Chapter 1259: Haotianzun Has Three Hideouts

From a distance, Qin Mu and Bai Yuqiong observed the Heavenly Court's forces divided into two camps. One was led by Emperor Chi Xiayu, one of the Four Emperors, while the other was commanded by Heavenly King Xi Muhong, one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

On the other side stood Kaihuang's three Heavenly Masters: the First Heavenly Master, the Woodcutter Saint; the Second Heavenly Master, Yan Yunxi; and the Third Heavenly Master, Martial Combat Heavenly Master Zhuo Cha, each accompanied by their mounts.

In addition, Patriarch Xiuzhong and Patriarch Cannü, leaders of the Beyond Creators, were also present.

Each of these groups brought a contingent of gods and devils, but they had suffered severe casualties. Xiuzhong and Cannü also led some Creators, though they too had sustained losses; many must have died en route, and another group perished upon entering the Grand Void Devil Realm.

Only the Woodcutter, Yan Yunxi, and Martial Combat Heavenly Master had not brought any formidable experts from Wuyou Township.

When Bai Yuqiong saw Yan Yunxi, her eyes flashed with anger. However, because she and Qin Mu were there to eliminate Hao Tianzun, it was impractical to reveal themselves, so they used spatial techniques to remain hidden.

Protected by her spatial divine ability, Qin Mu confidently opened the vertical eye in his forehead to survey the surroundings, but then his heart suddenly tensed.

Under the scrutiny of his third divine eye, every detail of the Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun's head became perfectly clear. The ancient god's Great Dao rune imprints were no longer present within it.

"This means Hao Tianzun took these imprints and used them to set up protective formations around himself, utilizing the Great Dao rune imprints of the ancient gods."

Qin Mu thought, "He knew he was severely wounded, so someone would certainly try to kill him. Even his former allies likely wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity. As expected of a Celestial Venerable, to still have a contingency plan despite such grave injuries, his mind is incredibly meticulous."

The four groups each ascended the head of Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun and began searching. The Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun's head, resembling a mountain range, was the Heavenly Court's most powerful weapon, yet at this moment, it possessed not an ounce of power.

Moreover, monsters formed from inner demons were gnawing at the head's flesh!

The groups eliminated the inner demons and traversed the mountain-like head. Ahead, they saw numerous divine mountains shrouded in mist, with divine light, like rosy clouds, permeating the valleys.

While other areas of the Grand Void Devil Realm were terrifying and gloomy, this place resembled a sacred dwelling, indescribably magnificent and beautiful.

Four canyons lay ahead, each appearing to lead in a different direction.

Radiant light shimmered, enveloping the sky above these four canyons. The ethereal glow in the air resembled an aurora.

Remarkably, not a single inner demon was present here, which was indescribably strange.

Heavenly King Xi pondered for a moment, then dispatched a divine general to fly overhead. The general hovered in the air, looking down, and called out, "Heavenly King, the divine light here is too dense; it obscures the mountains below, preventing me from seeing what's inside!"

Heavenly King Xi commanded, "Go down and investigate!"

The divine general assented and flew into the divine light. Instantly, his flesh dissolved, and his primordial spirit disintegrated. Without even a groan, he was reduced to a pile of shattered bones that fell from the light.

A chill ran through everyone. They gazed at the divine light in the canyons ahead, hesitating to proceed.

The Woodcutter Saint called out loudly, "These divine mountains and luminous mists are formed from the Great Dao runes within the Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun's head; everyone must be extremely cautious!"

Everyone turned to look, their gazes fixed on him, their expressions peculiar.

The Woodcutter Saint was the First Heavenly Master of Kaihuang's Heavenly Court and a mortal enemy of the current Heavenly Court's forces. He possessed immense wisdom; indeed, his astonishing ability allowed him to discern the strangeness of this place long before anyone else.

But why would the Woodcutter so kindly inform them of the dangers, allowing them to prepare in advance?

