Chapter 1143: Ancestor Court Opens

The Ancestral Court.

Vast and ancient, it was filled with divine mountains and treasures. Any single item found there would be valuable enough to cause a frenzy in the outside world. Yet, this place was incredibly desolate, inhabited only by massive Void Beasts. They lurked in this ancient, primitive realm, resting, breeding, fighting, and devouring everything in their sight.

Then, on this day, all the Void Beasts suddenly sensed something. They raised their heads, gazing at the sky, where a rift had abruptly appeared.

Simultaneously, the Void Matriarch, residing in the Nineteenth Void, also opened her eyes, looking towards the rift in the sky.

Around her were countless Void Beast eggs, millions, even tens of millions, densely covering the Nineteenth Void of the Ancestral Court.

A rustling sound emanated as the Void Matriarch's bone membrane vibrated. Countless Void Beasts became agitated, soaring into the sky and rushing towards the rift.

The rift grew progressively larger but stopped expanding once it reached a certain size. From the Ancestral Court's perspective, one could see the brilliant starry sky and the vibrant outer world.

A dense swarm of giant Void Beasts flew towards the rift like locusts, emitting soul-stirring roars. The first Void Beast to reach the rift plunged in, attempting to escape the Ancestral Court. However, no sooner had it entered than its body suddenly exploded, its flesh and blood dissolving.

More giant Void Beasts frantically threw themselves into the rift, turning into exploding blood flowers within the massive opening, a truly spectacular sight.

In just a short moment, tens of thousands of Void Beasts perished in the rift, their blood staining it crimson.

From the outside, looking towards the Ancestral Court, it appeared as a bleeding wound on the universe.

Suddenly, from the depths of the void, the Void Matriarch let out a muffled, astonishing roar. The other giant Void Beasts ceased their frantic rush into the rift. Instead, they clung to its edges like bats, using their powerful bodies and sharp claws to try and tear the opening wider!

However, this was a seal from the Primordial Era, forcefully imposed by all the ancient gods who had combined their powers, using the reverse sides of various worlds. It was simply not something they could break!

In the Heavenly Court, Heavenly Venerate Xiao's expression was grim.

The Heavenly Court was a crucial part of the Ancestral Court's seal. He alone could not fully repair it, and with many ancient gods having died or been injured, Heavenly Duke and Earth Count would not cooperate with him.

With the Ancestral Court's seal loosened, there was no longer any possibility of repairing it.

All he could do now was prevent the seal from expanding further.

However, with the Ancestral Court's seal cracked, its location would inevitably be discovered by the world, allowing this buried history to gradually resurface for all to see.

"Besides that history," he murmured to himself, "there's also immense terror and world-ending power, all of which will likely leak from the Ancestral Court..."

Almost at the same time, the Heavenly Court's divine demon army in the Great Void also sensed that peculiar tremor. The divine demon soldiers, who were marching and preparing to attack the Great Void, all turned their heads to look towards the Heavenly Court.

Heavenly Venerate Hong's heart stirred slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He said in a deep voice, "Something has happened in the Heavenly Court, everyone. This must be the rebel Emperor Kai attacking the Heavenly Court; we must be on guard! I'll go back and check!"

Emperor Langxuan, Ancestral God-King, and the others couldn't help but be surprised. Heavenly Venerate Hong, along with Heavenly Venerate Huo, had been the most proactive in attacking the Great Void. Why, then, was Heavenly Venerate Hong suddenly so eager to return, now that they had reached the Great Void?

Heavenly Venerate Gong said indifferently, "I'll also make a trip back. Friend Hong, let's go together."

Heavenly Venerate Hong's expression subtly changed; he seemed somewhat reluctant to travel with her. He gave a dry laugh, then suddenly transformed into a streak of light and fled far away.

Heavenly Venerate Gong's figure transformed into a long rainbow and followed closely.

Emperor Langxuan, Ancestral God-King, Heavenly Venerate Xu, Heavenly Venerate Huo, and the others exchanged glances. Emperor Langxuan coughed and chuckled, "Friend Hong and Friend Gong have always been at odds. When I first met them, Friend Gong was severely beating Friend Hong. Their journey together is bound to lead to trouble. I'll follow to mediate." With that, he also leaped away.

Ancestral God-King hastily followed, calling out, "When they fight, they spare no one! Friend Langxuan won't be able to handle it alone; I'll go help!"

Heavenly Venerate Xu frowned, looking at Heavenly Venerate Huo, and said, "Heavenly Venerate Hong and Heavenly Venerate Gong have mysterious origins, while Langxuan and Ancestral God-King are ancient figures who have existed since the Primordial Era and survived to this day. These four left because they know many secrets. What's happening in the Heavenly Court is certainly not as simple as Heavenly Venerate Qin merely attacking it. Heavenly Venerate Huo, why aren't you going back?"

