Chapter 1389: Changing of the Guard on the City Walls
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 furrowed his brow slightly, glancing at Kai Huang before turning his gaze to Qin Mu.
At the main seat, Qin Mu sat perfectly still, his posture unwavering. He sneered, "Qin Ye, you once used the alias Qin Kai and traveled with me during the Long Han era. We both received the favor of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, were enfeoffed as Heavenly Venerables, and together with the Seven Heavenly Venerables who pioneered the seven realms of the divine treasury, we were called the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Long Han. At the Jasper Pool Banquet, I taught the Imperial Heavenly Venerable the method of becoming a god, beat the Fire Heavenly Venerable, and blasted the Hao Heavenly Venerable. I established the Way through divine abilities, founded the Heavenly Alliance, and set the grand plan for post-natal beings and demigods to surpass the innate ancient gods!"
He stood up, flicking his sleeve, the fabric striking the air with a thunderous roar. He said coldly, "I was honored as the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Alliance, a title well-deserved. What virtue or ability do you have to stand alongside me? Where is your cultivation? Where is your moral integrity? Without morality, what face do you have to stand with me and be called a Heavenly Venerable? You are nothing but a counterfeit Heavenly Venerable, merely promoted by chance because you fought me to a draw!"
As he spoke, several of the Heavenly Venerables present could no longer sit still.
Qin Mu was openly cursing Kai Huang Qin Ye, but in truth, he was berating them.
Qin Mu had transmitted the method of becoming a god, allowing mortals to achieve immortality and live as long as the ancient gods, sharing the same lifespan as heaven and earth.
In an era when the Way of divine abilities was still in its infancy, he had established the Way through divine abilities, using foresight a million years ahead of his time to let the world witness the power and diverse transformations of divine abilities. He showed people that the weak could master divine abilities and defeat those who stood high above.
He also founded the Heavenly Alliance, laying the foundation for the world's structure for the next million years.
He was called Mu Tianzun, a title well-deserved.
Yet, compared to him, the current Ten Heavenly Venerables all seemed lackluster. Especially the seven—Xu Tianzun, Zu Shenwang, Langxuan, Gong, Qiang, Hong, and Yan—none of them had any notable achievements to their names.
In terms of contributions, only Hao Tianzun could stand alongside Qin Mu. However, the Heavenly Alliance was not founded by Hao Tianzun; he had only seized power after Qin Mu's absence, becoming its leader.
Even Hao Tianzun and the Fire Heavenly Venerable looked rather embarrassed at this moment. They had indeed been beaten by Qin Mu, especially Hao Tianzun, who had lain bedridden for a thousand years.
As for Kai Huang Qin Ye, he too was made to look somewhat awkward.
In the early Long Han era, he and Qin Mu had been enfeoffed as Heavenly Venerables together, but there was indeed a great deal of water in that promotion. It was suspected that the Heavenly Emperor had only granted him the title of Qin Tianzun out of respect for Qin Mu.
He could be said to have sneaked into the ranks of the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Long Han.
"Mu Tianzun, I am also one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance."
Kai Huang stopped walking and sneered, "Leaving aside everything else, being one of the Five Founding Elders alone is enough to secure a seat among the Heavenly Venerables. But I am not limited to that. I pioneered the Dao Realm, compensating for the shortcomings of the Heavenly Palace realm, establishing the Way after birth! The Dao Realm I created, combined with the Heavenly Palace realm, allows the thirty-six heavens of the Great Way to be imprinted in the ultimate void. As long as the universe does not perish, I will not perish!"
His hand pressed down on his sword hilt, and he drew his blade with a fierce motion. The sword light filled the sky.
Swish—
The light of the Wuyou Sword filled the Heavenly Court, and before the Southern Heavenly Gate, thirty-five heavens emerged. From the Taihuang Pingtian Sword, the Taiming Qitian Sword, to the Shangqing Sword Domain, and then to the Yuqing Sword Domain, all were laid bare for every divine being present to see!
The thirty-five heavens of the sword domain, pure sword Dao, displayed a power no less than that of the thirty-five Heavenly Palaces. The aura of the sword Dao grew stronger from bottom to top. By the Yuqing Sword Domain, the sword Dao had almost become tangible, making all who cultivated sword techniques, sword arts, or sword Dao feel a sense of awe, as if looking up to an unattainable peak!
As the thirty-five Dao Realms appeared, the divine weapons of everyone present began to ring uncontrollably, emitting waves of divine might. It was as if these weapons trembled, shivered, and prostrated themselves before the pinnacle of the sword Dao!
This was an omen that even the Ten Heavenly Venerables had never displayed!
Behind Kai Huang, the thirty-five Dao Realms grew brighter and more awe-inspiring. His words were like swords, pointing directly at the Dao hearts of every divine being present!
Even the Heavenly Venerables could feel a sharp sword aimed at the weaknesses in their Dao hearts!
