Chapter 928: The Real and Fake Mu Tianzun
The purpose of the Tian Alliance's founding was to overthrow the rule of the ancient gods, to overthrow "Heaven," and in the Longhan Era, "Heaven" referred to the ancient gods.
At that time, Yun Tianzun, as the leader of the Tian Alliance, had to unite all forces. Whether demigods or post-natal beings, anyone with the ambition to overthrow the ancient gods could join the Tian Alliance.
After they eliminated the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, the Tian Alliance's power grew ever larger. Finally, one day Yun Tianzun realized that while they had overthrown "Heaven," they had also become "Heaven" themselves.
However, by this time, he was powerless to change the Tian Alliance. He had become an obstacle to the Alliance's rule over the world.
Knowing he was doomed to die, he formulated a plan for the future, a plan to be implemented through the hands of the Dao Ancestor.
"Yun Tianzun's idea was to use the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor to split the Tian Alliance. If necessary, he could even expose the Heavenly Emperor. This would force the Tian Alliance to temporarily abandon its suppression of the lower realms and throw itself into the battle to destroy the Heavenly Emperor."
The Dao Ancestor continued, "This would buy time for the lower realms to develop."
Qin Mu's heart shook violently.
Yun Tianzun's thinking was indeed extremely far-reaching!
The Tian Alliance could never allow the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor to be resurrected. Only with the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor dead would they have no rivals. If the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor were to be reborn, all their efforts would be in vain.
This was because any ancient god had its shortcomings, its weaknesses, and had to act according to the rules of its Great Dao. The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was different.
He was not bound by the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.
Such a Heavenly Emperor was the most terrifying.
If they knew that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was not truly dead, that his soul had reincarnated and infiltrated their ranks among the Ten Tianzuns, the alliance they had formed would immediately shatter and collapse.
If they knew who the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was, they would set aside all their grudges and work together to eliminate him.
"Then, when the Yankang Calamity broke out, why didn't the Dao Ancestor reveal who the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was?" Qin Mu asked.
His heart was heavy. The Yankang Calamity had killed so many people. It was also his most powerless moment, his most devastating blow. He had almost been unable to recover, but for the sake of those who survived, he had lived on and forged a completely new path.
But if the Dao Ancestor had revealed who the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was at that time, redirecting the disaster towards him, perhaps the Yankang Calamity would never have happened.
The Dao Ancestor shook his head. "It wasn't the right time."
Qin Mu's voice was hoarse. "Not the right time? When will it be the right time? How many people have to die for it to be the right time?"
The Dao Ancestor's gaze was deep. "When the Kaicheng Calamity broke out, I also did not reveal the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor. The Yankang Calamity was also not the time. The key issue is that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's strength was insufficient to contend with the Tian Alliance as it was then. One against nine, he couldn't hold out. After he died, the lower realms had no strength or means to resist the Tian Alliance. Post-natal beings must have enough power to contend with the Tian Alliance, and the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor must also have enough power to tear the Tian Alliance apart. That will be the best time."
His expression was indifferent. "As the Sword Bearer of Yun Tianzun's plan, I must be absolutely rational and wait for this opportunity to arrive. Until then, no matter how many people die, I must continue to wait."
Qin Mu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Which Tianzun is the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor?"
"Mu Tianzun, I will not tell you."
The Dao Ancestor said calmly, "You are not suited to be the Sword Bearer of Yun Tianzun's plan. You are too impulsive, often revealing your hand out of momentary passion. I am not like that. I can ignore the lives of billions. You are a Tianzun revered by tens of thousands. A Tianzun does not need to bear such infamy and sin. This kind of sin and infamy must be borne by the Sword Bearer of Yun Tianzun's plan."
A smile appeared on his old face. "I have been preparing for five hundred thousand years. Mu Tianzun, don't try to steal my credit."
Qin Mu bowed deeply to the ground. The Dao Ancestor quickly returned the bow.
"I, Qin Mu, am just a reckless man, an unknown nobody. By a stroke of luck, I traveled back to the early Longhan Era and was fortunate enough to witness the sages and predecessors of that time, and became a Tianzun by chance. However, I have the name of a Tianzun but have done nothing substantial before returning to the present."
Qin Mu sighed. "It is you who have struggled, sacrificed, and bled for this. I am not worthy of being a Tianzun. You are the ones who deserve it."
The Dao Ancestor said, "By passing down the method of becoming a god and letting the world know that there is a realm called the Heavenly Court, this single act alone makes you worthy of the title of Tianzun. Moreover, what you have done as a Tianzun goes far beyond that. Mu Tianzun, perhaps it is time for you to leave the Heavenly Court."
