Realm is precisely to break the god within the heart. 'God' refers to the ancient gods, who were born from the great Dao of heaven and earth, wielding powers beyond mortal imagination, immortal and coexisting with the universe. When mortals cultivate and train, they too can wield such incredible power, become immortal, and coexist with the universe. In this way, it dispels people's fear of the ancient gods."
"I see," the Dao Ancestor said, suddenly enlightened.
Qin Mu continued, "Back then, Yu Venerable was actually reluctant to call it the Divine Realm. The seven realms of the Heavenly Palace are just realms, no different from the seven realms of the Divine Treasury. In his eyes and mine, the Heavenly Palace is actually a great divine treasury, belonging to the eighth realm of the Divine Treasury. Those who cultivate to become gods are merely practitioners of divine abilities. However, to give people the confidence to break the god within their hearts, the name 'Divine Realm' was retained."
The Moon Venerable said in surprise, "Daoist Yun, you never mentioned this before!"
Qin Mu hesitated and said, "But I have a concern. I worry that in the future, practitioners who cultivate the Heavenly Palace might become beings like the ancient gods. That's why I've always been hesitant about calling the Heavenly Palace realm the Divine Realm."
The Moon Venerable fell into thought.
The Dao Ancestor grumbled, "You two can figure out these mind-bending matters yourselves. I'm off to the next tribe to spread the teachings." With that, he walked away.
Qin Mu was also lost in thought.
The establishment of the realm of gods was actually decided by Yu Venerable, Hao Venerable, and himself. However, the essence of the seven Heavenly Palace realms was a massive Heavenly Palace divine treasury. So-called deities were merely immortal practitioners of divine abilities, not traditional ancient gods.
They unanimously called it "god" to break the worship of ancient gods.
Yet, as Qin Mu looked at the demigod statue in this tribe, he felt a sense of disorientation. In the Long Han era, people hadn't shaken off their worship of ancient gods, and now they were worshipping demigod deities who possessed greater power than humans.
The Moon Venerable entered the thatched hut to teach. Just then, the people of the tribe began to flee in all directions, crying out, "The Spirit Mountain Great King is coming!"
"Hurry and offer sacrifices!"
The tribe members drove cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs to a wooden altar in the center of the tribe. The livestock stood on the altar, trembling.
Meanwhile, the men, women, old, and young of the tribe knelt before the demigod statue, kowtowing incessantly and murmuring prayers.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. A demigod descended from the heavens on wind and thunder, landing two massive bird-like claws before the altar. He folded his wings, and behind him, a Heavenly Palace swayed, casting a shadow over half the tribe.
This Spirit Mountain Great King looked at the altar and was very dissatisfied with the livestock. His voice was sharp and piercing: "Today, the Great King won't eat livestock. Let's change the taste—bring some virgin boys and girls for me to feast on!"
The tribe's old chieftain said in a trembling voice, "Great King, these livestock are offered to you. If they're not enough, we can add more..."
Boom!
Lightning and thunder erupted around the Spirit Mountain Great King, shaking the ground. "Shut up! Cattle and sheep are livestock, and aren't you livestock too? You're just intelligent livestock I raise. I let you enjoy favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and safe hunting and herb-gathering, free from tigers and snakes. Haven't I done enough for you livestock? And you dare to argue with me over eating a few virgin boys and girls!"
Qin Mu frowned. He raised his hand, and a sword light flew out. The Spirit Mountain Great King sensed it and immediately turned his head, laughing, "You livestock have invited a human god..."
Before he could finish, his head fell to the ground, along with his primordial spirit, both severed by a single sword strike.
The Moon Venerable rushed out of the thatched hut and, seeing this, furrowed her brow.
The tribe members were also stunned. Suddenly, an old man wailed and pointed at Qin Mu, cursing angrily, "You've doomed us all!"
Another old woman stood up and spat a glob of phlegm at Qin Mu, saying angrily, "The Spirit Mountain Great King is a god under the Divine Emperor! You killed him, and the Divine Emperor will annihilate our entire clan!"
"Don't let him leave! Take him to the Divine Emperor to pay with his life!"
People surged forward to grab Qin Mu, shouting, "We can't let him go! Let him pay with his life—it's none of our business!"
"Seize him!"
The Dragon Qilin stood in front of Qin Mu and suddenly let out a roar that shook heaven and earth, causing the surrounding houses to collapse and shatter.
The Dragon Qilin shook its body, transforming into a colossal beast, blocking everyone's path. Its size was even larger than the Spirit Mountain Great King who had just been killed.
The people were thrown off balance by the shockwave. Seeing this massive creature, they fell to the ground in terror, some fainting.
Qin Mu frowned. "Pi, there's no need for that."
The Dragon Qilin retracted its true form, shrinking down.
Qin Mu looked at the devastated tribe and raised his hand, sweeping it around. It was as if time had reversed—the collapsed houses rapidly restored themselves, looking exactly as before.
Qin Mu withdrew his hand, only to see the Moon Venerable staring at him in surprise, as if seeing him for the first time.
Qin Mu walked in front of the Dragon Qilin and looked at the people prostrate on the ground, his expression complex.
The Moon Venerable stepped forward and said, "The Spirit Mountain Great King is a subordinate of the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor. The Lang Xuan Divine Emperor rules over most of the Primordial Realm, with unfathomable power. This time, you were indeed a bit reckless..."
"Then let's go see the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor."
Qin Mu strode forward, saying, "The demigods under the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor rule over many humans. Now that the Human Heavenly Court has been established, humans should no longer be treated as livestock by his subordinates."
The Moon Venerable hesitated. "The Lang Xuan Divine Emperor is the first demigod in the world, with unfathomable power. He was invited by the Heavenly Emperor to attend the Heavenly Court gathering—a terrifying existence. We won't be his match..."
