Chapter 740: Laughing Through Tears, Nether Heavenly Lord
"Young Master Qin, Young Master Mu!"
The Nether Emperor appeared behind the young man, laughing. "And Senior Niu Ben! You've stirred up a monstrous calamity! This Jade Pool is the Empress's domain, and you've smashed it to pieces. The Empress will likely make things difficult for you. Imperial Lord Yu, these three are the Senior Brother Qin Kai and Senior Brother Mu Qing I mentioned to you earlier, along with Senior Niu Ben."
Ling Heavenly Lord now realized that Qin Mu and the others' "names" were actually false names.
Her mind was entirely absorbed in her research, making her slow to notice other matters. She had felt that Qin Mu and the Kai Emperor were kindred spirits, so she had forgotten to ask their names.
Qin Mu looked at the young man, thinking to himself, "So this is Imperial Lord Yu? The first person to open the Embryo Divine Treasury?"
Imperial Lord Yu was the one who established the divine treasury cultivation system, and he might even have been the one to pioneer the Heavenly Palace cultivation system. Opening the Embryo and even ascending the soul to the Heavenly Palace were common for later generations—of course, ascending the Heavenly Palace was still difficult, but countless deities throughout history had achieved it.
Yet for people of the ancient era, who knew nothing of cultivation, this was an achievement no less than the creation of the world!
Imperial Lord Yu's creation of the divine treasury cultivation system from scratch was absolutely worthy of the title "Imperial Lord"!
Qin Mu studied Imperial Lord Yu. The man was like jade—warm, gentle, and serene. Standing there, he resembled a tree of jade blossoms, his eyes like dewdrops, his heart full of cleverness.
Qin Mu greeted him, smiling. "I've long heard of Imperial Lord Yu's great name, but only today do I meet you in person. Truly, reputation is well-deserved."
Imperial Lord Yu replied, "Brother Mu and Brother Qin's techniques and divine arts are magnificent and grand. Your recent clash shook the Jade Pool, showing us that there are always greater heights beyond. Senior Niu Ben's extraordinary skills stunned the Heavenly Court, leaving everyone envious. Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of your esteemed names before. May I ask where you three come from?"
Qin Mu exchanged a glance with the Kai Emperor. The Kai Emperor said politely, "We come from a small place. Imperial Lord Yu's fame has spread across the world, and when we heard about this Jade Pool Gathering, we came to attend. However, we two have bad tempers and started fighting over a disagreement—a bit reckless. Please forgive us, Imperial Lord Yu."
Imperial Lord Yu smiled. "No harm done. I've already asked someone to repair this place. This isn't a good spot for conversation. Why not move to the Jade Pool Pavilion? That's the Empress's detached palace, much sturdier than here."
Ling Heavenly Lord looked reluctant to go, but Imperial Lord Yu said gently, "Ling Heavenly Lord, your palace is also destroyed, so you have nowhere to stay. Come to the Empress's palace as well."
Ling Heavenly Lord thought it over and had to nod.
Imperial Lord Yu led the way, his eyes flickering. "Brother Qin, Brother Mu, I can see that your techniques and divine arts are extraordinary, surpassing countless others. Your mastery is so high that even I cannot fully comprehend it. May I ask who your teachers are and where you come from?"
"We figured it out on our own," Qin Mu said gloomily.
The Kai Emperor laughed. "We have bad tempers and fight whenever we meet. Through fighting, our techniques and divine arts improved. Imperial Lord Yu is the true genius, pioneering the divine treasury and benefiting future generations. I admire that."
The Nether Emperor looked puzzled, thinking, "Earlier, on the back of the great whale, they seemed to meet for the first time, not knowing each other. Why does Qin Kai now say they improved through fighting? That doesn't sound like the truth."
He noticed this but didn't say anything.
Imperial Lord Yu frowned slightly, then smiled. "Since you're unwilling to say more, I won't press. Although many cultivators have come to this gathering, like fish crossing a river, only three are truly worth noticing. Ahead, across this floating bridge, is the Jade Pool Pavilion, which wasn't destroyed."
