Chapter 1375: Mutual Restraint

"Words can be terrifying; rumors are like arrows that can kill."

Wei Suifeng, being the more mature one, whispered to Prince Youming, "Prince, this matter must not be spoken of. I know you feel for Earth Mother Yuanjun's death, and I know you understand Heavenly Venerate Mu's intentions and actions. However, in the future, when peace returns to the world, many will criticize Heavenly Venerate Mu, which will ultimately ruin his reputation and good name. It's best to keep this hidden from everyone."

Prince Youming hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Qin Mu shook his head. "Senior Brother, it can't be kept secret. There are traces of our battle here, and Long Xiao, Consort Qiang, Heavenly Venerate Gong, and God Emperor Lang Xuan were also present. How could they not speak of it? There's no need to be so nervous; I've done what I've done, so why should I fear what others say?"

Wei Suifeng frowned. Though Qin Mu's words were true, when heroic deeds are not understood, and when the mindset of future generations diverges from the realities of wartime, people will still comment on and criticize the actions of their predecessors and revered elders.

The brilliance of these predecessors was too dazzling, but the more prominent a figure, the clearer their flaws appeared. Even a minor blemish would be magnified, like a fly buzzing and licking at a wound on a brave warrior.

Wei Suifeng had witnessed such situations countless times.

Prince Youming, having experienced too little of the world, did not understand why such things occurred. Qin Mu, for his part, was indifferent, yet Wei Suifeng felt a sense of injustice on Qin Mu's behalf.

"The battle of the Heavenly Venerates, it must be nearing its end now, right?"

Qin Mu ascended to the summit of the highest divine mountain nearby, looking out into the distance. Prince Youming and Wei Suifeng joined him, and the three gazed towards the horizon.

In the distance, Heavenly Venerate Gong, God Emperor Lang Xuan, Consort Qiang, and Long Xiao were still locked in a fierce battle. Consort Qiang had initially been at a disadvantage, but with the aid of the Great Emperor's head and fist, she immediately gained the upper hand. Her sudden assault caused Heavenly Venerate Gong, Long Xiao, and God Emperor Lang Xuan to repeatedly vomit blood.

Although the Great Emperor's head possessed little actual power, its cultivation having been severely depleted by Qin Mu to only that of an Emperor's Throne realm, its divine consciousness remained exceptionally formidable.

His fist was also the sole surviving limb of the Great Emperor's physical body; it was not a mere visualization, which accounted for its immense power.

However, Consort Qiang soon found herself at a significant disadvantage again. Targeted by Heavenly Venerate Gong, Long Xiao, and God Emperor Lang Xuan, she was gravely wounded once more by the combined assault of the three Heavenly Venerate-level beings.

A peculiar situation then unfolded: whoever was stronger or less injured would be jointly attacked by the others.

Yet, this dynamic led to all four being severely wounded, with no one able to claim ultimate victory.

"Could we potentially take advantage of this situation?"

Wei Suifeng's heart pounded wildly as he murmured, "If all four of them are severely wounded and left with little strength, could the three of us join forces and eliminate them?"

As soon as he uttered these words, Prince Youming's heart also began to pound, his dao heart feeling somewhat unstable.

Qin Mu shook his head. "If all four are severely injured, then the ultimate victor will be Long Xiao. Heavenly Venerate Gong, God Emperor Lang Xuan, and Consort Qiang have all lived since the primordial era; they would never give Long Xiao such an opportunity."

Wei Suifeng paused, slightly taken aback, then immediately understood Qin Mu's meaning.

Prince Youming, however, still seemed somewhat puzzled. Wei Suifeng explained, "This is the back of the Ancestral Court. Even if Long Xiao is injured, he still commands countless colossal beasts. If Heavenly Venerate Gong and the others are too gravely wounded, Long Xiao could control those primordial beasts to attack them, wearing them down until they perish, even if only by attrition."

Prince Youming suddenly understood. "The Ten Heavenly Venerates are incredibly shrewd; they would never allow themselves to fall into such a predicament."

"However, they have found themselves in such a situation before."

Wei Suifeng glanced at Qin Mu. "When the Great Emperor and Heavenly Venerate Hao both suffered severe losses, someone took advantage. I heard that Junior Brother once pursued Heavenly Venerate Hao for 600,000 miles, hunting him down until he had no refuge left."

