Chapter 1361: The Crown Prince and Longshan

Qin Mu never concealed any knowledge from the Dragon Qilin, whether it was something he learned, practiced, understood, knew, researched, or comprehended. Consequently, the Dragon Qilin possesses at least some understanding of various subjects.

Reverse Summoning, a divine art, was developed by Qin Mu as an improvement upon the Creator's original summoning technique.

The original summoning art uses powerful divine consciousness to pinpoint a location, summoning a giant beast to descend with oneself as the anchor point.

Reverse Summoning, on the other hand, does the opposite: it uses the giant beast as the anchor point to summon oneself to its side.

When Qin Mu first developed this divine art, Dragon Qilin and Yan'er were present, as were Ancestral Spirit Luoxiao, the Grand Emperor's incarnation Dahong, and the Celestial Emperor's incarnation Gu Xiao. Yet, only the Dragon Qilin was capable of assisting Qin Mu in designing and constructing the summoning altar.

The Dragon Qilin was the only one who mastered Reverse Summoning, and he subsequently taught it to Shu Jun. Shu Jun must have used it to summon First Ancestor, Lan Yutian, Xu Shenghua, and others, bringing them all to the backside of the Ancestral Court.

"They are all such troublesome individuals. Is that Long Xiao someone to trifle with? He possesses a physical body comparable to a Celestial Venerable!"

Qin Mu couldn't help but shake his head, realizing this must have been Shu Jun's ill-conceived plan. Shu Jun had always coveted Long Xiao, hoping to subdue him and make him his personal beast. However, lacking confidence to do it alone, he enlisted First Ancestor, Lan Yutian, Xu Shenghua, and the others.

"How long have they been gone?" Qin Mu asked.

"It's been three months."

"Three months?!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Mu became less anxious. He instructed everyone on the boat to disembark and rest. Wei Suifeng asked, "Junior Brother, aren't you going to rescue them?"

"They've been gone for three months. If they were going to die, they would have died already. If they've managed to survive on the backside of the Ancestral Court for three months, then they can certainly hold out for a while longer. There's no need to rush right now."

Qin Mu chuckled, "I need to make thorough preparations. If I rush in impulsively, I'll only end up sharing their fate."

Wei Suifeng fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a strained voice, "I was trapped on the ghost ship for so many years, constantly urging you to follow the map and rescue me, but you never came, nor did you follow any map. Was that the reason you just explained?"

Qin Mu burst into laughter and walked away, calling out cheerfully, "Elder Brother Tai Yi, Elder Sister Tai Yi, where are you? Your junior brother has come to pay his respects!"

Wei Suifeng's face darkened as he watched Qin Mu walk away, gritting his teeth and muttering, "That beast, Qin!"

"Indeed, a true beast!"

Prince Youming approached him, his gaze falling first on the Lapis Lazuli Azure Sky Pagoda, then on Yan'er, and finally settling on the Dragon Qilin. "You wicked pair, I've finally found you, Dragon Mountain Hermit!" he fumed.

The Dragon Qilin trembled in fear. He quickly turned his head, saw Prince Youming approaching, and instantly transformed into his Dragon Mountain Hermit form—a dragon head on a human body. He dropped to his knees with a thud and cried out, "I beg your forgiveness!"

Yan'er also hastily knelt beside the Dragon Qilin. "My husband and I apologize to you, Dao Brother," she said.

Prince Youming, furious, descended beside the two, but found himself unable to act against them.

While it was true that the Dragon Qilin and Yan'er had stolen the Lapis Lazuli Azure Sky Pagoda, leading to his suppression by Emperor Xuanwu and his wife for six hundred thousand years, they had also saved hundreds of thousands of Xuanwu tribesmen from the Xuanwu Heavenly Palace, thereby saving his own life.

More crucially, Emperor Xuanwu's suppression of Prince Youming was actually not primarily due to the theft of the Lapis Lazuli Azure Sky Pagoda. Instead, at that time, Prince Youming was surrounded by individuals like Yin Tianzi, who were constantly plotting to harm him, harm Emperor Xuanwu, and seize control of the Northern Heavens.

Had Prince Youming not been imprisoned, he would have died long ago.

His release from suppression was also thanks to Qin Mu's intercession. After breaking free and leaving the Northern Heavens, he encountered Yin Tianzi again on the Heavenly River and was nearly framed once more, almost being forced into the Celestial Emperor's harem.

