Chapter 1454: The Vast Heavenly Heart Makes the Universe Small
Palace Heavenly Sovereign lifted her head. In the moment she raised it, her hair had already turned completely white, and the twenty-fourth wrinkle appeared on her face.
Her physical body had aged.
Logically, this should have been impossible. Having cultivated to the divine realm, one's lifespan equals that of heaven. The physical bodies of deities remain perpetually at their peak state; with their boundless longevity, they could never possibly age.
The physical lifespan of deities is infinite. No matter how much their lifespan is reduced, it can never be exhausted. Even if Nether Heavenly Sovereign were to cut away her lifespan, it could not make her age.
Yet her physical body had still inevitably aged.
This was the first time since the establishment of the Heavenly Palace cultivation system—the first encounter with a divine ability capable of cutting the lifespan of deities, or even Heavenly Sovereigns!
And this divine ability was created by Nether Heavenly Sovereign, who had opened the Life and Death Divine Treasury!
He had broken through the boundary between life and death, bridging the gap between the underworld and the mortal world, allowing cultivators to gain infinite lifespan upon reaching the divine realm. Now, having comprehended the Nether Capital Great Dao to its utmost extreme, he possessed the ability to strip away the physical lifespan of deities!
Palace Heavenly Sovereign desperately visualized, mobilizing her divine consciousness, doing everything in her power to envision her physical state from when she was young, restoring her bodily functions.
After all, in her previous life, she had been a God King among the Creators. Creators could also achieve immortality, not through the Divine Treasury Heavenly Palace system, but by visualizing their own bodies, keeping them eternally youthful!
She still had a chance—in the moment Nether Heavenly Sovereign let down his guard, she could strike him by surprise and turn defeat into victory.
She had lived for far too long and no longer cared about temporary honor or disgrace, victory or defeat. As long as she could win, any means were worth employing.
Yet as she secretly visualized, she still found her physical body inevitably sliding further into the abyss of aging. Cold sweat broke out on Palace Heavenly Sovereign's forehead, and a feeling of despair rose in her heart.
Nether Heavenly Sovereign's primordial spirit raised its palm, extending a single finger. That finger, like a spear, stabbed toward her heart.
The Heavenly Equally Benevolent Saint King of Nether Capital had never been one to show mercy to fair maidens. The countless heavens he had destroyed in his hands, and the nine-bend, eighteen-curve long horns of Earth Lord, were clear proof of his ruthless nature!
Palace Heavenly Sovereign watched the descending finger and silently sighed. This time, she would most likely be unable to escape her fate.
Just then, she suddenly felt the decline of her physical functions come to a halt. Not only that, but her body began to recover its vibrant vitality, with her functions rising linearly!
Palace Heavenly Sovereign, who had been lying flat in the starry sky awaiting death, immediately surged her primordial energy and swiftly moved sideways, dodging Nether Heavenly Sovereign's attack.
Nether Heavenly Sovereign's primordial spirit struck empty air, then suddenly felt a sensation of being locked onto. This feeling was very unfavorable, as if the Nether Capital Great Dao had encountered its nemesis, giving him an extremely uncomfortable sensation.
Nether Heavenly Sovereign's primordial spirit withdrew its finger, and in the instant the twenty-fifth level of Dao Realm erupted, it broke free from this lock. It straightened its waist, turned around, and faced the strong one who had locked onto it.
The youthful Nether Heavenly Sovereign's eye twitched as he saw Yan Heavenly Consort and the two ancient gods behind her.
Those two ancient gods, one male and one female, both had human heads and human torsos but serpent tails. They walked side by side, their serpent tails swimming through the starry sky, and behind their heads stood a giant Tai Chi sand table.
The one bringing him the greatest sense of threat was not Yan Heavenly Consort, but these two ancient gods with their handsome features and bizarre forms!
On the other side, Palace Heavenly Sovereign steadied herself, feeling her physical functions rapidly recovering. Soon she was once again filled with power, her body becoming even more agile.
"Nether, as one of the nine Heavenly Sovereigns of the Dragon Han era, compared to the Heavenly Sovereigns of today, you are indeed exceptionally talented."
Yan Heavenly Consort moved her steps, separating from the two ancient gods, forming a triangular formation with Palace Heavenly Sovereign to trap Nether Heavenly Sovereign in the center. She praised, "My late husband's vision was indeed unique and sharp. He recognized early on that you nine were extraordinary and appointed you as Heavenly Sovereigns. As for us later ten Heavenly Sovereigns, compared to you, we appear somewhat inferior."
Palace Heavenly Sovereign wiped the blood from her lips, her voice still somewhat hoarse: "How many talents emerged in the early Dragon Han era? Each of the nine Dragon Han Heavenly Sovereigns was a figure rarely seen in all of history, yet they all appeared in the same era. As a result, in the million years that followed, no other era saw so many geniuses emerge at once."
Nether Heavenly Sovereign silently watched them, putting on his mask that smiled with tears, without saying a word.
