Chapter 749: The Spark of the Heavenly Alliance
Qin Mu and the old ox stared wide-eyed, and the Kai Emperor also revealed an expression of disbelief. The three of them were speechless for a long time.
Zhu Que'er saw their expressions and felt very satisfied. She said, "This matter eventually blew up. The Empress was very displeased and made a scene. The Heavenly Emperor then abandoned his human form and returned to the Heavenly Court, and the Empress made another scene. Many people in the Heavenly Court knew about this, but no one spoke of it openly. Later, Hao Tianzun rose to prominence and was indeed very remarkable, but the Empress treated Yu Tianzun very well. Can you guess the reason behind this?"
The old ox immediately said, "The Empress wanted to take revenge on the Heavenly Emperor, so she slept with Yu Tianzun!"
The Kai Emperor and Qin Mu coughed repeatedly, their faces turning red from holding back.
"That's not quite it. She wanted to support Yu Tianzun to suppress her sister and the Heavenly Emperor's son."
Zhu Que'er thought for a moment, and her curiosity suddenly flared up. She lowered her voice and said, "But did the Empress have that kind of intention? Maybe she really did sleep with Yu Tianzun... Speaking of which, why did Hao Tianzun want to kill Yu Tianzun? Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor found out the Empress had been slept with, and he ordered Hao Tianzun to do the deed?"
Qin Mu couldn't help but interrupt her, saying, "Sister, it was the Empress's sister who used her divine power to envelop the Man Hui Corridor Pavilion, preventing Yu Tianzun from escaping or calling for help."
Zhu Que'er's eyes lit up. "Sisterly rivalry? Competing for favor? Killing the chicken to scare the monkey? What a grand drama!"
Qin Mu blinked, thinking to himself, "This sister's way of thinking seems a bit different from mine. I think the reason Hao Tianzun wanted to eliminate Yu Tianzun was because Yu Tianzun's prestige was too high. By getting rid of him, Hao Tianzun could become the leader of the demigods and the acquired tribes. Once the acquired tribes and demigods developed, he would have a chance to aspire to a higher position."
Zhu Que'er clearly hadn't thought about this aspect and was still excited about the harem struggles of the Heavenly Emperor's court, which was completely different from what Qin Mu and the others were thinking.
The Kai Emperor's expression darkened. He said, "Yu Tianzun was a hero of his generation. It's a pity he fell victim to such treachery. Whether the Heavenly Emperor was involved in this remains unknown."
Zhu Que'er dropped her previous excitement and said calmly, "If the son of the Heavenly Emperor couldn't compare to the son of a human, wouldn't that tell the world that the bloodline of the ancient gods is inferior to that of mortals?"
Qin Mu and the Kai Emperor were deeply shaken, their mouths agape.
Zhu Que'er then shed her seriousness and laughed, "Good little brothers, you can stay here at my place for now. I'll go out and see the commotion. That little vixen must be having a great time!"
Qin Mu's eyes widened as Zhu Que'er, clearly someone who relished chaos, rushed out immediately.
"This sister is even more excited than I am, and I'm the one directly involved..."
Qin Mu shook his head and said to the Kai Emperor, "Is what Sister Que'er said just now true? Did the Heavenly Emperor really order Hao Tianzun?"
The Kai Emperor shook his head. "I have never met the Heavenly Emperor, so I cannot know his character and dare not make rash speculations. However, it is indeed possible. If what the Southern Emperor said is true, then the Heavenly Emperor is playing with fire. Hao Tianzun's ambition is immense. Once the acquired races and demigods develop, the Heavenly Emperor's position may not be secure!"
Qin Mu frowned.
The old ox was startled and quickly said, "The Heavenly Emperor is immensely powerful and is Hao Tianzun's biological father. Would Hao Tianzun really have such ambitions?"
The Kai Emperor said, "In the affairs of imperial families throughout history, it is often the case that when the emperor lives too long, the crown prince becomes restless and wishes the emperor would die sooner. The Heavenly Emperor is immortal and ageless. If Hao Tianzun wants to sit on the throne, he will have to make a move against the Heavenly Emperor. Moreover, after the acquired races and demigods rise, they will demand more benefits, and at that point, Hao Tianzun will have no choice but to act."