Ahead, a flying bridge spanned the air without support, floating over the sea. Many cultivators walked on it toward another island.
Qin Mu looked back. The Jade Pool Treasure Island had been battered and broken by their fight. Many demigods flew over, repairing the ruined palaces.
Imperial Lord Yu walked while gazing at the shimmering sea. In the distance, two ancient gods were pulling out a deity stuck headfirst in the sea—knocked unconscious by Old Bull and driven into the water. Some old turtles surfaced from beneath the sea, raising divine mountains and sacred peaks from the seabed, with seawater cascading down like waterfalls.
This was the damage caused by Old Bull's bullheaded temper.
"The Heavenly Emperor is broad-minded and won't hold this against you three."
Imperial Lord Yu said with a half-smile, "But the Empress might throw a little tantrum. You three need to be careful... Nether Heavenly Lord!"
He called out to a youth who was also walking toward the Jade Pool Pavilion, idly tossing runes into the sea.
Qin Mu's heart stirred. The runes this Nether Heavenly Lord threw were somewhat similar to the script of the Netherworld. When they hit the sea, they blasted several large fish to pieces.
"The one who opened the Life and Death Divine Treasury? Nether Heavenly Lord? Why does he act like a child?" he wondered.
Nether Heavenly Lord had a little topknot on his head, snot bubbles coming from his nose, and a ghost-face mask on the back of his head. The mask showed a smiling face, but beneath each eye was a streak of tears.
This Imperial Lord was different from the others Qin Mu had met earlier. He seemed somewhat withdrawn. Even when Imperial Lord Yu spoke to him, he barely responded, only glancing at Imperial Lord Yu and then at Qin Mu and the Kai Emperor before continuing to toss Netherworld runes idly.
Qin Mu studied Nether Heavenly Lord curiously. Since he had opened the Life and Death Secret Realm, it was natural that he was skilled in Netherworld runes. He was probably an expert in Netherworld techniques.
In this ancient era, mastering Netherworld techniques meant understanding life and death—a remarkable achievement.
"Nether Heavenly Lord..."
Qin Mu took out his little notebook and smiled. "Would you give me your autograph?"
Nether Heavenly Lord glanced at him, then looked at his forehead, suddenly showing some interest. "There's something strange about the eye on your forehead."
Qin Mu was startled, then laughed. "You noticed. My power is too great, so I had to seal my eye to avoid causing trouble."
Nether Heavenly Lord raised his hand, wanting to peel off the willow leaf on his forehead, but Qin Mu quickly blocked him.
Nether Heavenly Lord immediately grew unhappy. He leaped off the floating bridge. "Fine, I don't care!"
Qin Mu looked down from the bridge and saw that Nether Heavenly Lord hadn't fallen into the sea. Instead, he took out a small paper boat, which grew larger. He landed on it, and the boat drifted toward the island where the Jade Pool Pavilion stood.
"That paper boat..."
Qin Mu was stunned. Suddenly, the ghost-face mask on the back of Nether Heavenly Lord's head opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue at him.
Qin Mu jumped in surprise, but the mask just made a funny face and then went still.
"Don't mind him. Nether Heavenly Lord has always been childish."
Imperial Lord Yu said, "He lost his father very early and was raised by his mother, but she was frail and sickly, always bedridden. When I first met him, he was only about ten years old, taking care of his paralyzed mother. He told me he wanted to create a method to keep his mother from dying. A few years later, he opened the Life and Death Divine Treasury."
The Kai Emperor said, "He was a filial son, but opening the Life and Death Divine Treasury couldn't save his mother's life."
The Nether Emperor added, "I heard his mother died of illness before he opened the Life and Death Divine Treasury. Nether Heavenly Lord became even more withdrawn. Last time, he said he wanted to go to the Netherworld and see Earth Lord to snatch back his mother's soul. What audacity!"
He shook his head.
Imperial Lord Yu said, "Actually, he has already met Earth Lord."
