Chapter 1014: The Great Emperor's Consciousness

"If elders don't strive, the young will suffer in vain. I wonder when Grandpa Butcher will be able to create a blade technique of the Emperor's Throne realm?"

Qin Mu stepped down from the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot. Having trained with Butcher, Village Chief, and others since childhood, his studies were extensive and varied. Consequently, he forged fifteen Celestial Palaces. Among these, the Painting Celestial Palace, Blade Celestial Palace, Medical Celestial Palace, Divine Arts Celestial Palace, Forging Celestial Palace, Buddhist Celestial Palace, Thief Celestial Palace, and Array Celestial Palace—these eight great palaces—were all incomplete, only halfway formed and unable to fully materialize.

Although Qin Mu later inherited the wisdom of the Creator race, achieving enlightenment in divine arts and successively creating eight heavens of divine arts, his Divine Arts Celestial Palace still remained incomplete.

Of the teachings passed down by the Nine Elders of Disabled Elderly Village, only his Sword Celestial Palace was fully perfected. This, however, was not due to the Village Chief's efforts, but rather because of Qin Mu's exceptionally high comprehension of the Way of the Sword.

Having trained with Butcher and others since childhood, he was greatly influenced by Butcher, Elder Ma, and the rest. His Overlord Body Three Elixirs technique was also deeply influenced by Butcher and Elder Ma.

Only when Butcher, Elder Ma, and the others created Emperor's Throne-level cultivation techniques could he draw nourishment from them to perfect these eight Celestial Palaces of his.

Otherwise, it would be difficult for Qin Mu to break through the Honored God realm and become a True God.

This time, Qin Mu's journey to the lower realms, besides avoiding the power struggles in the Celestial Heavens, also had another purpose: to urge and motivate Butcher, Granny Si, Blind, and the other elders of Disabled Elderly Village to cultivate diligently and quickly comprehend Emperor's Throne-level cultivation techniques.

Although Yongjiang Academy had been renamed Yongjiang Sect, it was no different from its former self. In recent days, the scholars within the academy were exceptionally excited, having the opportunity to witness the duel of the Three Divine Blades.

Heavenly Blade Butcher, Demonic Blade Zhe Huali, and the one-armed Divine Blade, who had appeared from unknown origins.

The duel of the Three Divine Blades was truly unprecedented. Butcher's Heavenly Blade was bold and unrestrained, Zhe Huali's Demonic Blade was eerie and unpredictable, and the one-armed Divine Blade, on the other hand, was incredibly refined, yet also carried a touch of boldness.

Before Qin Mu even entered Yongjiang Academy, he saw the three divine blades clashing in the sky, and couldn't help but stop to watch. The blade lights of the three blade gods in the sky were truly a spectacular display of dazzling colors, their world-shattering slashes continuously tearing the sky open, appearing as streaks of black to observers.

After five years, Demonic Blade Zhe Huali's abilities had greatly improved. Not only had his cultivation and strength advanced, but he had also achieved remarkable mastery in the Way of the Blade. He had achieved enlightenment through the blade, and had developed other enlightened techniques that suited him even better.

Zhe Huali had studied under Luo Wushuang and also under Furiro, a giant of the demon race. He possessed both demonic and divine natures, but had been slow to achieve enlightenment through the blade. It wasn't until he met Butcher and witnessed the Heavenly Blade that he suddenly had an epiphany, breaking through the mental block in his heart and thus achieving enlightenment through the blade.

His blade technique possessed Luo Wushuang's exquisite precision, the demonic nature of the demon race, and Butcher's grand aura, making it incredibly powerful.

However, his mastery was still shallow, and he was the first to be defeated.

In the sky, only Heavenly Blade Butcher and Luo Wushuang remained clashing.

Qin Mu gazed up for a moment, seeing that Luo Wushuang had already unleashed the fourteenth heaven of the Way of the Blade. His blade technique was becoming increasingly subtle and exquisite, and the power of his Blade Dao Firmament was astonishing.

Butcher, however, blocked it. His Way of the Blade was wild and unrestrained, breaking all techniques with a single force, shattering all methods with one blade, embodying a profound return to simplicity.

Suddenly, Luo Wushuang's blade intent surged, and he actually comprehended the fifteenth heaven of the Way of the Blade!

Qin Mu couldn't help but show surprise: "When I sent Luo Wushuang to the Primordial Realm, he had only comprehended the fourteenth heaven. How could he have comprehended the fifteenth so quickly?"

The two great divine blades clashed in the sky. Heavenly Blade Butcher immediately faltered, but became even more unrestrained, growing stronger with every powerful opponent. He laughed heartily and said, "Your blade is too exquisite! Although you've also comprehended boldness, it's ultimately still the craft of an artisan, unable to shed the aura of a mere craftsman!"

His blade light surged, wide and sweeping, directly clashing with Luo Wushuang's Blade Dao Firmament, intending to cleave it open!