Fortunately, the divine art Qin Mu had given him proved effective, allowing him to see through Yin Tianzi's schemes and avert a great calamity for the Northern Heavens.

"Please rise, both of you."

Prince Youming regained his composure, helped them to their feet, and smiled, "I apologize for my outburst just now. I was born into wealth and used to making friends through money, never truly understanding genuine friendship. It was only after coming to Yankang that I comprehended what friendship means. Although you took my Lapis Lazuli Azure Sky Pagoda, you also showed me great kindness, so there's no need for such formality."

The Dragon Qilin and Yan'er rose, and Prince Youming chuckled, "Though the Lapis Lazuli Azure Sky Pagoda is significant, its importance in my heart has diminished."

Wei Suifeng approached him and remarked, "Your Highness's mental state has advanced once more. You truly live up to your reputation as the most remarkable figure of the Dragon Han era."

During the Dragon Han era, when Prince Youming achieved the Emperor's Throne realm, there were no more than ten individuals at that level in the entire world. Highly renowned figures of later generations, such as Celestial Venerable Xiao, Celestial Venerable Hong, Celestial Venerable Gong, and Celestial Venerable Yan, were at that time still obscure and insignificant.

Back then, only a select few individuals could rival him, including Celestial Venerable Yun, Celestial Venerable Hao, Celestial Venerable Huo, Divine Emperor Lang Xuan, and Ancestor God King.

Emperor Xuanwu suppressed Prince Youming for six hundred thousand years. During that time, the once-insignificant figures who couldn't measure up to him have now become world-renowned Celestial Venerables, and even Yin Tianzi has ascended to a position of supreme authority as the ruler of the Northern Heavens.

To have endured such significant ups and downs yet still maintain such a composed mindset, Prince Youming's state of mind truly impressed Wei Suifeng.

Prince Youming chuckled, "Had I not been suppressed by Emperor Xuanwu, I wouldn't have survived until the end of the Dragon Han era, let alone become an existence like the Ten Celestial Venerables. The wisdom of the current Ten Celestial Venerables is far beyond my match; only someone like Celestial Venerable Mu can contend with them. A single conspiracy from them could bring eternal ruin upon me and the Northern Heavens. I know my limitations."

Reflecting on his six hundred thousand years of experiences, he was filled with profound emotion.

In those bygone days, many extraordinarily talented individuals, such as Prince Xie Wuqi and Celestial Venerable Yun, could rival him. Yet, even those with such great wisdom had perished.

He, a person of seemingly lesser wisdom, had survived, and he understood why.

Meanwhile, Qin Mu located Tai Yi, who was engaged in repairing the Great Black Mountain.

Tai Yi now appeared ancient and frail, yet exuded a wonderfully primeval aura, like the very Dao—ancient and weathered, but brimming with an unending new vitality amidst its age.

Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he smiled, "Dao Brother, are you ready to meet Heaven Duke and Earth Count?"

Tai Yi appeared gaunt, his eyes empty and devoid of any discernible thoughts, conveying an impression of profound stillness and void. "Yes, I can meet them now," he said.

Qin Mu let out a sigh of relief and bowed. "Thank you, Dao Brother," he said.

Tai Yi shook his head. "I am not seeing them for your sake, but for my own reasons. I will use your palace for our meeting."

"Dao Brother, feel free to use it," Qin Mu replied.

Outside the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, Qin Mu performed a divine art, and a Heavenly and Earthly Profound Gate rose from the ground. Moments later, the gate swung open from within, and Earth Count's primordial spirit emerged, bowing to Qin Mu.

Qin Mu returned the bow.

Next, Heaven Duke's primordial spirit stepped out of the gate and also bowed to Qin Mu. Qin Mu returned the gesture, saying, "Dao Brother Tai Yi is already awaiting both of you."

Heaven Duke and Earth Count exchanged glances, then, with the reverence of disciples, respectfully entered the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, following Qin Mu towards the heart of the Great Black Wood.

Suddenly, a bell-like resonance, as if cleaving heaven and earth, reverberated. Qin Mu, Heaven Duke, and Earth Count looked up, their minds profoundly shaken. They beheld an immeasurably ancient, lush tree suspended in the cosmos. Beneath the tree, a magnificent, opulent hall shimmered with countless divine rays, and streams of Dao light, like surging springs, upheld the grand edifice.

The three of them expressed their admiration, then, with a pilgrim's reverence, approached the hall. They began ascending the steps, their ears filled with various Dao sounds, resonating like profound bells.