The two Tai Chi ancient gods appreciatively observed this youthful Heavenly Sovereign, unable to help saying, "A figure as outstanding as you should be able to see that you have no chance of victory. It's still not too late for you to leave now. We two have entered the mortal world to temper our Dao hearts, not to extinguish the brilliant stars of this mortal realm. If you are willing to leave, we will make way for you."
Yan Heavenly Consort frowned but said nothing.
Taiyin Goddess said, "You control the Nether Capital Great Dao and are still continuously climbing the Dao Realm, not yet reaching the limit of your potential. But even if you reach the limit of your potential, you are still no match for the two of us. Our Dao precisely restrains yours. Leave now, while there's still time. Don't persist stubbornly."
Taiyang Ancient God said, "We have existed since the opening of heaven and earth, only now emerging into the world. Our purpose is the same as yours—to train in the mortal realm and seek the path of transcendence. Since emerging, our hands have not yet been stained with blood. As fellow seekers on this path, we do not wish to stain them with yours."
Beneath the mask, Nether Heavenly Sovereign blinked his deep, dark eyes, calmly watching them. Suddenly, his eyes curved, and the face under the mask should have been smiling.
"I promised a friend I would stand guard here. So this place is a thunder pool."
His primordial spirit gathered qi to form a wall. With a wave of his hand, a city wall spanning across the Mystic Capital appeared, like a heavenly barrier, standing before the three of them.
Nether Heavenly Sovereign raised his chin slightly, appearing somewhat proud: "If you want to cross this thunder pool, you'll have to step over my corpse!"
Having said this, he no longer wished to speak with them.
Yan Heavenly Consort's gaze fell upon the two Tai Chi ancient gods, and she said softly, "Two Dao brothers, do you have anything more to say now?"
The two ancient gods sighed in unison. A single tear slid from the corners of their eyes, and they spoke in unison: "It must be so."
Tai Chi Ancient God, Palace Heavenly Sovereign, and Yan Heavenly Consort all struck at almost the same moment. Four auras shook heaven and earth, vibrating throughout the entire Mystic Capital, all attacking Nether Heavenly Sovereign simultaneously!
At this moment, Qin Mu, along with Butcher and the others, together with Moon Heavenly Sovereign and Langhuan God King, charged into the Heavenly Duke's battlefield. The Heavenly Duke's situation had already become extremely critical. Surrounded by four Heavenly Sovereigns and three Artifact Imperial Heavenly Sovereigns, even though he had shrunk his physical body to increase his speed, he was still unavoidably suffering repeated injuries.
At this time, the will of the Heavenly Dao was forcibly imposed upon the Heavenly Duke. The will of the Heavenly Dao was extremely strong, suppressing the Heavenly Duke's own consciousness.
The changes in the Heavenly Dao had already been figured out by Hong Heavenly Sovereign, Qiang Heavenly Consort, Langxuan Divine Emperor, and Shi Qiluo. The Heavenly Dao had no creativity, no subjectivity—only objectivity.
The Heavenly Dao consciousness imposed upon the Heavenly Duke, when facing attacks, would simply respond to moves with countermoves, following patterns to break techniques. It was far inferior to others in creativity and adaptability.
This was the flaw of the Heavenly Dao.
Coupled with Hong Heavenly Sovereign, who knew the ins and outs of the Heavenly Dao and the Heavenly Duke, the Heavenly Duke's defeat was happening faster than others had anticipated. Even Langxuan, Qiang Heavenly Consort, and others had not expected eliminating the Heavenly Duke to go so smoothly.
However, Moon Heavenly Sovereign and Langhuan arriving together still caused them some trouble. Plus, Qin Mu and the other five, even if they couldn't threaten their lives, still gave them considerable headaches.
Shi Qiluo directly separated from the battlefield to intercept them. He controlled and drove the three Artifact Imperial Heavenly Sovereigns, possessing great strength. Additionally, his body could change in countless ways, transforming into various strange treasures, making him a figure of immense combat power.
Unfortunately, Moon Heavenly Sovereign simply refused to engage him head-on. If she missed an attack, she would immediately retreat and continue attacking Hong Heavenly Sovereign, Qiang Heavenly Consort, and others, leaving Shi Qiluo sighing in frustration.
What made things even more difficult for Shi Qiluo was that Langhuan God King's divine consciousness invaded the Artifact Imperial Heavenly Sovereigns, competing with him for control of the artifacts. She even invaded his body at one point, trying to control him and use him as a divine weapon to attack Langxuan and the others.
Fortunately, he was the master of the Zaofu Heavenly Palace and had left various hidden mechanisms within the Artifact Imperial Heavenly Sovereigns. Even his own body contained countless hidden traps. Although Langhuan God King could not seize control, she kept harassing him, driving him somewhat mad.
"Let me handle this!"
Langxuan Divine Emperor suddenly erupted with divine consciousness, clashing head-on with Langhuan God King. With a single finger of divine power, he pierced through layers of space, forcing Moon Heavenly Sovereign out. With a flick of his sleeve, he sent Qin Mu and the other five flying thirty layers of void, saying calmly, "Shi Qiluo, go help Hong Heavenly Sovereign."
