Chapter 1637: You Might Die
Shang Pingyin’s hands and feet turned ice-cold. The spiritual energy teleportation bridges had suddenly been severed. Clearly, this was not an attack from Heaven’s Court’s side. Yan Kang did not have such audacity, nor did anyone possess the ability to cause chaos within Heaven’s Court.
Yan Kang had struck from the other end of the bridge.
Spiritual energy teleportation bridges required two altars to establish a channel for convenient travel.
With these bridges broken, even a being at the Imperial Throne realm would need three to five years to travel to other celestial realms. If they were heading to the Four Extremes Heavens, the time required would be even longer.
Of course, traveling from the Mystic Capital to the myriad celestial realms would take less time, but journeying from the Ancestral Court to the Mystic Capital was also extremely time-consuming!
Yan Kang had clearly been planning this for a long time. Heaven’s Court’s spiritual energy teleportation bridges connected the myriad celestial realms, and there were many of them. For so many bridges to be severed simultaneously, a plan must have been devised, with a coordinated time agreed upon!
“With the spiritual energy teleportation bridges broken, even if Heaven’s Court can dispatch a large number of gods and demons to fly to the myriad celestial realms in a short time and rebuild the bridges, it will take thirty to fifty years, or even a century, to complete them!”
Cold sweat broke out on Shang Pingyin’s forehead as he rushed toward the Lingxiao Throne Hall, his mind buzzing. “And with the Heavenly Currency spiraling out of control, the myriad celestial realms will lose Heaven’s Court’s deterrence. In thirty to fifty years, they could rebel several times over!”
Losing contact with the myriad celestial realms was the most terrifying thing. Heaven’s Court was too reliant on the spiritual energy teleportation bridges. Without them, it instantly lost control over the myriad celestial realms.
The Heavenly Currency would likely become worthless!
If the Heavenly Currency became worthless, there was only one outcome: chaos across the celestial realms!
The turmoil in the myriad celestial realms was already difficult to suppress. Without the spiritual energy teleportation bridges, it would surely erupt like a volcano, spewing out the people’s anger!
Without the replenishment of gods and demons from the myriad celestial realms, Heaven’s Court’s campaign against Yan Kang would turn into a war of attrition, where every god or demon lost would be one less.
More critically, there were the resources!
Heaven’s Court’s resources came from the myriad celestial realms and Yan Kang, with Yan Kang supplying the majority of Heaven’s Court’s divine weapons!
“Why is all of this erupting at once?”
Shang Pingyin practically charged into the Lingxiao Throne Hall, only to see that the Heavenly Emperor Hao had already taken the court. Many ministers had also arrived. The severing of the spiritual energy teleportation bridges was a matter of great importance, drawing them in.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao’s face was dark. Shang Pingyin hesitated for a moment, suppressing the matter of the Heavenly Currency’s rampant inflation. He thought to himself, “If I mention the collapse of the Heavenly Currency system, I’ll be courting disaster and be the first to suffer. With the bridges broken, the collapse of the Heavenly Currency is less important. I’d better keep this hidden… Meng Yungui!”
He spotted Meng Yungui among the officials, and his heart jolted. His gaze involuntarily fell on him.
Various thoughts raced through Shang Pingyin’s mind: “He proposed increasing the issuance of Heavenly Currency. Did he foresee that Yan Kang would also be spreading Heavenly Currency into the myriad celestial realms? This kid is of the human race; maybe he’s already joined forces with Celestial Venerable Mu! But his mathematical equations had no errors; he just lacked the data on Yan Kang’s Heavenly Currency flow. Besides, I stole the credit for increasing the issuance, so it has nothing to do with him…”
Meng Yungui seemed to sense his gaze and turned to look at him. Their eyes met, and Shang Pingyin shivered. Meng Yungui’s face was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any emotion, as deep and dark as the Abyss of Return to Nothingness.
Shang Pingyin took a long breath. The devaluation of the Heavenly Currency and the severing of the spiritual energy teleportation bridges had occurred simultaneously. He could take this opportunity to conceal the matter.
If he exposed it, Meng Yungui could shift the blame, and the Heavenly Emperor Hao would have no reason to punish him. Meanwhile, Shang Pingyin himself would face punishment, and the severity of his crime might even land him on the Execution God Platform!
Shang Pingyin took another deep breath to steady himself, averted his gaze from Meng Yungui’s, and acted as if nothing had happened.
Meng Yungui also withdrew his gaze, lowering his head without a word.
“Supervisory Heavenly Court, transmit my order. Command Ancestral God King to instruct the various Solar Guardians to go to the myriad celestial realms and repair the spiritual energy teleportation bridges.”
The Heavenly Emperor Hao issued the order, his voice still steady. “Let Ancestral God King reassure the rulers of the myriad celestial realms. Heaven’s Court still stands, and I am still here. Let them govern my domain well. After the bridges are rebuilt, I will reward them generously.”