Kai Huang said calmly, "The Dao Realm I pioneered is different from the so-called Ten Heavenly Venerables. My Dao Realm is not merely a cultivation method to compensate for the shortcomings of the Heavenly Palace cultivation system; it is also a path where the post-natal surpasses the innate!"
"Arrogant nonsense!"
The nine Heavenly Venerables frowned. Before they could speak, Qin Mu slapped the armrest of his throne and shouted sternly, "Qin Tianzun, you are too arrogant! How dare you claim to have compensated for the shortcomings of the Heavenly Palace cultivation system? That is nothing but your own self-praise, gilding the lily! As for the post-natal surpassing the innate, that is even more boundless and shameless, utterly despicable!"
Kai Huang laughed heartily, pointing his sword at Qin Mu. His words were stirring and grand: "Mu Tianzun, the world cultivates only innate methods, not post-natal divine abilities or post-natal Great Ways. They simply fail to see the principle of the post-natal surpassing the innate! Once my sword Dao is complete, I can imprint it in the Great Luo Heaven, the ultimate void. As long as the universe does not perish, I will not perish! With this alone, can I not be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables?"
Qin Mu was about to speak, but Kai Huang cut him off, continuing, "I pioneered the Dao Realm method and taught the world the way to cultivate the Dao Realm. Can I not be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables? The innate Great Ways are limited, controlled by the ancient gods. The post-natal Great Ways are endless. I have taught the world the method of the post-natal surpassing the innate. Can I not be ranked among the Heavenly Venerables? Mu Tianzun, you child, you say I am unworthy of being a Heavenly Venerable. My achievements, merits, Dao, and virtue—can they not qualify me to be one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance?"
Qin Mu's face changed color, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He quickly stood up and yielded his seat, his expression full of fear and respect. He praised, "I did not know that Qin Tianzun possessed such Dao, virtue, achievements, and merits. I thought you were merely seeking fame and reputation, so I underestimated you. Although my achievements and virtues are great, they are still a step behind yours. You are worthy of being one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, one of the Alliance Leaders. I am convinced in my heart and submit willingly. Please take the main seat, and I will sit below you."
Everyone present was still trying to process what had just happened, their expressions dazed.
Moments ago, the two had been harsh and severe, with Qin Mu angrily rebuking Qin Tianzun, looking as if he would tear him apart and cast him into eternal damnation. But in the blink of an eye, he was convinced and prostrated himself in submission.
This shift in attitude was truly dizzying.
Kai Huang walked forward, sword in hand, and laughed, "Mu Tianzun has a broad heart. He established the Way through divine abilities, founded the Heavenly Alliance, and has the world in his heart. He is a saintly king who spreads the Dao, a gentleman of integrity. His achievements are no less than mine. Although I have achievements and virtues, the Heavenly Alliance was ultimately founded by you. You becoming the chief Alliance Leader is something I accept willingly. I can only take the second seat."
Qin Mu quickly exchanged pleasantries, inviting him to take the main seat. Kai Huang repeatedly declined, and the two of them deferentially yielded to each other at the head of the assembly. Below, in the Second Heavenly Court and the First Heavenly Court, the divine beings, great emperors, and celestial masters of the various heavens stood dumbfounded.
The nine Heavenly Venerables frowned deeply, exchanging glances with each other.
The coordination between these two was flawless, as if they had rehearsed it countless times. Kai Huang Qin Ye had arrived with a menacing air, looking as if he would cause a massive uproar at the Heavenly Alliance meeting, refusing to stop until one of them was dead.
Qin Mu's words were fierce, as if he intended to personally kill Kai Huang, punish the wicked, and fight to the bitter end.
But somehow, the conversation had turned into mutual praise. Kai Huang, the rebel, had transformed into a great sage who had contributed to the world's people and the stability of the heavens!
Moreover, Kai Huang had instantly gone from a rebel to one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, his title of Heavenly Venerable well-deserved. In the blink of an eye, he had ascended to the seat of power in the Heavenly Alliance. This was too bizarre and unbelievable.
Unable to decline further, Qin Mu had no choice but to sit in the main seat, his face glowing with pride. "I will reluctantly, with a thick face, sit in the first seat. How embarrassing, how embarrassing! Hahahaha—"
Kai Huang took his seat, and the nine Heavenly Venerables looked over coldly.
Qin Mu was radiant with joy, beaming with satisfaction. He said to Kai Huang with a smile, "I previously misunderstood you, Daoist brother. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, I suddenly feel that Qin Tianzun is a good person. Sitting with you at the same table is a blessing for three lifetimes..."
Before Kai Huang could respond, Hao Tianzun expressionlessly signaled the Fire Heavenly Venerable. The Fire Heavenly Venerable understood and stood up, saying, "Mu Tianzun, this is not appropriate, is it?"
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with his right elbow resting on his right knee. He turned sideways and asked curiously, "Fire Heavenly Venerable, what is not appropriate?"
