Chapter 1008: White Cat

Yun Chuxiu glanced at Demon King Dutian, frowning slightly. "He's just a demon god at the God Slaying Platform realm, and quite unattractive. Why does Celestial Venerable Mu treat him so well?"

Qin Mu smiled. "He has good aptitude, excellent comprehension, and is intelligent and resilient. He was just held back in his early years. Demon King Dutian is one of the few individuals who truly impress me."

Yun Chuxiu couldn't help but become curious, asking, "Who else is worthy of Celestial Venerable Mu's attention?"

"There are quite a few," Qin Mu listed them off as if counting family treasures: "The Ten Celestial Venerables of the Celestial Heavens, as well as Celestial Venerable Gong, Earth Count, Heavenly Emperor, the Empress, Primordial Mother, and other ancient gods; the Grand Emperor, Founding Emperor, and various Great and Lesser Emperor Seat experts; and roughly several dozen talented individuals from the younger generation. All together, about one to two hundred people."

Yun Chuxiu burst into laughter, shaking with mirth. "One or two hundred people is 'quite a few'? Celestial Venerable Mu, are you trying to scare me?"

Qin Mu's soul was almost ensnared by the woman; he secretly marveled, "How formidable! No wonder even the ancient god Heavenly Emperor fell for her back then!"

Dragon Qilin lifted his head, alertly coughing.

Qin Mu immediately snapped back to attention, his gaze shifting from Yun Chuxiu to God King Lang Wo. He instantly felt that Yun Chuxiu's allure was entirely ineffective. Appreciating God King Lang Wo's tranquil and elegant beauty could calm his mind. Although the two women had identical appearances, God King Lang Wo was unlike Yun Chuxiu. Yun Chuxiu exuded a strong possessiveness, while God King Lang Wo's aura made one unconsciously fall into and become infatuated with her.

Dragon Qilin coughed again. Qin Mu couldn't help but wonder, "I'm not looking at the little enchantress anymore, so why is Fatty Dragon still coughing to warn me?"

Dragon Qilin frowned deeply, feeling a sense of unease. "Is there still hope for the Cult Master?"

Yun Chuxiu looked at God King Lang Wo, frowning slightly, and thought to herself, "This little femme fatale's ability to charm is even greater than mine. What's her background? Her demeanor resembles my sister's, but my sister is that vixen Ling Hua Soul, and she wouldn't send another Jue Wuchen. I've been probing her for so long, and I still can't discern her true identity. Among the Ten Celestial Venerables, which one transformed into Jue Wuchen? Could it be Celestial Venerable Gong? No, it doesn't seem like it..."

After exchanging a few lighthearted remarks with the two women, Qin Mu stood up and left with Demon King Dutian and Dragon Qilin.

"Brother Dutian," Qin Mu said, "I've entrusted the Pot Heaven Bottle to Fatty Dragon. In your daily life, you should follow him." Qin Mu distanced himself from Yun Chuxiu and God King Lang Wo before continuing, "When you have time, go into the Pot Heaven Bottle and settle your people. That Pot Heaven world is still empty, providing ample space for your clan to multiply and thrive. However, this Pot Heaven Bottle is merely another Carefree Village; hiding inside will only lead to stagnation. You will still have to migrate out and settle in the outside world in the future."

Demon King Dutian assented, but said gloomily, "The outside world is filled with countless heavens; I fear there will be no place for my clan to settle."

Qin Mu smiled faintly. "It's difficult for you to earn merits in the Celestial Heavens, but it's not hard when you're with me. There's a race in Eternal Peace called the Feathered Sky Race. Their Feathered Sky World has been occupied by another demonic race, and Yu Zhaoqing, the matriarch of the Heavenly Prison clan, has repeatedly asked me to attack it and reclaim their people's territory. Although I agreed, I haven't had the time. In a few days, I will descend to the lower realm. You should go see Yu Zhaoqing and help her reclaim the Feathered Sky World. The Feathered Sky World is also a vast heaven, and it's certainly possible to carve out a portion for your people to temporarily settle."

Demon King Dutian hesitated. "Temporarily settling might lead to many troubles in the long run, and gratitude could even turn into enmity."

Qin Mu praised his worldly wisdom and laughed, "Who can say what the future holds? Perhaps in a hundred years or so, chaos will erupt across the world? In times of turmoil, heroes rise from all corners, and you and your clan may not be without a place to settle."

Demon King Dutian's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "The Celestial Heavens now rule all major heavens, and the power of the Ten Celestial Venerables suppresses all realms. How could chaos possibly arise?"

His other head suddenly realized, laughing, "That's right. With Celestial Venerable Mu entering the Celestial Heavens, how could it not be chaotic?"

Qin Mu chided him playfully.

As they were speaking, God King Lang Wo approached, gracefully parting flowers and willows. She glanced at Dutian, then sent a spiritual sense message, "Holy Infant, when will you go to find the ancestral court?"

Qin Mu's spiritual sense fluctuated in response: "I just stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell a few days ago. The Ten Celestial Venerables are already suspicious of each other, and I fear some also suspect me. If I leave the Celestial Heavens now, I'm afraid some Celestial Venerables won't be able to sit still and will test me along the way."