The Nether Emperor was startled. Imperial Lord Yu continued, "When he opened the Life and Death Divine Treasury, Earth Lord came to see him. He begged Earth Lord to take back the title of Imperial Lord and not grant him immortality, only asking for his mother to live forever. But by then, his mother had already died, and her soul had entered the Netherworld. Earth Lord is just and impartial and wouldn't change the rules of the Netherworld for him. That's why he said he would one day enter the Netherworld and take back his mother's soul."
Qin Mu watched the drifting paper boat, but in his mind, he saw another figure—an old man also riding a small boat, sitting under a horse lantern.
Could he be that Heavenly Lord of Benevolence and Sagehood?
If so, how did the young Nether Heavenly Lord gradually become that Heavenly Lord?
Did he ever rescue his mother from Earth Lord?
The paper boat drifted silently, carrying a youth with a laughing-yet-crying face.
Qin Mu was lost in thought, thinking of his own mother.
Imperial Lord Yu said, "Brother Mu seems troubled."
Qin Mu forced a smile. "Seeing Nether Heavenly Lord reminded me of myself. I feel a kindred sorrow."
Imperial Lord Yu looked thoughtful, then laughed. "With Brother Mu's current abilities, you are more than worthy of being called an Imperial Lord. I plan to report to the Heavenly Emperor. Perhaps His Majesty will grant you and Brother Qin the titles of Qin Heavenly Lord and Mu Heavenly Lord. Then there will be nine Imperial Lords."
He laughed heartily.
The Nether Emperor's face darkened, a mix of disappointment and jealousy stirring within him.
The Kai Emperor shook his head. "The title of Imperial Lord is for those with great achievements. I am not worthy of it. Brother Mu and I..."
Qin Mu sneered, "Don't call me Brother Mu! I can't bear it!"
The Kai Emperor's brow twitched, and he snorted. Behind them, Old Bull coughed heavily, a clear threat.
Imperial Lord Yu noticed this and smiled inwardly. "These three are truly strange."
The Kai Emperor continued, "Although Brother Mu Qing and I have decent techniques and divine arts, we have no earth-shattering innovations. We don't deserve that title."
Imperial Lord Yu laughed heartily. "Two senior brothers, if you don't deserve it, who does? Your battle on Jade Pool Treasure Island was not just stunning—it was world-shaking! To be honest, I thought my techniques and divine arts were not bad, and that only ancient gods could surpass me. But seeing you two, I now know the vastness of heaven and earth and what true techniques and divine arts are! You are the pioneers of these arts, the only two, and you are worthy of the title of Imperial Lord!"
He laughed. "If you think you don't deserve it, then we seven Imperial Lords should all resign and retire!"
Qin Mu blinked. This Imperial Lord Yu was indeed a hero among men. Whether in speech or action, he made others feel like a spring breeze—truly a master of social grace.
Such a person was a natural leader, effortlessly earning goodwill!
Ahead, they arrived at the Jade Pool Pavilion.
Only here did Qin Mu understand what "pavilion" meant.
The palaces here were splendid and magnificent, as expected of the Empress's detached palace. But what truly stunned them was the sheer size of the buildings—unbelievably huge!
Even the pillars at the entrance were over two hundred zhang tall!
Everything here was hundreds or even thousands of times larger than ordinary things!
It was easy to imagine that the Empress living here must be a hundred times taller than a normal person!
Imperial Lord Yu said, "After the Heavenly Court Gathering, when the name of the Heavenly Court is confirmed, I will submit a memorial to the Heavenly Emperor, requesting His Majesty to grant you titles."
Qin Mu thanked him, smiling. "If I can gain the title of Imperial Lord, I will be deeply grateful to Imperial Lord Yu!"
The Kai Emperor frowned. "This Mu Qing is such a schemer!"
Old Bull coughed again, and the Kai Emperor had to restrain himself to avoid provoking the divine beast.
Imperial Lord Yu laughed heartily. "It's nothing. You deserve it. I'm just helping you secure it. To be honest, I have two goals for this Jade Pool Gathering. First, I have found a path to immortality, allowing cultivators to advance further, equal to gods, with ever-increasing power. Second..."
—The monthly votes haven't reached ten thousand yet. Nether Heavenly Lord holds up a sign begging for monthly votes, hoping to break ten thousand today!