The Fire Heavenly Venerable said coldly, "Kai Huang Qin Ye, though bearing the title of Qin Tianzun, walks a path of rebellion. He established the Kai Huang Heavenly Court, colluded with the Heavenly Duke, and plotted to overthrow the Heavenly Court, seeking to become the orthodox ruler of heaven and earth. Where does that leave His Majesty? Where does it leave the demigods? Where does it leave the Heavenly Venerables present?"
He stepped forward and said coldly, "Kai Huang seeks to restore the era of ancient god rule, to make the Heavenly Duke and the Earth Lord the rulers of all races! The Heavenly Duke is a brutal tyrant who allowed the Earth Mother Yuanjun to wreak havoc, slaughtering millions of Heavenly Court soldiers and generals, as well as various lords. The Heavenly Duke has lost all conscience, and his crimes are unforgivable. Kai Huang, by associating with him, deserves death!"
Qin Mu smiled. The Fire Heavenly Venerable's words were exactly the content of the proclamation to punish the Heavenly Duke. By saying this, the Fire Heavenly Venerable spared Qin Mu from bearing the blame for executing the Heavenly Duke.
The Fire Heavenly Venerable also knew this was inappropriate, but Kai Huang had come to seize power, seize authority, and seize the people's hearts. He had no choice but to throw mud at Kai Huang.
If he did not, Kai Huang would steal the power of the Heavenly Venerables, steal the people's hearts, and steal the momentum, sneaking into the Heavenly Alliance and creating countless variables and changes in the future.
The Ten Heavenly Venerables absolutely could not allow this to happen!
Hong Tianzun stood up, his voice as loud as a bell, saying, "The Heavenly Duke deserves death. Kai Huang has abandoned the world's greater righteousness and deserves death. Moreover, Kai Huang has occupied the Tai Xu and colluded with the prehistoric creators. How brutal are the creators? Kai Huang's crimes are immense and cannot be whitewashed!"
Qin Mu was moved. He stood up and said sternly, "Qin Ye, you have committed such heinous crimes! I valued you so much, yet you have betrayed me and betrayed the world! I am ashamed to stand with you! However, your achievements, merits, Dao, and virtue are all great. Merits and faults can cancel each other out. If you bow your head and admit your mistakes, sever ties with the Heavenly Duke, it is not unforgivable..."
His voice was harsh, but as he spoke, a smile crept back onto his face. He said to the nine Heavenly Venerables, "Why not let this scoundrel Qin Ye toast everyone and apologize? We can all laugh it off..."
"Hahahaha!"
Zu Shenwang suddenly stood up, laughing uproariously, and said sternly, "Mu Tianzun, the Earth Mother Yuanjun did not kill your people. You play the peacemaker so smoothly, 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 Qin Tianzun is the Heavenly Duke's lackey. You can tolerate him, but I cannot!"
Qin Mu rubbed his hands together repeatedly, stamping his feet, and said, "What can be done? What can be done? Today is the Heavenly Alliance meeting. His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has decreed that we should be harmonious and peaceful. How has it come to this? I am young and cannot handle this matter. If only another respected and virtuous Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Alliance could descend to help me solve this problem, that would be wonderful..."
"Mu Tianzun, do not worry."
Suddenly, a clear and refreshing female voice came, leisurely saying, "One of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, the Moon Heavenly Venerable of the Nine Heavenly Venerables of Long Han, has come to share Mu Tianzun's worries and solve his difficulties."
Qin Mu was overjoyed, so moved that he choked up and shed tears. Through his tear-filled eyes, he saw a woman walking forward, stepping onto the Second Heavenly Court and arriving here.
As she moved, the sound of a zither played.
The zither's sound was strange, harmonizing with everyone's Heavenly Palaces and Great Ways. As the zither sounded, everyone's Dao techniques and divine abilities also burst forth with various Dao sounds and Dao rhythms.
Qin Mu hurriedly said, "Moon Heavenly Venerable, Moon Daoist friend, come up quickly and solve my current problem. Zu Shenwang, Hong Tianzun, and Fire Heavenly Venerable want to fight with Qin Tianzun!"
The Moon Heavenly Venerable smiled and said, "I am also one of the Five Founding Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, honored as one of its Alliance Leaders. I pioneered the Seven Star Realm, but I have been absent for a long time. Most of the Heavenly Alliance members probably do not recognize me. Mu Tianzun sits in the main seat. I dare only take the second seat, like Qin Tianzun."
Qin Mu quickly invited her to sit down, choked with emotion, and said, "I heard that you, Daoist brother, were injured by a villain and went into seclusion. I have been searching for you but never found you. Now you have finally appeared! Daoist brother, have you fully recovered from your injuries? Who had the benevolent heart and skillful hands to heal you?"
—The Year of the Pig is approaching, and Zhai Zhu's zodiac year is almost here! Roar for monthly tickets, begging to be happily drowned by monthly tickets~~