He frowned. "The Ten Celestial Venerables already had rifts and suspicions among them. I brought the news that the Grand Emperor is hidden among them, yet surprisingly, they are still able to remain calm and haven't engaged in internal strife. Even after I stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell, they remained inactive, remarkably composed, and still appear harmonious and united on the surface. I feel somewhat powerless now."

He shook his head, sighing, "I revealed the whereabouts of the Grand Void and Carefree Village, but they remained unmoved. I no longer have any confidence in provoking their internal strife. Will they only start an internal war if I expose the news that the Heavenly Emperor, the Empress, and the Primordial Mother are hidden among the Ten Celestial Venerables?"

"Holy Infant, you are being a bit too impatient."

God King Lang Wo advised, "Haste makes waste. You should leave the Celestial Heavens now and observe the situation calmly. Contradictions accumulate daily, and hatred will grow deeper and stronger. If you try to provoke an internal war among the Ten Celestial Venerables in a short time, you will only leave traces and give others leverage. I didn't approve of you using the Heavenly Emperor's physical body to steal the Heavenly Emperor's... the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell. It was too dangerous."

She said softly, "The Grand Emperor is hidden among them, and the Heavenly Emperor is also hidden among them. With so many capable and unusual individuals among the Ten Celestial Venerables, it's hard to guarantee that they won't discover your traces. If you had wanted to leave the Celestial Heavens before, at most they would have sent people to monitor you secretly. But leaving the Celestial Heavens after stealing the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell, I'm afraid there will be many dangers. I don't know the Heavenly Emperor's methods, but the Grand Emperor is immensely powerful, and he will most likely suspect you."

Qin Mu nodded. "I was a bit reckless. Sister God King, do you know if the Heavenly Emperor was born from an egg?"

God King Lang Wo shook her head.

"God King Lang Wo is still a young Creator after all. It seems I'll have to ask God King Shu Jun."

As Qin Mu thought this, he was about to order someone to find Shu Jun, when suddenly he heard Yan'er's startled cry: "Where did this stray cat come from? Fatty Dragon, hurry up, there's a stray cat in the residence!"

Dragon Qilin perked up his ears and rushed over, shouting, "Brother Dutian, come help too!"

Demon King Dutian quickly ran over, laughing, "Sister Yan'er is an unfathomably powerful expert; how could she not be able to capture a stray cat in the Celestial Heavens?"

Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly: "Yan'er is at the Numinous Sky realm and has been taught by Celestial Venerable Yue since childhood. How could she not be able to catch a stray cat? There are many gods and devils in the Celestial Heavens; how could a stray cat appear here? This cat is strange!"

As he was thinking, he heard a commotion in the residence. Yan'er, transformed into a green sparrow, flitted about, while Dragon Qilin, Demon King Dutian, and a group of palace maids tried to corner it from all sides, yet they still couldn't catch the stray cat.

Qin Mu fixed his gaze on it. It was a white cat, moving like a ghost, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. It always managed to narrowly evade everyone. Even with Yan'er and Dutian, two great experts, working together, they couldn't catch it.

Yan'er shouted excitedly, "This cat has great moves! It's full of muscle and strength, it must be delicious!"

"It looks like Celestial Venerable Yan's cat!"

Qin Mu paused, slightly startled, and looked at God King Lang Wo.

God King Lang Wo whispered, "Dead or alive?"

Qin Mu was about to speak when God King Lang Wo's expression subtly changed. She whispered, "A Celestial Venerable has arrived!"

No sooner had she spoken than a palace maid rushed into the garden and announced, "Master, Celestial Venerable Yan is here to visit!"

Qin Mu was about to get up to greet her when Celestial Consort Yan's laughter suddenly drifted over: "Celestial Venerable Mu, no need to come out. Your Celestial Venerable Manor is quite magnificent; His Majesty has given you a good place."

Qin Mu stepped forward to meet her, smiling, "Celestial Consort, what brings you here?"

Celestial Consort Yan said with a smile, "I was passing by your esteemed residence, and my cat ran off. I wondered if it had run into the Celestial Venerable's home, so I came to check. To my surprise, before I even had a chance to announce myself, I heard the commotion of 'catching a cat' from inside the manor. This cat is my precious darling, so in my panic, I took the liberty of entering. Please forgive me, Celestial Venerable Mu."

As she was speaking, a flash of white light, and the white cat leaped into her arms, snuggling closer. It bared its teeth at the approaching green sparrow and Dragon Qilin, its tail fur bristling. Celestial Consort Yan gently rubbed its head, and only then did the white cat calm down, narrowing its eyes. It occasionally eyed the green sparrow, Demon King Dutian, and others, emitting soft, threatening growls.

Qin Mu smiled gently, "Celestial Consort's cat is truly agile; even a great expert at the Numinous Sky realm couldn't capture it."

"A Celestial Venerable's cat naturally has some abilities."