Heavenly Venerate Huo said softly, "If you're not leaving, how could I bear to go?"

Heavenly Venerate Xu said coldly, "I have no interest in you."

Heavenly Venerate Huo walked beside her, smiling. "Among the ten Heavenly Venerates of the Heavenly Court, only you and I are truly pure. Great Emperor and Heavenly Emperor are hidden among them, and Primordial beings are stirring. It's hard to tell who is loyal and who is treacherous. If you and I were to become partners, we could advance and retreat together, increasing our chances of success."

Heavenly Venerate Xu stopped, a seemingly sarcastic smile on her face. "Heavenly Venerate Huo," she said, "haven't you always been aligned with Heavenly Venerate Hao's faction? Are you not afraid of Heavenly Venerate Hao knowing that you're saying these things to me?"

Heavenly Venerate Huo said seriously, "I admire you. If we were to become close, Heavenly Venerate Hao would only value me more. You are half-god and also half-human."

Heavenly Venerate Xu scoffed, continuing to walk. "I am half-god," she said. "What I can't understand is that you are clearly a human Heavenly Venerate, yet you are more zealous than anyone in suppressing human forces. You were there when Heavenly Venerate Yun was besieged. When Emperor Ming was annihilated, you also sent your army. When Heavenly Venerate Yue and Heavenly Venerate Ling were killed and the Emperor Era was suppressed, you were also at the forefront. You are surely too harsh on your own race."

Heavenly Venerate Huo's expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "For the future and lives of humanity, I had no choice but to act. They simply cannot contend with the Heavenly Court, with the gods, or with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. They desperately fought for humanity's survival but failed to recognize a reality: humanity could never win and must rely on powerful authority to survive."

His gaze deepened as he looked into the distance. "For their own selfish desires, they were willing to risk all human lives," he continued. "I asked the people in my jurisdiction; everyone was living well, and no one wanted to rebel! Those with different principles cannot work together. Even if they were once my best friends, I would never show mercy or allow them to ruin my human race!"

Heavenly Venerate Xu glanced at him. "So," she said, "you were also the most invested in this expedition to the Great Void, the first to come here to kill Heavenly Venerate Qin and destroy Carefree Village."

Flames blazed behind Heavenly Venerate Huo's head, forming a rotating halo of light. "He seeks fame through deceitful means," he declared. "I cannot allow him to drag my human race into eternal doom! His alliance with the ancient gods is a road of no return; he will only become a dog kept by the ancient gods! If he succeeds, humanity will become dogs to the ancient gods just like him, and it will be impossible to have the life we have now! I tried to persuade him, but he insisted on having his own way. Since that is the case, I will end his sinful life to prevent him from committing more mistakes!"

Heavenly Venerate Xu couldn't help but ask, "What about Heavenly Venerate Mu?"

Heavenly Venerate Huo was puzzled.

"When Heavenly Venerate Mu ascended to the Heavenly Court," she continued, "three Heavenly Venerates secretly protected him in the Jade Pool. You were among them, weren't you?"

Heavenly Venerate Xu sneered, "You're just two-faced."

Heavenly Venerate Huo shook his head. "Then you are mistaken," he said. "Among the ten Heavenly Venerates, I am the one who tolerates him the least. I cannot tolerate the slightest impurity!"

He clasped his hands behind his back. "Heavenly Venerate Mu is a greater menace than Qin Ye," he declared. "His words and actions are more deceptive. If he rises to power, humanity will face more than just eternal doom! For the future of humanity, I would naturally be the first to kill him. Furthermore, Heavenly Venerate Hao and I are closest friends; how could I betray Hao to save him? I was not among the three Heavenly Venerates who saved him that day."

He shook his head. "For humanity to survive," he continued, "these traitors and rebels must be eliminated, every single one! Every time I see the people of Eternal Peace being misled by these traitors and rebels, joining them in revolt, my heart aches. Isn't it better to just live? Unfortunately, back in the Great Void, I had a chance to kill him, but I foolishly hesitated for a moment because he had saved me, allowing me to escape from the realm of supreme divine consciousness two hundred years earlier. And so, I didn't kill him."

"However, in the Southern Polar Heaven," he said indifferently, "he also acted foolishly and severed ties with me. Next time I kill him, I will have no such reservations."

"You are loyal," Heavenly Venerate Xu chuckled, "but you are too harsh on your own people."

Suddenly, her expression subtly changed. She raised a hand, making the Heavenly Court army halt, and sneered, "The Youdu has actually been built here! How outrageous! A mere child dares to act as Earth Count here! Where does that leave me? Come out here!"