Luo Wushuang sneered, "Heavenly Blade, your blade is too overbearing and unrestrained. You know how to strike, but not how to withdraw your blade. Once you understand withdrawal, you will be the foremost divine blade under heaven, even surpassing me!"

The two great divine blades collided, blade lights erupting, blinding those who watched.

Both men were injured and fell from the sky.

Qin Mu, full of admiration, walked forward. Just then, he heard Butcher recite loudly: "My roan horse is freshly saddled with white jade; after the battle, the moonlit battlefield is cold!"

Qin Mu chimed in loudly: "The iron drums on the city wall still reverberate, the golden blade in its scabbard is not yet dry of blood!"

Butcher was both surprised and delighted. He swiftly rushed out of Yongjiang Academy and burst into laughter: "It's Mu'er! He's back!"

When they met, Qin Mu opened his arms, intending to embrace Butcher, but saw Butcher cleave a blade towards him, shouting, "Mu'er, draw your blade!"

Qin Mu was startled and quickly dodged. With a thought, his sword pellet transformed into two divine blades. Their blade lights crisscrossed. A moment later, Butcher's blade rested on Qin Mu's neck. Butcher couldn't help but roar in anger: "You haven't even achieved enlightenment yet? You're disgracing me! You're not even as good as little Zhe!"

Qin Mu's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "Grandpa Butcher, it's not that I'm incapable; it's just that I've spent more effort on the Way of the Sword and divine arts over the past few years..."

Butcher spat. Catching sight of God King Lang Wo and others approaching, he looked surprised and whispered, "Is there anyone whose beauty can compare to Granny Si's? Is this your wife?"

Qin Mu's face reddened, and he whispered, "Not yet... Pfft, pfft! This is God King Lang Wo, a God King among the Creators, and a master comparable to a Celestial Venerable."

God King Lang Wo greeted him.

Butcher's heart was awestruck. He properly returned the greeting and said, "Mu'er, don't leave for a few days. I'll spar with you, lest your blade techniques become slack again."

Qin Mu could only nod in agreement.

On the other side, Luo Wushuang approached with a gloomy face, carrying his blade. Qin Mu quickly laughed and said, "God Blade Luo, your Way of the Blade has advanced remarkably fast these days!"

Luo Wushuang pressed his blade and sneered, "You kicked me to Yuandu Celestial Palace, causing me to fall into a heavy siege. To avoid revealing my identity, I had no choice but to purge Yuandu Celestial Palace. The powerful cultivators under Celestial Venerable Xiao's command pursued me for two whole years, making my life miserable!"

Qin Mu laughed heartily, "If not for that, God Blade Luo wouldn't have been able to cultivate the fifteenth heaven of the Blade Dao Firmament. Put down your blade first; don't be impulsive. Zhe Huali, come persuade your master!"

Zhe Huali walked over, shaking his head and smiling, "He's no longer my master, but my fellow Daoist. I can't persuade him. Celestial Venerable Mu, your title of Celestial Venerable sounds very imposing. I wonder how skilled you are with a blade?"

Qin Mu huffed. Luo Wushuang caught sight of God King Lang Wo and felt a chill in his heart. He quickly asked, "Yun Chuxiu? Empress Yuanshu?"

Qin Mu quickly stopped him, shook his head, and said, "This is the true one."

Luo Wushuang looked bewildered and uncertain: "Are there really such women in the world?"

Qin Mu settled down in Yongjiang Academy. God King Lang Wo watched Qin Mu battle the three divine blades daily for the past few days. He was beaten black and blue, with continuous injuries on his body. She couldn't help but be extremely curious.

Given Qin Mu's abilities, if he were to use his divine consciousness to unleash divine arts, even Luo Wushuang would find it difficult to break through his divine consciousness arts. Yet, he insisted on confronting these three divine blades with his blade techniques, suffering quite a miserable beating.

Five days later, Butcher's patience wore thin with him. He said, "Your foundation is excellent, and you learn quickly, but it's hard for you to achieve enlightenment through the blade. Most likely, you have too many unorthodox thoughts. You may leave."

Qin Mu had no choice but to bid farewell, and continued his journey on the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot.

"Celestial Venerable Mu, come spar with blades often if you have time!" Zhe Huali waved at him.

Qin Mu huffed, quite displeased.

The Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot traveled for several days, arriving near Fallen God Valley. Fallen God Valley had already been razed to the ground. Qin Mu planned to bypass Fallen God Valley and head to Jiangling Academy to search for the whereabouts of former Imperial Preceptor Jiang Baigui. Suddenly, he saw a thatched hut in Fallen God Valley, and a young man emerged from it.

It was a young Celestial Venerable Yu.

Qin Mu was startled, and ordered the All Heavens Devil King to stop.

The young Celestial Venerable Yu also paused upon seeing him, and smiled, "Cult Master Qin, long time no see."

As his voice faded, a box emerged from the thatched hut. Upon seeing Qin Mu, it scurried over with a clatter, circling his legs intimately. Then it ran to Dragon Qilin, clattering its lid open and shut, as if it had a thousand words to say.