Qin Mu said calmly, "I am no longer Yun Venerable now. I am Mu Venerable, who establishes the Dao through divine abilities. What Yun Venerable and you couldn't do, I can do."
Just as he was about to leave, an old woman crawled over and grabbed his leg, crying, "You can't leave! You have to stay and pay with your life for the Spirit Mountain Great King!"
The Moon Venerable stepped forward to help the old woman up, saying, "We're going to see the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor. Don't worry..."
"He can go, but you can't!"
The old woman grabbed her hand and shouted harshly, "Leave this woman here to pay with her life for the Spirit Mountain Great King!"
The Moon Venerable tried to break free but was afraid of hurting her. However, other villagers surrounded them, grabbing at her and crying, "You can't leave!"
The Moon Venerable grew anxious. She slightly activated her primordial energy, pushing these people back. The old woman, furious and desperate, rolled her eyes and fainted.
"The education of a race is merely about advancing their virtue, opening their wisdom, and increasing their strength."
Qin Mu walked forward, his voice carrying barely suppressed anger. "If virtue doesn't advance, wisdom doesn't open, and strength doesn't increase, even after a million years, they'll still be as ignorant as they are now!"
The Moon Venerable hurried to catch up with him, saying, "If one generation can't change it, then two generations. If two can't, then three or four! One day, it will change!"
Qin Mu gave a wry smile. "If a million years can't change it, would you still have the same fighting spirit now?"
The Moon Venerable was taken aback and fell silent.
Qin Mu said decisively, "Yue, where does the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor live? I'm going to find him!"
The Moon Venerable was puzzled. "The Lang Xuan Divine Emperor naturally lives in the Lang Xuan Divine Palace, a place of great luxury. When we were planning to establish the Human Heavenly Court, you even went there to visit him."
"I forgot," Qin Mu said flatly.
The Moon Venerable grew even more puzzled but led the way. Behind them, the Dragon Qilin and Yan'er followed, with Yan'er still carrying the lantern. Luo Xiao also followed Qin Mu, inwardly anxious: "This man has a hot temper, no wonder he has so many enemies. Now he's going to fight this Lang Xuan Divine Emperor. Do I have to go too? Lang Xuan Divine Emperor... I recall from ancestral memories that there was such a figure who participated in the Blood Rust Campaign..."
The Lang Xuan Divine Palace was immeasurably larger than the Human Xiao Han Heavenly Court, magnificent and grand. From afar, it looked like the true Heavenly Court, while the Human Xiao Han Heavenly Court was merely a shabby little town.
This Heavenly Palace was unique. It was also built in the sky, but many massive demigods bore the palaces on their backs, standing on the ground. Tens of thousands of demigods hoisted the Heavenly Palace, their muscular bodies fierce and imposing.
The spectacle was breathtaking, inspiring awe at the demigods' immense power!
"Once we reach the Lang Xuan Divine Palace, you must restrain your temper and speak well with the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor."
The Moon Venerable instructed, "He admires you. Last time you visited him, he personally received you, offered you fine wine, and called you 'Daoist friend.' It shows he holds you in high regard..."
"Lang Xuan—"
Qin Mu suddenly spoke, his voice rumbling like thunder. The sky darkened, clouds gathered, and lightning flashed. In an instant, dark clouds rolled in from thousands of miles away, converging over the Lang Xuan Divine Palace.
The clouds were dozens of miles thick, heavy and oppressive. Countless bolts of lightning darted through them. Suddenly, all the clouds coalesced into a massive face. The face opened its mouth wide and roared at the thousands of palaces within the Lang Xuan Divine Palace: "Get out here!"
A fierce wind howled, sweeping through the Lang Xuan Divine Palace. The roofs of many halls were torn off. A tributary of the Heavenly River had been diverted here to form a Jasper Pool, but now the pool's water was almost completely drained, splashing in all directions!
In the divine palace, countless gods trembled in fear, looking up at that terrifying sight.
Suddenly, from the Hall of Divine Might within the palace, a brilliant light like the sun rose, evaporating the dark clouds for thousands of miles. Layer upon layer of divine radiance bloomed, illuminating ten thousand miles.
The voice of the Lang Xuan Divine Emperor came, furious: "So it's Mu Venerable! You madman, what are you doing, shouting at my place? I am the ancestor of demigods! Do you think I dare not touch you?"
Behind him, a Heavenly Palace also emerged, with his primordial spirit standing on the Jasper Terrace, dominating the region.
In terms of realm, he was a heavenly god at the Jasper Pool realm. However, his demigod bloodline was extremely pure, and his combat power as an adult was not inferior to that of ancient gods, requiring almost no cultivation.
The Lang Xuan Divine Emperor was even the son of the ancient god Heavenly Emperor and the Creator King Gong Yun, one of the Three Kings. His bloodline was extremely noble, and he had already reached adulthood.
The seven realms of the Divine Treasury and Heavenly Palace, established together by the seven ancient venerables and Qin Mu, were never a measure of combat power.
As the ancestor of demigods, his combat power was absolutely terrifying!
Qin Mu stepped forward, walking toward the Lang Xuan Divine Palace. His primordial energy erupted, like a sharp sword pointing straight at the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Lang Xuan Divine Palace.
That Southern Heavenly Gate suddenly split in the middle, cleaved in two by his spirit and energy!
A deep sword scar appeared on the Heavenly Street, crackling and snapping as it rapidly extended forward. Wherever it passed, halls split apart, the main gate of the Jade Capital City was suddenly sliced open, and the city tower was neatly divided in two!
This sword energy cut through the Gate of Heavenly Succession and arrived before the Hall of Divine Might!
—A chapter of over four thousand words! It's the end of the month, so if you have monthly votes, feel free to throw a couple~