Chapter 1768: The Ancestral Court Trap (Final Month, Asking for Monthly Tickets)
Beneath the World Tree, countless prehistoric powerhouses stood guard. Wuyai Elder, having fought against the Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, and Taiyi, was severely wounded and forced to retreat into the World Tree’s main body to recuperate. He had summoned these prehistoric powerhouses, who had secretly crossed over, to protect his safety.
The World Tree, once towering and majestic, had been nearly stripped of its leaves and branches after that battle. This sacred tree no longer displayed its former grandeur, appearing rather desolate and pitiful.
Qin Mu’s folding of the Ancestral Court had also stirred things up here, causing the powerhouses beneath the World Tree to grow uneasy and uncertain.
Suddenly, Wuyai Elder’s face emerged from the tree trunk, his voice rumbling like thunder: “Seventh Young Master Qin Mu harbors sinister intentions. By folding the Ancestral Court, he intends to seal it, trapping us like cornered beasts and forcing us into battle with the Miluo Palace. Though I do not fear the Miluo Palace, a war with them would inevitably result in heavy casualties. I will split off a branch. Huang Tang, select a few capable hands, take this branch, and fly out of the Ancestral Court. Choose a place with excellent feng shui and plant it.”
The World Tree trembled, and a branch detached, falling into the hands of Huang Tang, one of the Feng Shu Three Elders.
Huang Tang accepted the branch and intended to take the other two elders with him. Wuyai Elder said, “Li Shu and Yan Xiuge must remain to guard this place. Remember, leave the Ancestral Court immediately, find a feng shui treasure land, and plant the branch. Then I will be able to sense it, our roots will connect, and the Seventh Young Master will not be able to suppress us.”
Huang Tang had no choice but to seek out other capable fighters. Fortunately, beneath the World Tree, there were plenty of existence at the Heavenly Sovereign level. He quickly found over a dozen top experts.
The group immediately left the World Tree and flew toward the heavens beyond.
Meanwhile, the Joyful Union Hall Master entered the Jade Capital City and went to the Chaotic Long River to meet the Third and Fourth Young Masters. She reported on the battle situation in the Ancestral Court, saying, “Opening Emperor Qin Ye, guided by the Seventh Young Master, has us trapped in the Jade Capital City. The Seventh Young Master is sealing the Ancestral Court, about to turn it into a cage, preventing us from leaving.”
Third Young Master Ling Xiao laughed and said, “So what? Even if he can seal it, there is still the Ultimate Void. Once you reach the Ancestral Court and entrust yourselves to the void, restoring your peak strength, all his efforts will come to nothing!”
The Joyful Union Hall Master hesitated for a moment, then said, “Opening Emperor Qin Ye said that the Seventh Young Master can seal the Ultimate Void as well.”
Third Young Master Ling Xiao frowned, pacing back and forth, pondering a way to seal the Ultimate Void.
“Perhaps there is one path: using the Guixu Abyss.”
Third Young Master Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up with inspiration, and he stopped, saying, “If he uses the Guixu Abyss to block the sky above the Ancestral Court, not only the Ultimate Void, but all other voids would cease to exist. That should be the method he is using.”
He frowned slightly.
Although he had figured out the method Qin Mu might use, he had no idea how to counter it.
At the end of the Sixteenth Era, not only did the incident of Shang Jun’s massacre occur, but another terrifying event took place: the great slaughter caused by Second Young Master Wuji!
At the end of the Sixteenth Era, Second Young Master Wuji suddenly went mad, attacking all who had achieved the Dao, even killing many Dao achievers from the Miluo Palace!
Because the situation was chaotic at the time, many did not know it was the work of the Miluo Palace’s Second Young Master Wuji, so the blame was pinned on Shang Jun, forcing him to bear the infamy.
For a time, even Dao achievers paled at the mention of Shang Jun.
Only the Miluo Palace Master noticed the change in Second Young Master Wuji and took action to suppress her in the Guixu.
This matter gradually came to light later, but only a few of the Miluo Palace’s young masters knew of it. Many hall masters were unaware, and those outside the Miluo Palace were even less likely to know the truth.
