Chapter 1001: Entering the Palace and the Controversies of Audience

Lian Huahun approached, seeing the two "Jue Wuchen", and was stunned. "Two little sluts..."

Yun Chuxiu also looked at Lian Huahun, sneering inwardly, but her head throbbed. "There are actually two sluts; which one is real?"

Initially, when Luo Wushuang and Qin Mu led two or three hundred people to Taixu, before even entering the realm, Yun Chuxiu had already spotted Lian Huahun, and Lian Huahun had also spotted Yun Chuxiu. Based on each other's appearances, both had made some guesses.

But now, Yun Chuxiu was feeling unsure.

Qin Mu stood before the three women, greatly troubled. He thought, "I hope Divine King Langwan has some sense of propriety and doesn't use her divine consciousness to probe Lian Huahun and Yun Chuxiu. Otherwise, even I won't be able to protect her."

They were Empress Dowager and Lady Yuanmu. Although they no longer possessed their ancient god true bodies, they were Celestials who had broken free from the ancient gods' constraints, now hidden among the Ten Celestials. If Divine King Langwan were to be indiscreet and use her divine consciousness to probe their memories, she would face the combined wrath of two Celestials!

Divine King Langwan could handle Emperor Kai alone, but facing two Celestials simultaneously, especially those who possessed the Celestial Emperor Regalia divine artifact, would surely result in a terrible death! As the Divine King of the Creator race, Langwan possessed exceptional methods and cunning. She should know her limits.

"Celestial Venerable Mu, who are these two sisters?" Lian Huahun gracefully greeted Qin Mu and asked.

Qin Mu said helplessly, "This is Yun Chuxiu from the Yun family, and this is Langwan. You can chat slowly; I have something to attend to..."

"Celestial Venerable, don't leave!"

Yun Chuxiu stepped forward, hooked her arm around his, pressing his arm against her chest, and said with a smile, "I'm shy around strangers, so Celestial Venerable must stay. And there's another thing: didn't Celestial Venerable go to Taixu? When did you return? What did you encounter in Taixu?"

Qin Mu said seriously, "Sister, you also went to Taixu; how could you not know what happened there? I really have important matters..."

Yun Chuxiu blinked, then chuckled, "Has Celestial Venerable forgotten? We got separated after entering Taixu, so your little sister knows nothing about what Celestial Venerable encountered."

"Slut!" Lian Huahun snorted, then said indifferently, "How did the Yun family teach you? To be so disrespectful in front of a Celestial Venerable?"

Yun Chuxiu rolled her eyes at her, then glanced at Divine King Langwan, feeling suspicious. "Lian Huahun, this little slut's tone is very much like my sister's. So, what's the deal with this Langwan? Her aura is no less powerful than my sister's... Which Celestial Venerable created a Jue Wuchen to impersonate my sister?"

Suddenly, a divine official arrived to announce the Celestial Emperor's decree, saying, "Summon Celestial Venerable Mu to the palace for an audience."

Qin Mu let out a sigh of relief, then his heart tightened again. "The Celestial Emperor in the Heavenly Court is also a fake created by the Genesis divine artifact. The true Celestial Emperor's physical body is trapped within Celestial Venerable Ling's divine ability. So, which Celestial Venerable is summoning me?"

The divine official said, "Celestial Venerable has rendered great service in the campaign against Taixu. His Majesty has commanded that you be rewarded with pearls, jade, and beautiful women as comfort." With that, the accompanying divine attendants brought many palace maids, pearls, jade, and treasures.

Qin Mu called Hu Ling'er and instructed her to accept all the pearls, jade, and beautiful women, then followed the divine official into the palace to meet the Emperor.

Yun Chuxiu's eyes darted about. She stepped forward, took Divine King Langwan's hand, and smiled, "Sister Langwan, we look so alike, it's as if we're long-lost twin sisters. Sister, we absolutely must have a good chat and get to know each other; perhaps we truly are long-lost blood sisters."

Lian Huahun snorted, then said indifferently, "Indeed. You are blood sisters, yet blood sisters should beware of backstabbing!"

Divine King Langwan said softly, "Sister Lian, why do you say that? When I see the two of you, I can't help but feel a sense of closeness, as if we truly sprang from the same root. I can't help but want to be close to both of you."

Qin Mu quickly hastened his steps, swiftly leaving the Celestial Venerable's mansion.

He followed the divine official to the inner city of the Heavenly Court. The divine official said, "It's not time for a court audience now. His Majesty is waiting for Celestial Venerable in the Hall of Cultivation."

Qin Mu narrowed his eyes, thinking, "The Hall of Cultivation? Is a female Celestial Venerable controlling the Celestial Emperor's physical body this time? I wonder which of the four female Celestials it is?"

Upon arriving at the Hall of Cultivation, the divine official motioned for Qin Mu to wait outside the hall, then walked in with small steps and announced, "Your Majesty, Celestial Venerable Mu has arrived."

