Chapter 1083: Dragon Qilin's Feigned Retreat

Prince Youming spoke with the Northern Emperor for a while, earning his considerable appreciation, and felt overjoyed.

The Profound Emperor said, "It's better sooner than later to break away from the Heavenly Court. You should depart immediately and return to the Northern Pole Heaven."

The Martial Emperor chuckled, "Although they now control the Heavenly Emperor's physical body, the spoils are unevenly distributed, making it the perfect time for us to separate. If we wait until they've settled their differences, it will be incredibly difficult to leave the Heavenly Court and enjoy freedom."

"However, the separation of each Heavenly Palace from the Heavenly Court is a significant matter, and there will likely be resistance. If we are to act, all Four Imperial Emperors must do so together!"

The Profound Emperor and the Martial Emperor stood up and said, "My son, we have already discussed this with the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors. This departure means we will no longer be under the Heavenly Court's control, free to enjoy ourselves in our respective domains. We will each rule one of the Four Poles of the universe, and you can even become the Heavenly Emperor of your own Four Pole. Isn't that wonderful?"

Prince Youming was delighted, yet suddenly felt a pang of regret. He said, "I have many old friends in the Heavenly Court. If I leave now, it might take many years for them to come to the Heavenly Court to see me again."

"Those friends of yours are just fair-weather companions, only interested in banquets and fleeting pleasures. There's no need to cling to them!" The Martial Emperor, with the efficiency of God-King Gong Jun, said, "Letting go of them will actually be better for you. Once you reach the Four Pole Heavens, you'll be the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Emperor there. How joyous will that be?"

The Profound Emperor said, "The separation of the four Heavenly Palaces from the Heavenly Court is a grave matter, and there will likely be difficulties. My son, you will take charge of the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace as it flies out of the Heavenly Court and proceeds north along the Heavenly River. Your mother and I will remain in the Heavenly Court to oversee things, guard against any mischief, and escort your departure."

Prince Youming was very happy to be entrusted with such an important task.

The Martial Emperor, out of concern for her son, retrieved the Glazed Azure Sky Banner and handed it to him. She said, "This treasure was forged from our family's lifelong savings. With it, you can ward off all dangers on your journey north. Remember, do not lose it."

Prince Youming nodded quickly.

The Northern Emperor and his wife, having made their arrangements, exchanged a smile. Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar was heard. The Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace rumbled and shook, gradually rising, slowly detaching itself from the Heavenly Court's Sky Street, and ascending higher and higher.

Upon seeing this, the Great Sun Star Lord and other ancient gods were greatly alarmed. They immediately mobilized troops and dispatched generals to surround and intercept it.

At the same time, intense tremors were felt in the southern, western, and eastern parts of the Heavenly Court. To the disbelief of the gods of the Heavenly Court, the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace, White Tiger Heavenly Palace, and Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace also detached themselves from the Heavenly Court, rising higher and higher!

Many high-ranking officials in the Heavenly Court, including the Seven Dukes, Five Counselors, and Four Celestial Masters, swiftly flew towards the four Heavenly Palaces to seek audience with the Four Imperial Emperors and urge them to reconsider.

The Black Tortoise Northern Emperor and his wife stepped forward, feigning politeness while secretly manipulating their magical power to make the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace fly away from the Heavenly Court.

The Great Sun Star Lord rushed to the High Heaven Palace to report. At that moment, many Celestial Venerables and leaders of various clans were seated around the Heavenly Emperor, seemingly discussing important matters in a solemn atmosphere.

The Great Sun Star Lord quickly recounted the events. All the Celestial Venerables and clan leaders closed their eyes in deep thought, remaining silent.

The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor finally spoke, "I have important matters to discuss with several esteemed ministers, so I cannot personally go to dissuade them. Star Lord, mobilize the Heavenly River Naval Forces, the Four Great Sects, as well as the Heavenly Court's Ten Guards, Five Chariots, and the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend armies. Intercept their Heavenly Palaces first."

The Great Sun Star Lord bowed in affirmation.

The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, giving him the military token to mobilize the Heavenly Court's Ten Guards.

The Great Sun Star Lord left in a hurry.

Silence still filled the High Heaven Palace. After a long while, Heavenly Venerable Huo suddenly sneered, "If we continue to stalemate like this, the Four Imperial Emperors will all escape! The Ancient Gods must be killed, and not a single one of the Four Imperial Emperors can be left alive! Hand control of the Heavenly Emperor's physical body over to me. I will go and kill the Four Imperial Emperors. I don't want this body; I'll return it to you after I've killed them. Let whoever wants it, take it!"