Qin Mu's heart stirred. He said, "I was thinking about the first thing Yu Tianzun told us: that all acquired races should be able to cultivate and become equal to the gods. What would his second thing have been?"
The Kai Emperor looked at him, and their eyes met, understanding each other's thoughts.
The Kai Emperor said, "If Yu Tianzun hadn't died, it might have been possible. But since he is dead, none of the other Heavenly Venerables can match Hao Tianzun. Hao Tianzun, backed by the demigods and with followers from many other races, already has a great advantage. Coupled with being the son of the Heavenly Emperor, he is unmatched. He will become one of the three poles of the Dragon Han Era, and the strongest one at that!"
Qin Mu said, "None of the other Heavenly Venerables can match Hao Tianzun. The three poles of the Dragon Han Era—where does the third pole come from?"
The Kai Emperor shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not something we can consider or influence."
The old ox listened in confusion and ventured, "What are you two talking about? Weren't you talking about the second thing Yu Tianzun wanted to say? How did you get to the three poles of the Dragon Han Era?"
Qin Mu explained, "The second thing Yu Tianzun wanted to say was that after spreading the method of immortality, humans and other acquired races would produce more and more gods, which would eventually invite jealousy and suppression. He planned to fight for the interests of all races, and that is what we call the third pole of the Dragon Han Era."
The old ox laughed. "Why not just form a small Heavenly Court directly?"
"Who would form it?"
Qin Mu said worriedly, "In a few days, we will all return to our own eras. No one will stay, and no one can stay."
The Kai Emperor nodded. "Among the Nine Heavenly Venerables, Yu Tianzun is dead, Qin Tianzun and Mu Tianzun are missing, and the remaining Heavenly Venerables are no match for Hao Tianzun. Moreover, these Heavenly Venerables are scattered and disunited, making it difficult to form a third pole."
Qin Mu was silent for a moment, then said, "I do have a way to form a third pole. But after the three poles of the Dragon Han Era, which pole actually won?"
The Kai Emperor's heart leaped as he looked at him.
Qin Mu continued, "Was it the first pole, the Ancient God Heavenly Court? The second pole, the Demigod Heavenly Court? Or the third pole? Which pole was the Outer Heavenly Court that destroyed the Chi Ming Era and the Shang Huang Era?"
The Kai Emperor fell silent. This was the early Dragon Han Era. In the early Dragon Han years, the second and third poles had not yet appeared.
No one knew which pole would ultimately win in the immensely long years of the Dragon Han Era and become the behemoth that ruled everything.
"Focus on recovering from your injuries."
The Kai Emperor showed a smile and said, "History has its own trajectory. We are not people of this era, so we don't need to worry about so much. We just need to return to our own era and face all this without fear, without dread!"
Qin Mu nodded slightly, but thought to himself, "But we have returned to the past and have already become part of history. The third pole must be established."
A few days later, his injuries had healed. Zhu Que'er returned to the palace and excitedly told them about what she had seen at the Jade Pool.
"News has already spread."
She said excitedly, "Hao Tianzun is in a coma and still hasn't regained consciousness. The Heavenly Emperor is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation. But walls have ears. Soon, news spread that Hao Tianzun had murdered Yu Tianzun, and Yu Tianzun had come back from the dead to take revenge. The cultivators of the acquired races were in an uproar. Many conspiracies have been speculated upon, and rumors are flying everywhere."
Qin Mu blinked and asked, "Where did the news come from?"
Zhu Que'er looked a little shy and said, "I just revealed a little bit of the truth. I only said that Yu Tianzun was taking revenge on Hao Tianzun."
The Kai Emperor and the old ox couldn't help but laugh.
"Some people are even trying to pin the blame on the Heavenly Emperor, secretly saying that he orchestrated the murder! They tell it with such detail! That wasn't something I said."
Zhu Que'er beamed with joy, hopped onto her bird's nest, and swung her legs proudly in the Vermilion Bird sacred flame. She said, "But I know who said it."
The old ox asked curiously, "Sister, who said it?"
Qin Mu and the Kai Emperor exchanged strange looks and glanced at the ox.
The Kai Emperor thought to himself, "Senior Niu Ben learns fast."
"Of course, it was the Empress."