Ling Xiao was one of those in the know. He had even suspected that the Miluo Palace Master’s decline, his Dao heart dying, was related to Second Young Master Wuji’s actions.
“If Old Seven moves the Guixu to block the Ancestral Court’s Ultimate Void, then even if the Miluo Palace’s Dao achievers enter the Seventeenth Era, they cannot enter the Ultimate Void. If they do enter, they will be devoured by Wuji.”
He furrowed his brow. This was indeed a ruthless move!
Even he dared not provoke Wuji. Who knew what that madwoman might do?
“I am injured and unfit to descend. Moreover, the Ancestral Court lacks the massive energy to support my descent.”
Suddenly, his brow relaxed, and he said, “Joyful Union, leave the Ancestral Court before the seal is complete and go to the outside world to set up a blood sacrifice altar. If Old Seven wants to seal the Ancestral Court, let him. We will choose another battlefield.”
The Joyful Union Hall Master acknowledged and was about to leave when Ling Xiao thought for a moment and called her back. “Opening Emperor Qin Ye survived by making his move during the Youdu battle. How shameless of him to interfere in the battles of the younger generation! Since he has no honor, don’t blame me for being ruthless! I will give you two divine abilities, and have the Fourth Young Master give you a string from his zither. Take these three divine abilities with you when you leave and kill without mercy!”
The Joyful Union Hall Master’s heart tightened, and she bowed her head in acknowledgment.
The Third Young Master called her closer and implanted the divine abilities into her. Suddenly, his expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice, “If you cannot leave the Ancestral Court in time to set up the blood sacrifice, do you know what to do?”
The Joyful Union Hall Master lowered her head. “Please enlighten me, Young Master.”
Third Young Master Ling Xiao revealed a cruel smile. “Send Daoist Hao with the Fourth Young Master’s zither string to the World Tree. Wipe out Wuyai Elder’s followers. With that blood sacrifice energy, the Fourth Young Master and I can descend!”
The Joyful Union Hall Master shuddered, the terrifying image of the Fourth Young Master’s zither string sweeping beneath the World Tree flashing through her mind. Even though she had experienced countless battles, she felt a deep fear.
Third Young Master Ling Xiao waved his hand. “That would mean an irreconcilable conflict with Wuyai Elder. But if things come to that, we have no choice. Go quickly to see the Fourth Young Master and ask for the zither string. If you can leave the Ancestral Court, we won’t have to take that step.”
The Joyful Union Hall Master acknowledged and hurried off to see Fourth Young Master Zixiao.
After a while, she returned to the Jade Capital City to meet the Phoenix Hall Master and Heavenly Emperor Hao. She saw that Heavenly Emperor Hao had almost completed entrusting himself to the void. In his Great Luo Heaven, the Dao tree formed through the power of strength was beginning to take shape.
“Having one more Dao achiever’s combat power is good.”
The Joyful Union Hall Master recounted the Third Young Master’s plan to the two of them. “Time is of the essence. Let’s act quickly.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao was silent for a moment, then said, “Earlier, the two of you could have easily killed Qin Ye and the rebels. Now that you’ve given them time to prepare, killing them will be difficult.”
The Phoenix Hall Master laughed. “Giving them time to prepare also gives us time. In the past few days, the Zengcheng Hall Master has descended, along with several other Dao achievers. Our strength has greatly increased, and victory is within our grasp.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s heart stirred. He looked toward the Jade Capital City and saw that among the forest of Dao trees, several had suddenly become lush and vibrant. Clearly, the deaths of the Zhaoyang Hall Master and other Dao achievers had provided the Miluo Palace with enough energy to support the descent of another hall master-level existence and several Dao achievers!
Heavenly Emperor Hao breathed a sigh of relief. “This plan is indeed more reliable than what I had in mind. In that case, quickly invite the Zengcheng Hall Master and those other Daoist friends to come. We will leave the Ancestral Court together!”
He felt a vague unease and did not want to remain in the Ancestral Court.
He knew Qin Mu all too well and understood his terror. If he were trapped in the Ancestral Court by Qin Mu, he would die a miserable death!