Everyone sneered in response.

Heavenly Venerable Huo flew into a rage, suddenly withdrew the primordial spirit he had hidden within the Heavenly Emperor's physical body, and stood up, declaring, "I'm going to kill the Southern Emperor!"

The Son of Heaven of the Underworld hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll go check on the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace."

The two departed one after another.

The remaining individuals remained unmoving.

Heavenly Venerable Yun suddenly spoke, "This stalemate is not working. I have a proposal. Let's take turns being the Heavenly Emperor. We can each serve in rotation, keeping each other in check, and establish regulations so that no one can monopolize the Heavenly Emperor's physical body!"

A moment later, Heavenly Venerable Hao smiled and said, "I agree."

Inside the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, Prince Youming immediately found Yan'er and the others, turning to Dragon Qilin with an ingratiating smile. "My wise brother, your insight is truly extraordinary, your vision unique, seeing through the Heavenly Court's situation at a glance. It's just that this time, my father and mother have entrusted me with escorting the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace to the Northern Pole Heaven, and I cannot manage it alone. I implore you, wise brother, and my cousin, to lend me a hand!"

Dragon Qilin and Yan'er exchanged glances. Yan'er was about to agree, but Dragon Qilin, looking troubled, said, "Our cultivation and strength are still not comparable to yours, Eldest Brother. How can we possibly help?"

Yan'er quickly stopped herself from speaking.

Dragon Qilin said with difficulty, "To be honest, I've witnessed heavenly secrets and studied divination, and I'm infallible in my calculations. Eldest Brother, your escort of the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace to the Northern Pole Heaven will surely be obstructed by the gods of the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court's Ten Guards, the Heavenly River Naval Forces, the Five Chariots, the Heavenly Dipper, the Earthly Fiend, the Heavenly Starry Constellation Gods..."

As he listed each army, Prince Youming's face twitched.

Dragon Qilin sighed, "If these armies attack, we absolutely cannot hold out. Without powerful treasures, let alone defending the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, it will be hard even to protect ourselves! Eldest Brother, please let us leave the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, and we'll each return to our homes."

Prince Youming quickly grabbed his hand and chuckled, "Wise brother, cousin! You can't go back even if you want to! The Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace and Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace have already flown out of the Heavenly Court. Where would you go? We, the Four Imperial Emperors' lineage, are united and have been friendly for generations. If you help me return to the Northern Pole Heaven, I will personally escort you back home then!"

He then said sheepishly, "I'm not good at leading armies or strategy. If the armies attack, I'll still need you, wise brother Dragon, to help me organize the disciples in the palace and arrange our formations."

Dragon Qilin hesitated.

Prince Youming said, "Don't believe me? Come with me!"

He led them to the palace gates, pointed into the distance, and said, "Look!"

Dragon Qilin and Yan'er looked towards the Heavenly Court, only to see massive Heavenly Palaces, each carrying thousands of halls and chambers, already sailing away from the Heavenly Court!

Besides the Palaces of the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors, several other grand Heavenly Palaces were also departing from the Heavenly Court, most likely those of the Heavenly Grandfather, Earth Mother, and Tu Bo.

—Without the suppression of these Heavenly Palaces, the Heavenly Court itself was slowly drifting upwards, showing a tendency to float out of the Primordial Realm!

Furthermore, they saw divine beings constantly flying back and forth within the Heavenly Court, conveying orders, and armies of gods and demons flying out from the Heavenly Court, pursuing these Heavenly Palaces.

Dragon Qilin's face turned pale. He stomped his foot and exclaimed, "Eldest Brother, you've put us in a terrible bind!"

Prince Youming offered a series of apologetic smiles. "I know I'm at fault. However, we're not without a chance of victory. Before they left, my father and mother gave me the Glazed Azure Sky Banner, entrusting me to guard the Heavenly Palace. This treasure is truly extraordinary, revered by the Heavenly Emperor as the greatest treasure under heaven! With this artifact, combined with your wisdom, wise brother, and my cousin's, we can surely turn misfortune into blessing!"

Dragon Qilin complained bitterly, "A mere treasure can stop the Heavenly Court's armies? Eldest Brother, you should abandon the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, take the treasure, and seize the opportunity to escape."

Prince Youming pulled them towards the High Heaven Palace within the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, chuckling, "That's because you haven't seen the Glazed Azure Sky Banner yet. If you did, you would certainly put your minds at ease!"