Chapter 1515: Beating Up the Elderly
Hao Tianzun had also become incredibly ancient, seemingly barely able to stand, yet he remained spirited, with more teeth in his mouth than the other Tianzuns.
Xu Tianzun had now turned into an old woman as well, the two horns atop her head appearing withered, with little fiery power circulating within them.
As for Huo Tianzun, because of his mask, it was impossible to tell how old he had grown, but from the skin visible on his hands and neck, he too was decrepit.
"Qiang Tianfei, you are at the end of your rope!"
Huo Tianzun's voice carried a sense of vicissitude, but still gave off a feeling of righteous indignation: "Following Qin Mu will lead to no good. You've been on the same boat with him for so long; Qin Mu preserved his own youth, but did he ever help you resist the invasion of the Annihilation Calamity's aura? No!"
Xu Tianzun interjected, "He's waiting for you to weaken, to take your life! But we are different. We only need you to lead the way; we won't kill you. On the contrary, do you think Mu Tianzun will allow you to live?"
Qiang Tianfei's gaze fell on Hao Tianzun.
Hao Tianzun was old and feeble, but his voice was loud and clear, his complexion better than the others, clearly indicating that his cultivation was still the highest among them.
"Qiang Tianfei, we are the Ten Tianzuns."
Hao Tianzun smiled faintly, speaking leisurely: "The Ten Tianzuns share the same interests, bound together in spirit. Over the past million years, geniuses have emerged like countless stars in the sky, but only we ten share similar aspirations, forming an alliance and supporting each other to this day. You should be able to make a decision."
Qiang Tianfei hesitated.
At the bow of the boat, Qin Mu spoke calmly, "Tai Di, don't forget your identity. The Ten Tianzuns have now split into two major factions. Do you think either faction can tolerate you? As a being who roamed and dominated the universe for billions of years in the Primordial Era, the Tai Di who suppressed everything, are you willing to become a mere enforcer under Hao Tianzun or Tai Chu?"
Qiang Tianfei's wrinkled face flickered with uncertainty.
Qin Mu continued, "Moreover, Hao Tianzun and the others can't even save themselves. They've aged to this state, their own great paths are collapsing, their dao patterns disintegrating. They're just a pitiful bunch of old men and women. Can such old geezers be a match for me?"
His gaze passed over Qiang Tianfei, landing on Gong Tianzun, Zu Shenwang, and Xu Tianzun, and he said flatly, "You cling to Hao Tianzun only because he has the support of Tai Su Niangniang. You're using each other. But now, even Tai Su Niangniang has grown old. Tai Su can't even protect herself, let alone shield you! If I were you..."
He let out a light laugh, speaking leisurely: "Everyone, if you immediately make a move and eliminate Hao Tianzun, Huo Tianzun, and Tai Su, I can restore your youth and vitality."
On the Dao Tree, Hao Tianzun's heart tightened, and Huo Tianzun quietly stepped back two paces, putting some distance between himself and Zu Shenwang, Gong Tianzun, and the others.
Qin Mu continued, "You have no way back now. If you turn around, you won't make it to the end before you die of old age on the Chaotic Long River. Now you have only one path: surrender to me! Only by surrendering can you save your lives! And surrendering to me has only one condition!"
His gaze was fierce, sweeping across the faces of Huo Tianzun and Hao Tianzun.
Zu Shenwang frowned slightly, looking at Gong Tianzun and Xu Tianzun.
They were indeed tempted.
Suddenly, Tai Su's voice rang out, laughing: "They say I'm good at manipulating people's hearts, but it seems Mu Tianzun is also a master of manipulation. Mu Tianzun, give up your schemes. They can no longer betray Hao Tianzun. Whether it's Huo Tianzun, Gong Tianzun, or Zu Shenwang, they all once sought my help, and I healed their injuries. If they betray me, with just a thought from me, their injuries will flare up, and they'll die a violent death!"
She said this ostensibly to Qin Mu, but in reality, it was a warning to the other Tianzuns, preventing them from making any rash moves.
Qin Mu laughed heartily, "Wouldn't Qiang Tianfei suffer the same fate if she fell into your hands?"
"Mu Tianzun speaks the truth!"
Xiao Tianzun's voice came, loud and clear. Everyone followed the sound and saw a withered Dao Tree carrying several old men and women arriving together.
Yan Tianfei was a short, ancient crone, leaning on the Dao Tree with trembling legs. Shi Qiluo was a bald old man with a full white beard, his eyes deeply sunken, carrying a tattered hundred-treasure chest.