"Bring him in," came the Celestial Emperor's voice.

The divine official walked out again with small steps and said to Qin Mu with a smile, "Celestial Venerable, please enter."

Qin Mu entered the hall and looked up, seeing the ancient god Celestial Emperor seated on the throne in the Hall of Cultivation, his physical body vast, his eyes closed. Many divine maidens held jade plates, which contained precious items such as spiritual ointments and medicinal herbs. With colorful ribbons fluttering, the divine maidens flew around the ancient god Celestial Emperor with graceful movements, carefully applying spiritual ointments to his skin. Some divine maidens moved through the Celestial Emperor's hair bun, applying salves to moisturize his hair. Other divine maidens sat by the Celestial Emperor's feet, grinding spiritual herbs with pestles, adding jade spring water to create ointments to care for the ancient god Celestial Emperor's feet. And some delicate young girls meticulously applied spiritual medicines to the exposed skin of the ancient god Celestial Emperor, carefully coating his runic markings.

Inside the Hall of Cultivation, the gentle sounds of string and wind instruments lingered, and occasionally, divine maidens would strike chimes, producing melodious music.

"Celestial Venerable Mu, please be seated." The ancient god Celestial Emperor opened his eyes and gestured with a raised hand. Several divine maidens who were grooming his fingernails hastily flew up to follow his hand. The divine maidens who were grooming his eyelashes also became somewhat flustered, busily landing on his eyelashes to straighten each individual lash.

Qin Mu took his seat and continued to observe the ancient god Celestial Emperor. Judging solely by appearance, the ancient god Celestial Emperor in the Heavenly Court was almost indistinguishable from the one trapped in Celestial Venerable Ling's divine ability. His demeanor was like that of the Lord of Ten Thousand Dao, and his aura was exceptionally transcendent, possessing the bearing of a cosmic overlord who commanded the universe. Behind him, many divine maidens flew around the halo behind the Celestial Emperor's head, wiping it to make it even brighter.

The ancient god Celestial Emperor also observed Qin Mu. After a moment, he spoke, "Celestial Venerable Mu has rendered great service in the campaign against Taixu. Do you know the whereabouts of Celestial Venerable Huo and Celestial Venerable Xu?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Celestial Venerable Huo and Celestial Venerable Xu were trapped in Taixu, but have now escaped." Qin Mu said, "During my exploration of Taixu, I discovered the whereabouts of the Creator race and Wuyou Township."

The ancient god Celestial Emperor's expression subtly shifted, and the halo behind his head also wavered slightly. Many divine maidens who were tending to the halo instantly couldn't keep up, becoming flustered and disheveled. At the ancient god Celestial Emperor's lips, the divine maidens grooming his mouth hastily flew away, lest the airflow from his breathing blow them away or suck them in.

Qin Mu observed the ancient god Celestial Emperor's expression. Based solely on his facial expressions, it was difficult to discern which Celestial Venerable was inhabiting this physical body.

"Celestial Venerable Mu, please elaborate," the ancient god Celestial Emperor said.

Qin Mu bowed slightly and said, "Upon entering Taixu, I discovered that the divine consciousness there was in disarray, related to the prehistoric Creator race. I also found traces of Great Emperor, the leader of the Creator race. I discovered that Great Emperor's physical body is trapped in the Taixu realm. Your Majesty should not be unfamiliar with Great Emperor, correct?"

He watched the ancient god Celestial Emperor's expression. However, the ancient god Celestial Emperor's expression remained unchanged, making it impossible for Qin Mu to discern any shift in the mindset of the Celestial Venerable controlling this physical body.

"Great Emperor is a rebellious faction; indeed, he must be watched closely." The ancient god Celestial Emperor said, "Celestial Venerable, please continue."

Qin Mu's gaze was contained. He said, "I discovered that Great Emperor's physical body is solidified within the Supreme Divine Consciousness Domain. His physical body is immensely powerful, and his divine consciousness is vast. Perhaps this villain's physical body could be captured and publicly displayed in the Heavenly Court as a warning, thereby proclaiming heavenly might."

The ancient god Celestial Emperor remained noncommittal. Just then, Qin Mu felt a fluctuation in the ancient god Celestial Emperor's aura—another power had entered the Emperor's physical body! The divine maidens seemed oblivious, but his divine consciousness was incredibly keen, allowing him to clearly sense this fluctuation.

"Now, there are two Celestials within the Celestial Emperor's physical body!"

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, yet his expression remained unchanged as he continued, "I have further discoveries. Great Emperor is not dead. What was trapped and killed in Taixu was merely Great Emperor's physical body. Great Emperor's primordial spirit has escaped Taixu, and his divine consciousness is unimaginably powerful. A portion of his divine consciousness has also left Taixu, lurking either in the Heavenly Court or among the myriad worlds."