Qin Mu felt quite pleased and chuckled. "Actually, it's not Heavenly Venerate Hao's fault. At that time, he was fighting for his life against the newly resurrected Great Emperor and had no choice but to unleash all his power. If he had won, wielding the might of having defeated the Great Emperor, who would dare to oppose him? The Ten Heavenly Venerates would all have submitted to him without question, and his position would have been secure."

Wei Suifeng asked, "What about the Ancestral Court refining the Great Emperor's head?"

"That was the Great Emperor being utterly overwhelmed by the Four Heavenly Venerates," Qin Mu replied. "Even if he had been at his peak, not just in his weakened state, he would still have been crushed by them. If he hadn't fled quickly, not even his head would have remained."

Qin Mu chuckled, "Taking advantage of opportunities isn't that easy."

As they spoke, several violent tremors suddenly erupted. Long Xiao, severely wounded, rose into the air, whistled away, and fled into the distance.

His injuries were extremely severe; seven of his nine heads had their necks broken, dangling limply, and his dragon scales were almost entirely shattered. He had no choice but to flee.

Continuing the fight would have damaged his essence.

No sooner had he fled than Consort Qiang suddenly chuckled. She abandoned Heavenly Venerate Gong and God Emperor Lang Xuan, swiftly soaring higher and higher, forming a reverse summoning altar in mid-air.

Qin Mu's expression subtly darkened.

Consort Qiang's ability to learn the reverse summoning divine art undoubtedly stemmed from Shu Jun and Dragon Qilin. Shu Jun, who had been carrying the great seal used by Qin Mu to suppress the Great Emperor's head, was influenced by the Great Emperor's divine consciousness.

Thus, when Dragon Qilin taught Shu Jun the reverse summoning divine art, the Great Emperor also learned it.

"I implore you two, do not expose my identity!"

Consort Qiang ascended higher and higher, as the reverse summoning altar activated, pulling her form towards the front of the Ancestral Court. Her coquettish laughter drifted down from above: "Because if you expose my identity, I will reveal yours as well! Heavenly Venerate Hao will certainly be delighted to eliminate his half-brother, and the ancient gods will surely be pleased to wipe out the surviving Creators! You mother and son can chat amongst yourselves later!"

Heavenly Venerate Gong and God Emperor Lang Xuan's expressions subtly shifted. However, Consort Qiang's threats were nothing new to them; among the Ten Heavenly Venerates, who didn't possess some unspeakable secret?

Not a single one of the Ten Heavenly Venerates was entirely innocent, including Heavenly Venerate Huo and Heavenly Venerate Hao. Everyone harbored secrets, and possessing knowledge of another's secret could simply serve as a threat, without necessarily having to expose it.

Heavenly Venerate Gong and God Emperor Lang Xuan each ceased their attacks, looking at one another with complex expressions.

"Mother, I often resent why you are a Creator."

God Emperor Lang Xuan retreated, runes swirling around his body; he was also performing a reverse summoning divine art.

He had not learned the reverse summoning divine art from Qin Mu, but rather had obtained the summoning divine art from Earth Mother Yuanjun and deduced its reverse form himself.

"If you hadn't been a Creator, the Celestial Emperor wouldn't have killed you, and I wouldn't be a bastard."

His reverse summoning divine art differed slightly from Qin Mu's but was equally profound. His runes formed chains of dao, which seemed to engulf him like countless entwined goose feathers.

"Throughout my life, even though I knew I possessed an incredibly noble status, because of your identity, I was forced to conceal my own. For if I were exposed, I would surely die!"

God Emperor Lang Xuan's form vanished, but his voice lingered: "I should have been the Crown Prince; this world should have been mine! Heavenly Venerate Hao, Xie Wuqi – they are all mere younger brothers; only I am the legitimate heir! It's all because of you that I was forced to live in anonymity as a bastard…"

Heavenly Venerate Gong remained silent, watching him depart without attempting to stop him.

"I truly should not have given birth to you." She flicked her sleeve, then also used the reverse summoning divine art to depart from the back of the Ancestral Court.

She returned to the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, observing that the sand in the hourglass had not yet fully fallen. Heavenly Venerate Gong retrieved the hourglass, then gracefully floated away under the gazes of Lan Yutian, Xu Shenghua, and others.

---- Happy Birthday, Xingji Yulin! :)