Celestial Consort Yan looked at God King Lang Wo and Yun Chuxiu, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and with a surprised expression, she smiled and asked, "Who are these two sisters?"

God King Lang Wo remained silent. Yun Chuxiu bowed to Celestial Consort Yan and smiled, "I am Yun Chuxiu of the Yun Manor. Greetings, Celestial Consort Yan. For the Celestial Consort not to be in the imperial harem, but to come to Celestial Venerable Mu's manor, it seems a bit undignified for the imperial family."

Celestial Consort Yan's eyes flickered, and she said softly, "My dear Yun, you may not know this, but though I am a Celestial Consort, I am also a Celestial Venerable. Celestial Venerable Mu is one of the Five Elders of the Celestial Alliance, making him my senior. For a junior like myself to visit a senior does not violate the imperial family's dignity. It would only be undignified if I were to secretly meet Celestial Venerable Mu every day and not return home."

Yun Chuxiu felt suspicious inwardly: "Celestial Venerable Yan's tone is so sharp; could this little hussy be my sister?" Ever since she discovered that Ling Hua Soul was the Empress, she had been somewhat paranoid.

Celestial Consort Yan bid farewell, smiling, "Now that I've found my cat, I'm relieved. I won't disturb Celestial Venerable Mu's cultivation. After all, I am a Celestial Consort, and staying here for a long time might invite gossip. Another day, I will first send an invitation before visiting again."

Qin Mu saw her off, saying, "Celestial Consort, I plan to leave the Celestial Heavens in a few days. I'm afraid you won't be able to find me then."

Celestial Consort Yan said in surprise, "Celestial Venerable Mu, you just returned from the Grand Void a few days ago. Are you leaving again without even a few days' rest? Where do you plan to go, Celestial Venerable? When will you return?"

Qin Mu sighed, "Having come to the Celestial Heavens, I've truly realized the vastness of the world. Thus, I wish to travel around and broaden my horizons. I plan to wander the Four Extreme Lands, visit the Four Emperors, ascend to the highest points to visit Celestial Venerable Gong, and descend to the deepest places to visit Earth Count. As for when I can return, I do not know."

Celestial Consort Yan showed an envious expression, sighing mournfully and quite melancholically, "I too wish I could be as free and unconstrained as Celestial Venerable Mu. However, ever since I married into the imperial family, I've been confined to these deep palaces. The farthest I've ever gone is Jade Capital City. It's quite desolate, to be honest. I truly envy the Celestial Venerable, who can travel the heavens and earth. Farewell, Celestial Venerable, please don't bother escorting me further."

Qin Mu saw her to the door, where he saw an imperial carriage. Many palace maids were waiting by the carriage. Two girls parted the beaded curtains of the carriage, and Celestial Consort Yan, holding the white cat, ascended the carriage, sat down gracefully, and nodded gently to Qin Mu. Qin Mu bowed in return. The two palace maids lowered the beaded curtains, and the imperial carriage started moving, driving away from the Celestial Venerable Manor.

Qin Mu turned and returned to his residence. He immediately began writing a memorial, preparing to submit it to the imperial court to inform the Heavenly Emperor of his plans to travel.

"I want to go too!" Yun Chuxiu cheered excitedly.

Qin Mu frowned deeply, thinking to himself, "Last time in the Grand Void, I could only kill her without alarming Primordial Mother's true form by relying on Luo Shen Blade, that ruthless individual. Now she wants to follow again. How can I kill her this time? Perhaps I should first go to Eternal Peace, find Luo Shen Blade, and have him chop this little fox spirit to death..."

In the imperial carriage, Celestial Consort Yan gently stroked the cat's head. The white cat leisurely licked its paw and said slowly, "Celestial Consort, you weren't wrong. The one who controlled the Heavenly Emperor's physical body and stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell that day was indeed Celestial Venerable Mu. He might deceive others, but he cannot deceive me."

Celestial Consort Yan stroked along the cat's tail. The white cat arched its tail, clearly enjoying it.

"This is interesting."

Celestial Consort Yan chuckled softly, "Celestial Venerable Mu's cultivation isn't high, yet he can control the Heavenly Emperor's physical body. Even if he had the Numinous Sky realm cultivation, he might not be able to do it. So how did he achieve this? The Grand Emperor should possess such an ability; his divine sense is incredibly powerful, capable of substituting for vital qi cultivation. From this, it seems Celestial Venerable Mu must have encountered a Creator in the Grand Void and had a great fortuitous encounter, causing his divine sense attainments to skyrocket."

The white cat said, "So, the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell..."

Celestial Consort Yan smiled, looking at the prosperity of Jade Capital City outside the window. She chuckled, "The Grand Emperor will make a move against him. If I can guess that Celestial Venerable Mu had a fortuitous encounter with the Creator race, the Grand Emperor can too; he is, after all, the foremost in divine sense. I also want to know who the Grand Emperor truly is."

She rubbed the white cat's cheek, her gaze somewhat sly. "The Grand Emperor is dead but still influential; he makes people uneasy. The scene when he controlled the Heavenly Emperor's true body to ambush Celestial Venerable Ling back then still sends shivers down my spine."