Zhu Que'er laughed. "The Empress is also a clever person. She naturally knows who made a move against Yu Tianzun. The two sisters are probably already causing a ruckus in the harem. But then, the Empress's sister said that Mu Tianzun killed Yu Tianzun and tried to murder Hao Tianzun, pinning the blame on you, little brother. But anyone with discerning eyes can see there are many tricks behind this. Many cultivators plan to leave the Heavenly Court, but the Heavenly Court is conducting thorough searches of all palaces, looking for Niu Ben, Qin Tianzun, and Mu Tianzun, and no one is allowed to leave. The cultivators are arguing endlessly, and the demigods and cultivators have started fighting again. It's quite lively."
She paced around excitedly and said, "The Heavenly Court is in chaos, a complete mess. The Golden Guard even tried to search my Vermilion Bird Palace, but I kicked them out. My celestial palace, my private chambers—how could those rough men be allowed to barge in?"
Qin Mu could imagine the scene of this female ancient god losing her temper.
"But you should also be leaving soon."
Zhu Que'er suddenly calmed down, looked at Qin Mu and the other two, and said, "I've received news that the Heavenly Emperor has asked Lord Tu Bo to examine the life divine treasures of everyone in the world, determined to find you. Since the Heavenly Emperor personally asked, Lord Tu Bo will certainly grant him this favor. You probably don't know the extent of Lord Tu Bo's power. If he wants to investigate all life, no one can escape his gaze!"
Qin Mu, the Kai Emperor, and the old ox felt a chill run down their spines.
Lord Tu Bo indeed had this ability!
The current Lord Tu Bo didn't know them yet. If he recognized them, he would definitely capture them and bring them before the Heavenly Emperor!
Suddenly, Qin Mu said, "If Lord Tu Bo is going to investigate all the beings and gods in the Heavenly Court, then it should be when darkness envelops the Heavenly Court. It's indeed time for us to leave."
The Kai Emperor and the old ox were puzzled. This was their first time traveling back in time, but Qin Mu had already experienced it once.
"Sister, can you summon Ling Tianzun?"
Qin Mu said, "I still have some matters to discuss with her."
"That's easy. I'll have someone summon her."
Zhu Que'er gave the order. Qin Mu waited for a long time until a maidservant announced outside the hall, "Your Highness, Ling Tianzun has arrived."
Ling Tianzun entered the hall and was momentarily stunned when she saw Qin Mu and the others. She had never seen Qin Mu's true face, so she didn't recognize him, but she did recognize the Kai Emperor.
Ling Tianzun stepped forward and greeted Zhu Que'er. "Greetings, Vermilion Bird Empress."
Zhu Que'er waved her hand and laughed, "You can talk here. I'll go out and take a look. Lord Tu Bo should be making his move soon."
Qin Mu's face changed, and Ling Tianzun stared at him blankly, exclaiming, "Mu Tianzun! You, you..."
Qin Mu said seriously, "Sister Ling, we are about to leave. That's why I asked you to come and witness this, so you won't lose hope."
Ling Tianzun's heart was in turmoil. "You're leaving? Going where? What about the human race? Who will be the leader? And Yu Tianzun, he's still in his coffin..."
Qin Mu showed a smile and said softly, "The world is treacherous. The human race should unite themselves, and the acquired beings should also unite themselves. Qin Kai, Niu Ben, and I cannot stay here. We can only look back at your history."
Ling Tianzun became even more lost and helpless.
Qin Mu couldn't bear it and said in a low voice, "Are you willing to join the Heavenly Alliance?"
Ling Tianzun was taken aback. "The Heavenly Alliance?"
"Join the Heavenly Alliance, attract more talented and ambitious people to join, and build your own power..."
Before Qin Mu could finish, Zhu Que'er's voice came from outside the hall. "Lord Tu Bo has made his move! The darkness is about to reach here!"
Qin Mu walked toward the hall's entrance. Ling Tianzun suddenly shouted, "I am willing!"
Qin Mu turned back, revealing a bright and sunny smile. "Then Sister Ling will be the leader of the Heavenly Alliance in the Dragon Han Era. Sister Ling, we will meet again in the future!"
He strode out of the hall. In the distance, darkness surged like a great flood, swallowing everything, about to engulf this place!
Qin Mu bowed deeply to Zhu Que'er. "Sister, your little brother is leaving. I will never forget your kindness in taking us in!"
The darkness surged forward, swallowing his figure.
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