Qin Mu was startled, not understanding his meaning.
The Dao Ancestor said, "Hao Tianzun came to visit me and asked about one thing: whether he could use the Creation Divine Artifact of the Zaofu Heavenly Palace to create a Mu Tianzun. He wanted me to create a Mu Tianzun. On the night of the Jade Pool incident, I also went to the Jade Pool and observed Mu Tianzun for a long time. Not long ago, I gave him the design for Mu Tianzun."
Qin Mu was dumbfounded. "Dao Ancestor, you... you..."
The Dao Ancestor said calmly, "Even if I didn't give him the design for Mu Tianzun, he would find other experts in numerology to create one. So I gave it to him. After Hao Tianzun uses the Creation Divine Artifact to create a new Mu Tianzun, he will take the opportunity to execute you and replace you with the one he created. He will have his revenge, and he can also use your prestige to do many things."
Qin Mu's eyes widened, and he slowly let out a turbid breath.
The Dao Ancestor said, "So, the Heavenly Court has many ways to deal with you. Hao Tianzun may seem reckless, but he is actually deeply calculating. He was also involved in the Jade Pool incident that night, but his goal was not to kill you. He was just putting on a show to see how many people in the Heavenly Court opposed him. He has achieved his goal, and I have also recorded your physical data to create an obedient Mu Tianzun."
Qin Mu's heart shook violently. The Hao Tianzun described by the Dao Ancestor was almost a completely different person from the one in people's impressions!
"So you should leave the Heavenly Court."
The Dao Ancestor said, "I can send you back to the lower realms."
Qin Mu steadied himself and shook his head. "The Heavenly Court is not yet in chaos. How can I go back? If I suddenly disappear after coming to your place, anyone with discerning eyes will know that you sent me away. I cannot implicate you."
He smiled. "It's not that easy for Hao Tianzun to kill me. I also have one more question for the Dao Ancestor. Do you know how to get to the Tai Xu?"
The Dao Ancestor shook his head. "Don't cause trouble. You should leave the Heavenly Court as soon as possible."
Yan'er and the Dragon Qilin were outside the small temple, chatting with the two toads. These two toads were naturally lazy. When talking to them, their eyes would sink into their skulls, becoming flat and smooth. Only when Yan'er took out spirit pills to tempt them would their eyes pop out from their heads.
"These two toads must be delicious," Qi Jiuyi said with a laugh.
Suddenly, the two toads popped out their eyes and glanced at him. Qi Jiuyi felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. All the scenes before him disappeared, leaving only four huge eyes surrounding him.
Qin Mu walked out of the small temple and looked at the stiff-bodied Qi Jiuyi with some surprise. Only then did the strange vision before Qi Jiuyi's eyes disappear.
He couldn't help but shiver several times, a hint of fear in his eyes. The skill of these two toads was so high that he was far outmatched.
The Heavenly Court's Dao Lord saw them off, sending them out of the Yuqing Heavenly Palace.
Qin Mu pondered for a moment and then said to Yun Chuxiu, "I heard that the Heavenly Court has a Zaofu Heavenly Palace with a Creation Divine Artifact inside. Good little sister, can you take me to see it? I plan to borrow the Zaofu Heavenly Palace to build a few Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridges to facilitate travel between the Heavenly Court and the lower realms."
Yun Chuxiu rolled her eyes at him, chuckled, and said, "Calling me 'good little sister'..."
Qi Jiuyi and Yun Jianli were horrified, staring at these two in terror. This woman was either the Empress Dowager or Yuanmu Furen, and Qin Mu actually dared to call her "good little sister."
"This Mu Tianzun from the lower realms, does he know how many ways there are to write the character for 'death'?"
Yun Jianli's heart pounded. "That's right, I also once called Yun Chuxiu 'little sister.' I don't know how to live either... I need to get down to the lower realms quickly!"
"Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge?"
Yun Chuxiu asked curiously, "To facilitate travel between the lower realms and the Heavenly Court? Tianzun, aren't you afraid that the gods and demons of the Heavenly Court will go down to the lower realms and ruin the people of Yankang?"
Qin Mu said seriously, "Yankang has already submitted to the Heavenly Court and is a subordinate of the Heavenly Court, loyal to it. Good little sister, the Heavenly Court will not deal with loyal ministers and righteous men!"
"I'll believe you when I see it!"
Yun Chuxiu chuckled, her eyes rolling. She then said seriously, "Give me the design for the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge. I will help you build a few. Breaking through the world barrier between the Heavenly Court and the lower realms is a major matter. You haven't established yourself in the Heavenly Court yet, so you can't make this decision. It needs the nod of a Tianzun."