Langxuan Shenhuang and Xiao Tianzun had both grown old. Although Xiao Tianzun was elderly, he still carried the extraordinary bearing of a Heavenly Emperor. Langxuan Shenhuang had inherited the features of Tai Chu and Gong Tianzun, and despite his age, he was still majestic.
The two Taiji Ancient Gods had also aged considerably, their serpent tails coiled around the tree to keep themselves from falling off.
—The scales on these two ancient gods' serpent skins had many old, peeling patches, mottled and no longer possessing their former sacred solemnity.
Qin Mu revealed a smile, his gaze sweeping across the faces of these Tianzuns and sacred beings. Suddenly, he burst into loud laughter, pointing at the assembled Tianzuns and sacred beings, laughing so hard he couldn't straighten his back.
Everyone's expression darkened as they stared coldly at him. After a long while, when Qin Mu could no longer laugh, Xiao Tianzun asked, "What is Mu Tianzun laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at the Ten Tianzuns."
Qin Mu straightened up, wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and laughed, "I'm laughing that you're all one family. Xiao Tianzun is Tai Chu Tiandi, and gathered here are his illegitimate child, along with the first wife and the second wife."
Shi Qiluo, with his white hair, shot him a glare and said indignantly, "Mu Tianzun, stop your nonsense! That's my brother-in-law. I'm not my brother-in-law's second wife. I'm my brother-in-law's sister-in-law. My brother-in-law likes his sister-in-law."
Yan Tianfei snorted but remained silent.
Qin Mu leaned on the bow of the boat, laughing, "And these Taiji Ancient Gods, they were also born from eggs like Tai Chu, so they're like siblings. And on this side, Hao Tianzun is Tai Chu Tiandi's illegitimate son, who set up his own faction, gathering four Tianzuns. Among those four Tianzuns is Gong Tianzun, who is Tai Chu's mistress and also Langxuan Shenhuang's mother."
He laughed again, nearly doubling over and losing his balance: "And Tai Su is Tai Chu's sister! Apart from the father-killing scoundrel Zu Shenwang, the justice-obsessed Huo Tianzun, and the would-be father-killer Xu Tianzun, the Ten Tianzuns are all your family! From the Long Han Era to the present, the transfer of power has never escaped the grasp of your family!"
Everyone's face darkened.
Qiang Tianfei said flatly, "I was still Tai Chu's godfather. Tai Chu seized power from me."
"So, from the Primordial Era to the present, power has always been circulating within your family."
Qin Mu straightened up, his smile fading, and said flatly, "In my view, this era should come to an end."
He slowly drew the Calamity Sword, transitioning from his earlier unrestrained demeanor to a solemn expression, his mood shifting calmly. He said leisurely, "Gentlemen, the era of the Heavenly Emperor's family ruling this universe is over. You are old."
His gaze swept across the faces of each Tianzun, a mocking expression appearing on his face: "You are truly old, decayed. Not just because the Annihilation Calamity has aged and decayed you, but because you have grown old and decayed within the power itself."
He gently flicked the sword, staring at the humming blade: "And I am still very young. As one side wanes and the other waxes, you are no longer my match."
"Presumptuous!"
Suddenly, the two Dao Trees moved, speeding toward the small boat!
The strength of the nine Tianzuns was immense. Even though they had been invaded by the Annihilation Calamity's aura along the way, even though they had aged to this extent, they were still Tianzuns, still possessing boundless combat power!
Qin Mu's gaze was extremely calm. The small boat beneath him suddenly accelerated, speeding away without directly confronting the Tianzuns on the two Dao Trees.
The surface of the Chaotic Long River was no place for battle.
Fighting here was too dangerous; a single misstep could send one into the water, turning them into calamity ash from the Annihilation Calamity.
Although he was confident he could fight these Tianzuns, he wouldn't put himself in such danger.
On the Chaotic Long River, two Dao Trees and a small boat raced through the waves, piercing through layers of chaotic qi, their speed increasing.
At the stern of the boat, Qiang Tianfei, old and decrepit, grabbed two God-Slaying Mysterious Blades. She gritted her teeth, and another tooth broke off, which she swallowed back down. She thought to herself, "How should I handle this battle? Should I fight that Qin fellow to the death and seize his strange tree, or should I join forces with him against the nine Tianzuns?"
She was at a loss. If she sided with Hao Tianzun, Gong Tianzun wouldn't tolerate her, and Hao Tianzun would surely demand her submission. The great Tai Di, who had once roamed the world, could only be above others, never below!