The celestial official of the Supervisory Heavenly Court hesitated for a moment, then braced himself and stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty, all of Heaven’s Court’s spiritual energy teleportation bridges were built by Zaofu Heavenly Palace and entrusted to Yan Kang. Heaven’s Court’s own construction yards lack the capability to repair the bridges in the myriad celestial realms. Even if the Solar Guardians reach those realms, they won’t be able to fix them…”
Before he could finish, thunder and lightning crackled in the court, and the official quickly shut his mouth.
“Are you saying that Heaven’s Court cannot even build its own spiritual energy teleportation bridges?”
The Heavenly Emperor Hao’s face darkened as he said coldly, “What has Zaofu Heavenly Palace been doing? What has my Heaven’s Court construction yard been doing?”
No one in the court dared to speak.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao’s chest heaved violently. He snorted in anger, then softened his tone and said, “In that case, order Ancestral God King to instruct the Solar Guardians to bring down heavenly calamities on any celestial realm that rebels. Also, order Ancestral God King to bring down heavenly calamities on Yan Kang!”
His face darkened as he continued coldly, “Order the ghosts and spirits to enter the Netherworld and inform Void Celestial Venerable. Annihilate every human and beast in Yan Kang—leave none alive! Annihilate every human and beast in Carefree Village—leave none alive!”
He suddenly stood up, his tone icy: “Celestial Venerable Mu dares to cause trouble for me? Then I will kill everyone you care about!”
The Supervisory Heavenly Court immediately went to Heaven’s Court’s altar, burned incense, and prayed to inform Ancestral God King. Meanwhile, the ghosts and spirits of Heaven’s Court entered the Netherworld to notify Void Celestial Venerable.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao sat back down, looked around, and said solemnly, “Also, inform the Four Emperors to mobilize their troops and head to the Origin Realm. The Four Heavenly Masters, each of you will lead your own forces. The Seven Dukes, Four Chancellors, Three Masters, Two Advisors, and Five Imperial Thrones, each will command their subordinates to campaign against the Origin Realm. Use the Origin Realm as a stronghold to deal with the chaos in the myriad celestial realms. I will personally mobilize the Ten Guards of Heaven’s Court and lead the campaign against the Origin Realm!”
The Four Heavenly Masters frowned.
Shang Pingyin hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I believe the Origin Realm is fixed and cannot be moved, but the Four Extremes Heavens are the greater threat. If we campaign against the Origin Realm, we should first pacify the Four Extremes Heavens. If the Northern Emperor Black Tortoise and the Western Emperor White Tiger join forces with the rebels of the Origin Realm, that would be a real headache.”
Meng Yungui stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, Heavenly Master Shang speaks the truth.”
Shang Pingyin glanced at him, and Meng Yungui said seriously, “Yan Kang may have few survivors after Void Celestial Venerable and Ancestral God King bring down calamities and disasters. But if the Four Extremes Heavens fall into chaos, and the Northern Emperor and Western Emperor take advantage of Heaven’s Court’s emptiness to launch a direct attack on Heaven’s Court, that would be a grave threat to our heartland! If Heaven’s Court changes hands, morale…”
The Heavenly Emperor Hao snorted and raised an eyebrow, saying coldly, “How could the old thief Mu be dealt with by the likes of Void and Ancestral? Void Celestial Venerable and Ancestral God King cannot defeat him, and they probably won’t be able to destroy Yan Kang quickly! Therefore, dealing with the Origin Realm’s Yan Kang and Carefree Village is the top priority!”
Meng Yungui argued, “Your Majesty, please reconsider! Your Majesty, conquering the Four Extremes Heavens first is the safest course of action!”
Shang Pingyin opened his mouth to refute him, but what Meng Yungui said was also what he wanted to say, leaving him unable to argue.
Bai Yuqiong stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, Heavenly Master Meng speaks the truth. Your Majesty, please reconsider.”
The Fourth Heavenly Master, Zhu Shaoping, stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, please reconsider! At this moment, the priority should be to stabilize Heaven’s Court’s territory, which is the Ancestral Court. With the Ancestral Court secure, legitimacy remains. The Ancestral Court is immensely wealthy. Your Majesty, we should first secure the Ancestral Court, uproot the old thief Mu’s foundation there, capture all the Yan Kang people in the Black Mountain Sacred Land, and use them to threaten the thief Mu!”
Shang Pingyin also said, “Your Majesty, the three Heavenly Masters speak with reason. Your Majesty should first secure the Ancestral Court, allowing for both offense and defense. Then pacify the Four Extremes Heavens, and from there, launch troops to form an encirclement of the Origin Realm. With such overwhelming momentum, the Origin Realm can be pacified with a wave of the hand!”
Meng Yungui said, “Your Majesty, the old thief Mu’s weakness is Yan Kang. The population of the Black Mountain Sacred Land is large and valuable. Using them to threaten the thief Mu is the best course of action.”