The Joyful Union Hall Master said, “Daoist Hao, this time they will escort me out of the Ancestral Court. You have a different task.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s heart sank, and he was somewhat reluctant.
The Joyful Union Hall Master carefully drew an invisible string, guiding it up to his Great Luo Heaven and tying it to his forming Dao tree. “This string is from the Fourth Young Master’s zither. Daoist Hao should not be unfamiliar with it; you know its power. I will give you this string. You will lead it to the World Tree, pull it across the tree, and tie it to the northernmost mountain peak.”
Cold sweat broke out on Heavenly Emperor Hao’s forehead. He immediately felt a thread connecting to the past, tied to his Dao tree.
His voice hoarse, he said, “If Wuyai Elder discovers me, won’t I die without a burial place?”
“Rest assured, Wuyai Elder’s injuries are extremely severe, not much better than Taiyi’s.”
The Joyful Union Hall Master said calmly, “I have seen the Third and Fourth Young Masters. Although they are also injured, their wounds are much lighter. If Wuyai Elder discovers you, the Fourth Young Master can certainly protect your life!”
Heavenly Emperor Hao was about to speak further when the Joyful Union Hall Master reminded him, seemingly casually, “Daoist Hao, you are now tied to the zither string. You know its power better than anyone.”
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s heart tightened, and he dared not say more. “I will go.”
The Joyful Union Hall Master’s spirits lifted, and her eyes gleamed. “Then we will split into two groups. We will first break out of the Jade Capital, drawing away Qin Ye and the others. Daoist Hao, go immediately to the World Tree!”
The Zengcheng Hall Master and several Miluo Palace Dao achievers approached. The Joyful Union Hall Master and the Phoenix Hall Master shot into the sky, rushing out of the Jade Capital City and heading straight for the heavens beyond.
The Zengcheng Hall Master stood motionless in the city. Suddenly, the Zengcheng Treasure Hall flew over, shrinking smaller and smaller until it landed in his hand.
This hall master’s eyes blazed with light as he held the Zengcheng Hall and looked up.
Whoosh—
A golden ship broke through the air, heading straight for the Joyful Union and Phoenix Hall Masters. At that moment, the Zengcheng Hall Master activated his treasure hall. The hall burst with dazzling light, spinning with a roar as it shot toward the Golden Ship!
At the same time, this hall master and the five Dao achievers with him rose into the air, charging with a roar toward the Ferry World Golden Ship!
Seeing this, Heavenly Emperor Hao immediately left the Jade Capital City and sped toward the World Tree.
As he flew in the direction of the World Tree, he glanced up inadvertently and saw that the four heavenly walls of the Ancestral Court had fully formed, their tops piercing the heavens beyond.
Beyond the heavens, there was only darkness, with no stars visible.
Heavenly Emperor Hao’s eyelids suddenly twitched violently, and his body trembled uncontrollably, nearly falling from the air.
That was not a dark starry sky—it was the Guixu!
The Guixu Abyss had already been moved here by Qin Mu, hanging like a massive black hole, eerily suspended above the Ancestral Court.
Yet strangely, the Guixu Abyss emitted no fluctuations at all.
The fear on Heavenly Emperor Hao’s face grew harder and harder to conceal, terror spreading across his features. That was a trap, waiting for the Joyful Union Hall Master and the others to walk right into it!
The moment they rushed out beyond the heavens would be the moment they fell into the Guixu!
The reason the Guixu emitted no fluctuations was that someone who had cultivated the Dao of Guixu and had already achieved the Dao was blocking the entrance to the Guixu Abyss!
Heavenly Emperor Hao knew who that person was!
Beyond the heavens, at the entrance to the Guixu Abyss, Qin Mu sat within a lotus flower. Darkness completely enveloped him, and he in turn enveloped the entire abyss. He stared coldly down at the streaks of world-shaking Dao light drawing closer and closer.
————The Tale of Herding Gods is in its final month. This month, the story will conclude. Brothers and sisters, please vote for monthly tickets!! Please subscribe!!