Chapter 1280: Misfortune Diverted Eastward

Qin Mu's expression was grim. Protected by the physical bodies of the Empress and Consort, he left, holding the Grand Primordium Egg.

The Grand Primordium Egg whispered, "How strong will the Grand Emperor become once he obtains the Primordial Stone?"

"I don't know. However, back then, all the Ancient Gods joined forces to eliminate the Grand Emperor. Yet, it was ultimately Divine King Gongyun who achieved it by shattering the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone in his brow."

Qin Mu put away the physical bodies of the Empress and Consort and mused, "Even then, the Grand Emperor didn't die. It was only later, when Heavenly Venerate Yun ambushed him, that his physical body was finally killed."

The Grand Primordium within the egg was silent for a moment, then said, "So, now that he has the Primordial Stone, can anyone still control him?"

Qin Mu flipped his palm, and the Primordial Stone appeared in his hand. He stared at it and said in a low voice, "Yes. The Primordial Stone I possess was never complete. The part I gave to the Grand Emperor only accounts for half of the true Primordial Stone. The Grand Emperor is not in his peak state. That person can still subdue him."

The Grand Primordium within the egg was slightly startled, but Qin Mu did not reveal who that person was. Instead, he put the Grand Primordium Egg back into the Qin Continent.

A day later, Qin Mu arrived at the North Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court.

Outside the North Heavenly Gate, an army composed of demons was preparing to depart. At the forefront was a Dark Heavenly Palace, completely enveloped in darkness that even light could not dispel.

"Heavenly Venerate Mu!"

The master of the Dark Heavenly Palace was none other than the Demon Ancestor Great Black Heaven of the Primordial Realm. Upon seeing Qin Mu, he hurried forward to greet him.

Qin Mu did not enter the Dark Heavenly Palace. Instead, he stood outside and asked, "Demon Ancestor, where are you heading?"

Although Great Black Heaven had some past grievances with him, he treated Qin Mu respectfully and courteously, saying, "Reporting to Heavenly Venerate, the Heavenly Court has ordered me to proceed to Taixu Land. I've heard there's an outbreak of demon tides, wreaking havoc upon the world, with inner demons running rampant. As the ancestor of the Demon Race, I possess a way to control inner demons, so the Heavenly Court has commanded me to quell the rebellion."

Qin Mu pondered for a moment.

As an Emperor's Throne realm existence in the Primordial Realm, Great Black Heaven possessed extremely high cultivation and power. Furthermore, as the ancestor of the Demon Race born in Youdu, embodying its demonic nature and energy, he indeed held extraordinary abilities against the inner demons of Taixu Land. The Heavenly Court dispatched him to Taixu Land precisely because he was the 'demon among demons.'

Great Black Heaven observed Qin Mu's expression for a moment, then asked, "Heavenly Venerate is intimately familiar with Taixu Land. Since my journey is imminent, I wonder if you have any advice for me?"

Qin Mu replied, "Indeed, I have a piece of advice. You should handle the inner demons from the rear. There's no need to go to the front lines. In Taixu Youdu, the Emperor of Youdu is confronting the God Son of Youdu, who possesses immense divine powers. You are no match for him. Should you venture deep into the front lines, you will surely suffer harm."

Great Black Heaven expressed his gratitude, saying, "I shall remember Heavenly Venerate's words."

Qin Mu nodded and watched him lead the demon army away.

Shortly after, Qin Mu arrived before Heavenly Venerate Xiao's Heavenly Palace.

The disciple guarding the gate quickly found Heavenly Venerate Xiao, presenting the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone. He said, "Heavenly Venerate Mu instructed me to deliver this treasure to you, stating that it was borrowed in the past and is now returned to its rightful owner. Please do not take offense."

Heavenly Venerate Xiao held the Primordial Stone, surprised. "He actually has such kindness, willing to return this treasure to me? Has this brat finally come to his senses?"

Pleased to have recovered the lost Primordial Stone, Heavenly Venerate Xiao put it away, chuckling, "However, he still withheld some; he's still selfish. He stole more than just this back then. Where is Heavenly Venerate Mu?"

The disciple replied, "Heavenly Venerate Mu has already left. Before departing, Heavenly Venerate Mu also instructed me to inform you that the Grand Emperor has revived and snatched the remaining Primordial Stone from him."