The Heavenly Emperor Hao snorted coldly and said lightly, “Before the old thief Mu entered the palace, he stayed in the Ancestral Court for over ten days. What do you think he was doing?”
He sneered, “That thief was relocating the Black Mountain Sacred Land! By now, the Black Mountain Sacred Land is empty!”
The Four Heavenly Masters were startled.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao walked out of the Lingxiao Throne Hall and looked down at the Ancestral Court below. In the distance, the World Tree was lush and verdant, its canopy blotting out the sky and covering the sun.
That was the Black Mountain Sacred Land, but now the World Tree had grown so fast that it completely obscured the original Black Mountain, hiding its former desolation.
Outside the Lingxiao Throne Hall, a group of divine generals adjusted Heaven’s Court’s Celestial Surveillance Mirrors, shining their light toward the Black Mountain Sacred Land.
After a moment, the light from countless mirrors formed a large circle in the sky, as clear as a lake, reflecting the detailed situation of the Black Mountain Sacred Land.
In the image, divine cities filled the Black Mountain Sacred Land, crowded with Yan Kang’s people, bustling with activity and thriving commerce. The construction yards there were also in production, with airships sailing through the sky. Even cultivators could be seen helping the people plant crops and summon rain.
The ministers in the court discussed among themselves. From the image reflected by the Celestial Surveillance Mirrors, the Yan Kang people in the Black Mountain Sacred Land were still there, not moved away by Qin Mu.
“All illusions!”
The Heavenly Emperor Hao pointed a finger toward the Black Mountain Sacred Land and sneered, “The old thief Mu stayed in the Black Mountain for over ten days to create these illusions with his divine consciousness, while he took the opportunity to move everyone out of the Black Mountain!”
After a moment, the power of his finger reached the Black Mountain. The court officials looked into the mirrors and saw a violent wave spreading from the center of the Black Mountain Sacred Land. Wherever it passed, the previously thriving Black Mountain Sacred Land instantly rippled like a reflection in water or a flower in a mirror, then disappeared.
In an instant, the Black Mountain Sacred Land was empty, with no one to be seen.
“The thief Mu is formidable!” The faces of Heaven’s Court’s upper echelons changed simultaneously.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao sneered, “Pacifying the Four Extremes Heavens will only give the old thief Mu time. What this old thief lacks is time! Four Heavenly Masters, what you say is indeed very reasonable. Pacifying the Four Extremes Heavens and encircling the Origin Realm is a proper strategy, but against the old thief Mu, we cannot use such a straightforward approach! Pacifying the Four Extremes Heavens would give him another twenty years to catch his breath! Who knows what will happen in those twenty years? Transmit my order!”
He flicked his sleeve, and his voice echoed through Heaven’s Court: “Mobilize the entire army and campaign against the Origin Realm!”
“As you command!” The civil and military officials all bowed.
Outside the Origin Realm, Qin Mu strolled leisurely. He had returned from the Ancestral Court, not using the spiritual energy teleportation bridges but traveling on foot, taking several months to get here from the Ancestral Court.
The reason he traveled on foot was that he was bringing countless Yan Kang people from the Black Mountain Sacred Land. He had almost emptied the Black Mountain Sacred Land, and taking these people through the spiritual energy teleportation bridges would surely exceed their limits.
Thus, walking was the safest option.
He had these people live in his divine storage universe. They could endure for a few months, but any longer would be unsustainable, likely leading to mass deaths.
Fortunately, he was proficient in Moon Celestial Venerable’s Ultimate Void Sutra, allowing him to travel quickly.
Ahead was the Origin Realm. He breathed a slight sigh of relief. Suddenly, the celestial phenomena changed drastically. One by one, the stars faded, and the starry sky fell into complete darkness.
Qin Mu stopped and smiled, “Ancestral God King, or the Supreme Emperor?”
He thought for a moment and smiled, “It should be the Supreme Emperor. Sending Ancestral God King to deal with me would just be sending him to his death. Only the Supreme Emperor has the skill to face me. Tai Chu, show yourself.”
The starry sky lit up, with dazzling divine light coming from the deepest part of the void. A vast Great Luo Heaven appeared, with lush Dao trees and dazzling Dao flowers.
In the dazzling light, a tall and extraordinary figure emerged from the divine light, becoming clearer and clearer.
“Celestial Venerable Mu, you don’t seem like someone who has lost all Dao heart.”
Tai Chu was surprised and said gently with a smile, “Hao has fallen for your trap, giving you these years to catch your breath. But he is also exceptionally decisive. After you signed the treaty, he immediately sent me to kill you.”
“Tai Chu, how do you know his goal isn’t to use my hand to get rid of you?”
Qin Mu said with a half-smile, “You are old, your edge is completely gone, and you can’t fight anymore. From the moment you died for the first time, you lost the sharpness of a founding emperor. If you fight me, you might die.”
—The cold hasn’t gotten better yet, seeking comfort, wuwuwu~~~