Shi Qiluo, relieved, immediately drove the Artifact Imperial Heavenly Sovereigns to attack the Heavenly Duke.
Now, Langxuan Divine Emperor was arguably the most offensively powerful among the ten Heavenly Sovereigns. Even when clashing head-on with the Heavenly Duke, he showed no weakness. Even Hong Heavenly Sovereign, who possessed the greatest magical power, was far inferior to him in offensive capability.
"Moon Heavenly Sovereign, I am your natural nemesis."
Langxuan Divine Emperor's demeanor was proud, his gaze falling on Moon Heavenly Sovereign as he said calmly, "Your spatial Dao is useless before me. With just a thought from my divine consciousness, it cannot function. You were severely injured for forty thousand years back then, and that was thanks to me."
His gaze then fell on Langhuan God King, and he said leisurely, "Langhuan Creator, your divine consciousness Dao is naturally weaker than my Primordial Beginning Dao. Going against me, I can severely wound you with the first move and take your life with the second. Submit to me, and I will make you my imperial consort."
His gaze then fell on Qin Mu and the other five, and he frowned: "Mu Heavenly Sovereign, even if you cover your face, I still recognize you. Before me, covering your face is like walking naked through a crowded market—what's the use? The five of you together barely touch the edge of Heavenly Sovereign combat power. Utterly fragile and unable to withstand a single blow!"
Tian Shu laughed in anger and said to the others, "Crude! This beast says we're walking naked through a crowded market! Damn his mouth..."
Suddenly, the Heavenly Dao trembled violently. The Heavenly Dao of the entire Mystic Capital howled and gathered, madly surging into the Heavenly Duke's body!
Qin Mu's heart sank. He felt the power of the Heavenly Dao's blessing within him also draining away frantically. The Mystic Capital's Heavenly Dao must have realized that the Heavenly Duke's situation had reached its most critical moment, withdrawing all the Heavenly Dao power covering the entire Mystic Capital to bless the Heavenly Duke!
The Heavenly Duke had reached his most dangerous moment!
The Heavenly Duke's power increased, but there was no improvement in his adaptability. In that case, even if the Heavenly Duke possessed the greatest strength, he would still die at the hands of Hong Heavenly Sovereign and the others.
This battle was likely to be lost.
Tian Shu and the others also immediately felt the power of the Heavenly Dao's blessing rapidly fading, causing their expressions to change. The reason they had been able to fight until now without being killed by the Heavenly Sovereigns was due to the blessing of the Heavenly Dao's power.
Now, having lost this power, their combat strength would decline, and their danger would greatly increase.
Just then, an extremely powerful tremor came from afar. Qin Mu opened his vertical eye on his forehead and looked in that direction, seeing the scene of Palace Heavenly Sovereign, Yan Heavenly Consort, and the Tai Chi ancient gods besieging Nether Heavenly Sovereign!
Palace Heavenly Sovereign's divine whip and horn, Yan Heavenly Consort's hairpin and the Guixu, and the Tai Chi ancient gods' Tai Chi sand table had all been deployed!
Under such an onslaught, Nether Heavenly Sovereign was in grave danger!
Qin Mu's mind went blank. Suddenly, a sweetness rose in his throat, and a mouthful of blood surged into his mouth, which he forcibly swallowed back down.
"Heavenly Duke, Nether..." His heart suddenly ached, feeling as if it were being cut with a knife.
Suddenly, from the Heavenly Duke's brow, a vast, hazy aura rose. The Heavenly Dao roared, heavenly sounds vibrated, and the heavenly bell rang!
Hong Heavenly Sovereign's expression changed drastically. Shi Qiluo and Qiang Heavenly Consort also immediately sensed the difference between the current Heavenly Duke and the one from just moments ago!
Langxuan Divine Emperor's heart shook violently as he looked toward the Heavenly Duke.
There, at the Heavenly Duke's brow, his primordial spirit slowly rose. In an instant, the consciousness of the Heavenly Dao retreated, and the Heavenly Duke's own consciousness took over his body.
And in the distance, a world-shaking sword light suddenly shot up into the sky, illuminating the billions of stars in the Mystic Capital.
The Heavenly Duke revealed a smile, and his grand voice echoed throughout the Mystic Capital.
"The vast heavenly heart makes the universe small, adding a few divine wanderings!"
In that instant, Qin Mu's face was covered with tears, and he was wild with joy.
Butcher coldly glanced at him and snorted, "Great sorrow and great joy damage the Dao heart. Mu'er, you are unworthy of being a Heavenly Sovereign!"
Despite his words, the hand gripping his heavenly blade was also trembling with excitement.
The Heavenly Duke had finally walked out of the Nine Prisons Platform and comprehended the heavenly heart. And the Kai Emperor had arrived from the Ancestral Court—how could he not be excited?