Heavenly Venerate Xiao's face turned ashen. He furiously flung the Primordial Stone he held, cursing, "I thought this scoundrel had finally found some kindness, but it turns out he's just shifting his troubles onto me! Bastard! Damn him! May his entire clan be annihilated!"

He laughed hysterically in anger, his curses incessant.

The disciple cowered, unsure what method Heavenly Venerate Mu had used to provoke his master to such fury.

Heavenly Venerate Xiao stood up and paced back and forth, his expression constantly shifting.

He walked to the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, hesitated for a moment, then picked it up. He had to obtain the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone no matter what, even if it meant clashing with the Grand Emperor; he wouldn't hesitate!

Qin Mu sending the remaining Primordial Stone was intended to provoke a conflict between him and the Grand Emperor, using his hand to suppress the Grand Emperor. Although he saw through Qin Mu's scheme, he still had to contend with the Grand Emperor according to Qin Mu's wishes.

"That stinking brat, scheming against me! Ruthless, truly sinister!" Heavenly Venerate Xiao suddenly burst out laughing. He waved his hand, dismissing the disciple, and murmured, "The Grand Beginning Primordial Stone must be gathered at all costs. However, when the Primordial Stone shattered back then, the other fragments vanished. Those fragments must have fallen into the hands of those old acquaintances. They are also scheming against me, not wanting me to become the true Grand Primordium, restricting my power..."

He looked up, his eyes glinting, and whispered, "The true Grand Primordium would be my power combined with the Grand Emperor's power. How could it be limited by a mere Divine Treasure Heavenly Palace system? How could it be restricted by a mere Heavenly Court realm? Alas, a portion of the Primordial Stone's power and divine consciousness went to the Creation Masters and the Grand Emperor. Even if I gather all the Primordial Stones, it won't make me complete. And that scoundrel, the Grand Emperor, even ambushed me, making the Creation Masters sacrifice me, severing my method of refining and absorbing the Primordial Stone's power, preventing me from growing into the true Grand Primordium..."

"For years, I've pondered a solution and found a way: kill all the Creation Masters and let their divine consciousness return to the world."

Heavenly Venerate Xiao looked at the Primordial Stone in his hand: "Capture the Grand Emperor, then refine the Grand Emperor and the Divine Consciousness Great Luo Heaven – that's the second step. Gather all the Primordial Stones and refine them – that's the third step. Once these three steps are accomplished, I will be the true Grand Primordium."

Barely containing his excitement, he murmured, "My grudge with the Grand Emperor has persisted from the primordial era until now. With a part of the Primordial Stone now in my hands and another part in his, the time to resolve our feud must be approaching! I truly look forward to it..."

Qin Mu returned from the Heavenly Court to the Primordial Realm, arriving back in Yan Kang.

Without the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, he felt his divine consciousness had lost its original vibrancy. Although his divine consciousness cultivation remained, its explosive power and intensity were significantly diminished compared to before.

"The longer one cultivates using the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, the deeper their entanglement with Heavenly Emperor Grand Primordium becomes. Sending this Primordial Stone away might not be a bad thing after all." He exhaled slowly, though a hint of regret lingered in his heart.

"I still have a Grand Ultimate Primordial Stone. Since I no longer have the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, I wonder what effect using the Grand Ultimate Primordial Stone to replace the pupil of my vertical eye would have?"

He acted on the thought immediately, taking out the Grand Ultimate Primordial Stone and intending to insert it into the opening on the Qin Continent. At the center of the Qin Continent was a large opening, like the pupil of an eye. It had originally held the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, but now it was empty, and the power of his divine eye was greatly diminished.

The Ancient God within the Grand Primordium Egg laughed, "You've only just rid yourself of the Grand Beginning Primordial Stone, and now you intend to stir up trouble with the Grand Ultimate Primordial Stone? The Ancient God in the Grand Ultimate mineral vein hasn't been excavated. He's been absorbing power from the vein for years and is incredibly strong. While using his Primordial Stone might enhance your power, you'll likely incur his wrath!"

"Brother Grand Primordium, what you say makes a lot of sense."

Qin Mu thought for a moment. A surge of magic flew out, picked up the Grand Primordium Egg, and inserted it into the opening on the Qin Continent.

The Grand Primordium Egg was stuck in the opening, unable to move. It said angrily, "Heavenly Venerate Mu, you're picking a fight with me!"

— Happy Birthday to Alliance Leader Su Wen!