She couldn't side with Xiao Tianzun either; Xiao Tianzun would be the first to reject her!
She knew Qin Mu very well. Now, her usefulness to him was dwindling. If Qin Mu made it to the shore, he might very well eliminate her first!
To save Ling Tianzun and Yun Tianzun, Qin Mu would have to get rid of her first!
Just as she was hesitating, the small boat suddenly gave a slight lurch and reached the opposite shore. The boat rushed onto the land, then lifted Qiang Tianfei up, transforming into a walking stick that Qin Mu carried on his back.
Qiang Tianfei's face flickered with uncertainty as she watched the two Dao Trees charging toward the shore, carrying the Tianzuns and sacred beings. Suddenly, the two God-Slaying Mysterious Blades howled into the air, slashing toward Xiao Tianzun on the nearest Dao Tree. She shouted harshly, "Mu Tianzun, I'll hold off Xiao Tianzun! You take care of the rest!"
As she spoke, she exerted force with her arms, but the two streams of killing intent aimed at Xiao Tianzun reversed direction, one left and one right, slashing toward Qin Mu's head!
But Qin Mu seemed to have anticipated her attack on him. Two flashes of sword light rang out with two crisp clangs, and the two God-Slaying Mysterious Blades were severed by the sword light!
Qiang Tianfei was startled. The God-Slaying Mysterious Blades had also been corroded by the Annihilation Calamity and were no longer as formidable as before.
The broken blades in her hand twisted like dragons, about to reconnect, when suddenly Qin Mu was already upon her. Sword light flickered in his hand, and with a single move, he unleashed the Calamity-Breaking Sword. The sword light shot forward like a rainbow!
Qiang Tianfei roared, and behind her, a series of decaying heavenly palaces flew out, forming a heavenly court. Her powerful divine consciousness erupted, striking Qin Mu. At the same time, the two streams of killing-intent divine blades in her hands reconnected, combining into a long whip that danced through the air, coiling toward Qin Mu!
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
A dense series of sounds rang out. The two God-Slaying Mysterious Blades shattered inch by inch under the sword light. Then, the rainbow-like sword light broke through Qiang Tianfei's divine consciousness. As the sword light surged, one hall after another in Qiang Tianfei's heavenly court was swept flat!
The sword light shot from one end of the heavenly court to the other, sweeping away everything in its path like a whirlwind!
Shiiing—
The rainbow-like sword light burst out from the other end of Qiang Tianfei's heavenly court, charging toward Xiao Tianzun. Xiao Tianzun snorted coldly, and Langxuan Shenhuang beside him immediately stepped forward, pointing a divine energy finger to meet Qin Mu's sword light.
In his vision, he saw his finger being neatly sliced open by this sword light. The first segment of his index finger split in two, flying to both sides, followed by the second segment, then the third!
At the same time, Qin Mu had already arrived in front of Qiang Tianfei. He raised the Calamity Sword vertically and thrust the hilt forward heavily, smashing it into Qiang Tianfei's old face.
Qiang Tianfei's face twisted, and one tooth after another flew out of her mouth. Her body spun as she was sent crashing toward the Chaotic Long River.
Just as she was about to fall into the water, she suddenly flipped her hand, and a piece of Dao Tree stump appeared beneath her. Qiang Tianfei stood on the stump, cackling, "Mu Tianzun, thanks for the send-off! I can cross the three rivers below on my own!"
With no teeth left in her mouth, her speech was slurred and unclear.
Qin Mu sheathed his sword and said indifferently, "Tai Di, you're going the wrong way."
Qiang Tianfei was startled. She turned around and saw herself caught between the two Dao Trees. The trees carried her to the shore, and the nine Tianzuns and three ancient gods stepped down from the trees, setting foot on solid ground.
Qiang Tianfei had no choice but to go ashore, furious in her heart: "It's not that I went the wrong way, but that strike sent me in the opposite direction! This brat is forcing me to be his enemy!"
"Everyone, I have been taught since childhood by the Nine Elders of the Crippled Elderly Village, and the family discipline is strict. The Nine Elders taught me to respect the elderly and love the young."
Qin Mu lightly flicked his right wrist, twirling the sword into a flower, and held the Calamity Sword behind his back. He raised his left hand, smiling, "But today, I have no choice but to beat up some elderly people. Ten Tianzuns, three ancient gods, please."
He lifted his foot and stomped heavily. With a thunderous roar, his divine storage domain expanded rapidly, enveloping all thirteen Tianzuns and sacred beings within his divine storage domain!