Qin Mu took out all the designs for the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge and handed them to her. The designs were piled up like a mountain, an enormous number. Yun Chuxiu pulled out a few sheets, looked at the numerological runes on them, and frowned deeply. Seeing so many designs, she felt flustered and said, "This matter should be handed over to the Dao Sect. Let the Dao Sect take the designs to the Zaofu Heavenly Palace and build a few Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridges... Brother, Tianzun, Ninth Brother, I'll take my leave first!"
She took the designs and sped away, returning to the Yuqing Heavenly Palace. She thought to herself, "This Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge is very useful. It can connect the Heavenly Court with other heavens, not just the Yuan Realm. If I can build this kind of Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge, I can rule over even more heavenly worlds..."
Qin Mu, Qi Jiuyi, and Yun Jianli walked towards the Jade Pool. Yun Jianli was suspicious and, after enduring for a long time, finally asked, "Tianzun, why did you give the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge to Yun Chuxiu? This kind of bridge has a huge effect. If it connects the Heavenly Court and the Yuan Realm, the gods of the Heavenly Court can descend to the lower realms whenever they want, giving the Yuan Realm no chance to react! The Heavenly Court's rule will only become more stable!"
Qin Mu nodded and smiled, "Yankang is now just a small vassal state under the Heavenly Court. It's not rebelling, so what is there to fear?"
Yun Jianli's doubts deepened. "I don't believe you are so foolish as to not understand the function of the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge. What exactly are you planning?"
Qin Mu did not answer. He smiled and said, "With the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge, you can also go down to the lower realms. You don't have to stay in the Heavenly Court."
He had set the future strategy for Yankang, breaking the eight prohibitions that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor had set against Yankang's reforms. The most crucial one was to let Yankang develop its casting industry and forge divine weapons and tools for the Heavenly Court.
To achieve this, the trade route had to be opened.
Transporting goods from Yankang to the Heavenly Court, even with a ship as fast as the Phoenix Ship, took a whole year for a round trip. If other ordinary ships were used, a round trip might take a hundred years.
The Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridge could open the trade route, greatly shortening the time for trade between Yankang and the Heavenly Court. This would also greatly shorten the path for Yankang to revitalize the country through casting.
If the Spirit Energy Symmetry Bridges spread across the myriad heavens, trade would flourish, the myriad heavens would be economically crushed by Yankang, and the time for them to rebel would be greatly advanced!
However, he could not build these bridges himself. If he proposed it, it would arouse the suspicion of other Tianzuns. The simplest and most effective way was to hand it over to the Empress Dowager and let her build them.
After the Empress Dowager built them, other Tianzuns, seeking profit, would also build them, thereby connecting the myriad heavens and achieving his goal!
Before they reached the Jade Pool, a god suddenly blocked their path, bowed, and said, "Mu Tianzun, Hao Tianzun invites you to a banquet at the Haotian Palace."
Qin Mu's heart skipped a beat. He sneered, "I have a grudge against him. His banquet is definitely no good! I'm not going!"
The god was stunned.
Qin Mu hurried away. Yan'er, perched on his shoulder, saw fine goosebumps appearing on the back of Qin Mu's neck again.
"That Hao Tianzun bastard has probably used the Creation Divine Artifact to create another me. Inviting me to a banquet is actually a plot to kill me!"
Before they reached the Jade Pool, another woman came forward and said, "Young Master Yun, Madam Yunxiao asks you to return."
Yun Jianli was surprised, having never seen this person before, but he still followed the woman and left.
Not long after, a god under the Southern Heaven Red Emperor blocked their path, bowed, and said, "The Red Emperor misses the young master and asks you to come."
Qi Jiuyi said in surprise, "My master is here? Isn't she in the lower realms? Second Brother, come with me!"
The Dragon Qilin looked at Qin Mu. Qin Mu's heart stirred, and he said, "Go ahead."
Qi Jiuyi and the Dragon Qilin followed the god and left.
Qin Mu smiled and said, "Soon, someone from the Southern Emperor Zhuque's faction will come to invite Sister Yan'er to see the Southern Emperor."
Yan'er was surprised and laughed, "How do you know?"
Qin Mu did not answer.
After a moment, sure enough, another divine woman came forward, smiled, and said, "Princess Yan, the Southern Emperor misses you and has sent me to invite you back to meet her."
Yan'er looked at Qin Mu. Qin Mu nodded slightly and said, "A mother-daughter reunion is an important matter. Don't delay."
Yan'er followed the divine woman and left.
Qin Mu returned to the Jade Pool, went back to the Manhui Corridor Pavilion, and saw another Qin Mu standing in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, waiting for his arrival.