Heavenly King Xi suddenly snorted with a laugh, "I don't believe a word you say! You old scoundrel are clearly up to no good, surely plotting something malicious in secret!"

The Woodcutter Saint chuckled, "Everyone here shares the same objective. Far from being enemies, we are friends, so it's only natural that I inform you all of the dangers."

Everyone's eyes flickered, and they remained quiet.

Heavenly King Xi chuckled, "When has 'Chicken Thief' ever been so benevolent? I've been harmed by you before; I don't trust you."

Nevertheless, he still inquired, "Chicken Thief, can you discern which canyon Hao Tianzun is trapped within?"

The Woodcutter Saint paid no attention to the nickname 'Chicken Thief'. He said, "Heavenly King, a Celestial Venerable's intentions are difficult to predict. What virtue or ability do I possess to rashly guess Hao Tianzun's mind? However, since Hao Tianzun has created these four canyons, his actions are already manifest, and thus his intentions can be surmised."

He thoroughly examined the four canyons, then smiled. "The paths here appear to be only four, but in reality, there are eight."

Everyone looked on in surprise. Even Emperor Chi Xiayu, Heavenly King Xi, and Yan Yunxi could not discern the location of the other four canyons.

Martial Combat Heavenly Master Zhuo Cha had no chance of seeing them, and the Creators Xiuzhong and Cannü, with their limited understanding of external divine abilities, naturally couldn't discern them either.

From a distance, Bai Yuqiong also failed to see where the other four canyons were hidden. She quickly turned to Qin Mu and asked, "Shepherd Celestial Venerable, have you seen them? I heard you are a disciple of 'Chicken Thief'... Wentiange, so you must have mastered his abilities!"

Qin Mu shook his head, indignant. "That old scoundrel never taught me anything!"

Bai Yuqiong asked doubtfully, "That can't be true, can it? Wentiange wouldn't be so partial."

Qin Mu muttered, "He wanted to teach me later, but my pride flared up at the time, and after some sarcastic remarks, I never learned."

Bai Yuqiong stared, wide-eyed, then carefully advised, "Chicken Thief... Wentiange's skills are still worth learning. During Kaihuang's era, he taught countless disciples, each achieving extraordinary renown across the world. Even the divinities of the Heavenly Court spoke highly of him."

Qin Mu's face darkened, and he remained silent.

The Woodcutter Saint produced several small flags, walked forward, and explained, "These canyons and mountains are formed from the Great Dao runes on Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun's head. However, each canyon originates from a different direction; they are, in fact, manifestations of Divine Weapon Yu Tianzun's seven orifices."

He drew runes on the flags and unhurriedly planted one at each of the four visible canyon entrances. He elaborated, "Eyes, ears, mouth, nose. The two eyes transform into two canyons, the two ears into two canyons, the two nostrils into two canyons, and the mouth into one canyon."

As he placed the four flags, the runes on them gradually lit up, casting their glow into the four canyons.

As the runes' light pierced the canyons, the luminous mists at the entrances suddenly adhered to the cliffs on both sides, like streams of light racing from the opening deep into the canyons!

After the four streams of light passed, the stone walls on both sides of the four canyons were revealed to be covered in Great Dao runes!

A resonant hum filled the air—

Four distinct tremors emanated from the deepest parts of the four canyons, and before everyone's eyes, the other three canyons emerged!

Everyone stared at the scene, dumbfounded. Suddenly, Heavenly King Xi exclaimed, "Wait, Chicken Thief, there are only seven canyons here! Where is the eighth one you mentioned?"

The Woodcutter Saint then produced three more small flags, drew runes on them, and planted them before the other three newly revealed canyons. Three more streaks of light flashed through these canyons.

Following three more tremors, the eighth canyon materialized.

The Woodcutter Saint clapped his hands and declared, "The eighth canyon has appeared. This eighth canyon is Hao Tianzun's hiding place."

Observing this scene, Bai Yuqiong turned to Qin Mu and said, "Shepherd Celestial Venerable, you really should have learned that!"