The ancient god Celestial Emperor displayed a benevolent smile and chuckled, "Celestial Venerable Mu's discovery is indeed shocking. A rebel like Great Emperor should rightfully be apprehended and executed to uphold heavenly might. Celestial Venerable Mu, do you think Great Emperor is currently hidden among the myriad worlds, or in the Heavenly Court?"

Qin Mu said solemnly, "This subject dares not make a definitive statement."

At this moment, another subtle, almost imperceptible, fluctuation of aura entered the Celestial Emperor's body. A third Celestial Venerable had arrived!

"Great Emperor is still alive; this is indeed a matter of great importance and must be guarded against. Heh heh, how laughable! There are always some rebellious subjects and treacherous villains coveting My empire!" At this point, the ancient god Celestial Emperor's tone was again different from before, clearly indicating that the third Celestial Venerable was speaking. "The myriad worlds have only just achieved peace, yet new troubles arise. Do these rebellious subjects and treacherous villains truly believe I dare not unleash a great slaughter?"

Suddenly, another fluctuation of aura seeped into the Celestial Emperor's body, and the Emperor immediately changed his expression, chuckling softly, "Celestial Venerable Mu has rendered great service in discovering Great Emperor. However, regarding Wuyou Township and the Creator race, Celestial Venerable Mu might as well tell us about them too."

Qin Mu said frankly, "In the Taixu realm, I discovered traces of the rebel Qin Ye. The rebel Qin Ye had a battle with Celestial Venerable Huo, which ended in a mutual defeat."

The ancient god Celestial Emperor's face immediately became exceedingly expressive, his various expressions shifting unpredictably, leaving the divine maidens who were grooming his face somewhat bewildered. Qin Mu watched this, sneering inwardly, and continued, "The rebel Qin Ye is the chieftain of Wuyou Township, active in the Taixu realm. Celestial Venerable Huo has now left the Taixu realm and, presumably, will return to the Heavenly Court in a few days. As for the precise location of Wuyou Township and the rebel Qin Ye, Celestial Venerable Huo should know more clearly than I."

At this moment, another surge of aura arrived, silently seeping into the Celestial Emperor's body, saying, "What new developments are there with the Creator race?"

Qin Mu said, "The Creator race has not gone extinct. I discovered that the remnants of the Creator race have created another void in the Taixu realm, migrating into this void. They harbor ambitious designs, plotting a counterattack. However, my strength is meager, and I dared not approach to investigate. But I did see Celestial Venerable Xu heading there to seek the whereabouts of the Creator remnants."

A sixth surge of aura arrived, also disappearing into the ancient god Celestial Emperor's body.

The ancient god Celestial Emperor's demeanor became somewhat enchanting, and he said, "Celestial Venerable Mu, you have endured great hardship on your journey. What became of those who followed you to Taixu?"

Qin Mu sighed regretfully, "Heaven envies heroes. Only Yun Chuxiu from the Yun family and Lian Huahun, a disciple of Celestial Venerable Hao, emerged from Taixu alive. All the others perished within Taixu."

"Is Divine Blade Luo Wushuang also dead?"

Qin Mu shook his head, "When I arrived in the Taixu realm, I became separated from Divine Blade Luo and do not know his whereabouts."

The ancient god Celestial Emperor sighed. As he sighed, another surge of aura arrived. The ancient god Celestial Emperor's body was now controlled by seven Celestials!

"Divine Blade Luo is the Heavenly Court's foremost divine blade. I had even hoped he would establish a Dao of the Blade Heavenly Duke. I never imagined he would fall in Taixu. How lamentable and regrettable." The ancient god Celestial Emperor said, "Celestial Venerable Mu, did you truly not find Wuyou Township?"

Qin Mu said in a deep voice, "I did not find Wuyou Township, but I traversed the entire Taixu realm, understanding its situation thoroughly, and drew a map of Taixu's geography."

"Present it!"

Qin Mu took out the map of Taixu's geography. A divine maiden stepped forward, received it, and presented it to the ancient god Celestial Emperor. The ancient god Celestial Emperor unfurled the map and looked at it, pondering in silence.

Suddenly, an eighth surge of aura arrived, stealthily entering the Celestial Emperor's body, also examining the map of Taixu's geography. Qin Mu's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "I suspect that Great Emperor is in the Heavenly Court, and it's even possible that he is hiding among the Celestials!"

Within the ancient god Celestial Emperor's body, the aura instantly became chaotic. Individual strands of hair stood on end, his robes fluttered wildly, and the halo behind his head spun frantically. Qin Mu watched this scene with a smile. The eight Celestials within the ancient god Celestial Emperor's body were, at this moment, likely probing each other!

---Late birthday wishes: Happy Birthday to our alliance masters Lan Xiaoyi and Wang Chuan!