Dragon Qilin jumped onto the box and sat down. The box immediately carried him, frolicking and running about.

Qin Mu stepped down from the imperial chariot, leaving God King Lang Wo and the others on board, and approached the young Celestial Venerable Yu alone, saying, "Daoist friend Xing An, have you researched the mysteries of this physical body?"

Xing An glanced at the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot, then withdrew his gaze, and invited Qin Mu into the hut, saying, "I've mostly figured it out. This physical body incorporates various ancient god runes; it's extremely intricate. It constructs various Celestial Palaces and ancient gods, gathering all the myriad Great Ways into one, incredibly powerful! Cult Master Qin, please take a look!"

His thatched hut appeared small, but its interior was vast. It was filled with countless bookshelves, all laden with books. Qin Mu picked up a book and opened it, revealing records of various ancient god Dao runes!

Qin Mu closed the book and said, "Xing An, your talent is unparalleled, but unfortunately, you've applied it in the wrong place."

Xing An raised an eyebrow, immensely confident, and proudly said, "Although I haven't done many good deeds and didn't join the world to save people during the Eternal Peace Calamity five years ago, by researching the mysteries of this physical body, I can benefit the world and allow everyone to gain from my achievements! Cult Master Qin, you're merely jealous of me!"

Qin Mu shook his head, and took out a mirror, saying, "The jade slips in this mirror record all the ancient god Dao runes within this body of yours. They're for you."

Xing An's mind boomed. He quickly took the mirror, and looked at the rows of jade slips within it. Indeed, they were the Dao runes from the Celestial Venerable Yu divine artifact, and even more precise, having been re-calculated by Qin Mu using microscopic numerology!

He couldn't help but feel utterly disheartened, and for a long time, he couldn't regain his composure.

"You're too reclusive, and you communicate too little with the outside world."

Qin Mu looked at him with pity and said, "I've already given these jade slips from the mirror to the high-ranking officials of Eternal Peace's reforms. While not everyone has one, there are quite a few in circulation. If you had interacted more with others, you wouldn't have wasted five years here."

Xing An huffed, took the mirror, and said indifferently, "Using one's own body as a Dao foundation, with ancient gods residing within the flesh. Have you also comprehended this achievement?"

Qin Mu's aura vibrated. Divine light enveloped his body, and nearly two thousand ancient gods appeared throughout his physical form. He smiled faintly and said, "Are you referring to this?"

Xing An was dumbfounded, unable to utter another word.

Qin Mu dispelled the ancient god phenomenon and praised him, "You, exploring on your own, were actually able to comprehend ancient gods residing within the physical body. Your talent is indeed unparalleled, truly befitting a former saint. You should go to the Dao Sect and seek Dao Master Lin Xuan. His mastery of microscopic numerology far surpasses mine, and he has been researching ancient god Dao runes for a long time. Combining your intellect with his will certainly yield twice the results with half the effort."

Xing An was silent for a moment, then waved his hand, collecting the entire thatched hut, and prepared to depart.

Qin Mu reached out and stopped him. Xing An showed a puzzled expression.

Qin Mu smiled, "When you and I journeyed through Fallen God Valley, you captured this physical body, which also contained a wisp of a Celestial Venerable's consciousness. Is that wisp of consciousness still present?"

Xing An nodded and said, "I couldn't refine it, so I sealed it."

"Give it to me," Qin Mu's eyes gleamed.

Xing An took out a jade bottle and handed it to him. He then turned, called the box, and departed with it.

Qin Mu watched him leave, then returned to the imperial chariot, tossing the jade bottle in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Shu Jun looked at the jade bottle and inquired, "Sacred Infant, what's in the bottle?"

"A wisp of a Celestial Venerable's consciousness."

The Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot set sail. Qin Mu gazed at Fallen God Valley outside the chariot, his eyes distant: "Five years ago, after the Celestial Venerable Yu divine artifact was created, that Celestial Venerable immediately rushed to Fallen God Valley to confirm if Celestial Venerable Ling was truly dead. At that time, I entered Fallen God Valley with the Heavenly Emperor's disciple Yan Qiling, Xing An, and others. To be so concerned about Celestial Venerable Ling's life or death, he must have been either the Heavenly Emperor or the Grand Emperor. Since the Heavenly Emperor had sent Yan Qiling at that time, it naturally wasn't the Heavenly Emperor; it could only be the Grand Emperor."

He examined the jade bottle and said blandly, "The Heavenly Emperor was after the Heavenly Emperor's physical body, while the Grand Emperor was concerned about whether Celestial Venerable Ling was truly dead. At the time, I wondered why it was such a coincidence that I was exploring Fallen God Valley while others were also exploring it simultaneously. Now it seems the Grand Emperor and Heavenly Emperor had accurately predicted that only I could open Fallen God Valley and enter it, which is why they arrived here at the same time as me. However, the Grand Emperor did not predict that a day would come when his consciousness would fall into my hands."