Chapter 1514: Dao Inquiry

As Qin Mu retreated to the small boat, the ten Celestial Venerables immediately spotted him, each lamenting inwardly, "That scoundrel is sly!"

"Celestial Venerable Mu, since you've come, why leave?"

Celestial Venerable Xiao's voice reached him. Qin Mu's feet landed on the small boat, and only then did he relax, smiling, "I saw you all like wolves and tigers, surrounding a young woman as beautiful as a flower. My heart was uneasy, and I didn't want to play the hero, so I had no choice but to retreat."

Ancestral God King snorted, "A young woman as beautiful as a flower... can the Grand Emperor be considered a young woman as beautiful as a flower? What a joke!"

"You despicable patricide, do you even deserve to comment on the Grand Emperor?" Qin Mu rebuked furiously.

Celestial Consort Qiang involuntarily felt a flicker of goodwill towards Qin Mu, thinking, "This scoundrel actually speaks up for justice on my behalf... Bah! This wretch is just muddying the waters!"

Ancestral God King was enraged and suddenly burst into laughter, "Heavenly Duke? Celestial Venerable Mu, don't forget, it was you who issued the order to subjugate the Heavenly Duke in front of everyone! Moreover, I am the Heavenly Duke now! Who dares to criticize me? Are they not afraid of never seeing the light of day? Offend me, and I'll cut off all sunlight and starlight for the entire world!"

Qin Mu smiled, "Ancestral Heavenly Duke truly has a magnanimous heart, unlike the Heavenly Duke who is so petty. Who said Celestial Consort Qiang is the Grand Emperor?"

He then changed his tone, indignantly stating, "When the Ten Celestial Venerables kill someone, don't you need evidence? Especially when it's a Celestial Venerable who has contributed to the world! Celestial Consort Qiang is an imperial consort and a Celestial Venerable; to kill her without concrete evidence is unreasonable and indefensible!"

Celestial Consort Qiang looked at him, thinking, "When did this fellow's words become so pleasing to the ear?"

Celestial Venerable Gong suddenly said, "Could Celestial Venerable Mu be sympathizing with his own kind? Are you afraid that after we eliminate the Grand Emperor, we'll turn around and eliminate you?"

Her words pierced through Qin Mu's true intentions. Qin Mu was indeed worried that after eliminating Celestial Consort Qiang, they would turn their attention to him, which was why he spoke up in her defense.

Defending Celestial Consort Qiang was defending himself.

If the Ten Celestial Venerables could tolerate the Grand Emperor, then tolerating a mere Celestial Venerable Mu would be no big deal.

Celestial Venerable Hao said indifferently, "Celestial Venerable Mu, I'm afraid you've guessed wrong. We stopped Celestial Consort Qiang to have her lead the way and explore the mysteries of Jade Capital City, not to kill her."

Qin Mu's heart skipped a beat; he understood his meaning.

Celestial Venerable Hao, Celestial Venerable Xiao, and the others had split into two groups, each entering the long chaotic river, attempting to reach the other side. However, they had all lost their way in the vast river.

They must have coincidentally encountered Celestial Consort Qiang and then tracked her to this location.

Their purpose in cornering Celestial Consort Qiang was naturally not to kill her, but because they saw another long chaotic river blocking their path ahead, they stopped her and forced her to lead the way!

Indeed, Celestial Venerable Xiao said with a half-smile, "Celestial Consort Qiang colluded with powerful beings from the past universe and deserves to die a thousand deaths; executing her is only right. However, she still has a use. We need to borrow her strength to cross this great chaotic river, explore the mysteries of this Jade Capital City, and save the common people from suffering."

"I didn't catch the fox, but I ended up with a foul smell myself." Qin Mu secretly regretted it.

A smile spread across Shi Qiluo's heavily bearded face, and he stuck out his tongue at Qin Mu. Qin Mu ignored him, thinking, "This time I've fallen, but not too badly. As long as I retreat into the long chaotic river, they won't be able to do anything to me..."

Celestial Venerable Huo sneered, "Celestial Venerable Mu, you spoke up to defend Celestial Consort Qiang; have you also colluded with the perfected beings from the past universe? I always knew you were this kind of traitorous and ungrateful scoundrel. I only regret not seeing your true colors sooner and eliminating you!"

Qin Mu smiled faintly, and the small boat beneath his feet began to drift backward.

Suddenly, Celestial Venerable Hao said calmly, "Brother Huo, there's no need to speak like that. Celestial Venerable Mu is, after all, the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Alliance. How could he betray the Heavenly Alliance? Betray the people? If he did, wouldn't he be betraying himself? Betraying the Heavenly Alliance he founded?"

Qin Mu paused, not expecting Celestial Venerable Hao to speak up for him.

Celestial Venerable Huo also hadn't expected this, and he bowed slightly, saying, "You are right, Brother Dao."

Celestial Venerable Hao said gently, "Celestial Venerable Mu, your ability to reach this place shows significant progress in your strength. We, the Ten Celestial Venerables, have spent a very long time venturing into Jade Capital City in the Ancestral Court. One more person means one more share of power. Since you are our Alliance Leader, please lead us all to explore this Jade Capital City."

Qin Mu pondered.

Celestial Venerable Hao suddenly questioned him in the language of the Dao, "Is Celestial Venerable Mu going to betray himself, betray the Heavenly Alliance?"

This sudden challenge, delivered in the language of the Dao, directly assailed Qin Mu's Dao heart, forming a profound Dao inquiry within it!

In that instant, a roaring tremor of the Grand Dao resounded within Qin Mu's Dao heart, as if all the Grand Dao principles he had cultivated were simultaneously questioning him, directly targeting his Dao heart!

Qin Mu was surprised. He looked up at Celestial Venerable Hao as if seeing him for the first time.

Not many people could communicate in the language of the Dao; it required a profound understanding of the Dao!

The Five Primordials communicated in the language of the Dao, but that was an innate ability for Tai Yi, Tai Chu, and others. Emperor Kai, having cultivated his sword path to the thirty-fifth heaven, could now also communicate in the language of the Dao.

Qin Mu's ability to communicate in the language of the Dao stemmed from his extremely high cultivation in the Dao realm and his deep study of the Grand Dao principles of the Five Primordials.

Celestial Venerable Hao's sudden challenge in the language of the Dao formed a Grand Dao inquiry directly within Qin Mu's Dao heart, forcing him not to refuse.

If Qin Mu refused and went against his own Dao heart, the damage to his Dao heart would inevitably be immense, possibly even leading to self-doubt.

Self-doubt and self-questioning were terrifying for cultivators, especially those who had achieved something in the Dao realm.

On the path of cultivation, self-doubt would lead to regression instead of progress. If Qin Mu did not agree to travel with them, his cultivation would likely continuously decline, and the various Grand Dao principles he had cultivated would gradually strip away from him, causing him to lose his power!

This was the Divine Ability of Dao Inquiry!

The Divine Ability of Dao Inquiry had a similar uncanny effect to the Nine Prison Platform Divine Ability, though it wasn't as bizarre as Qin Mu's Nine Prison Heart-Lock Dao's permanence. Had Qin Mu been on guard, Celestial Venerable Hao's Dao Inquiry wouldn't have directly assailed his Dao heart.

But the crucial point was, he wasn't prepared!

"Behind Celestial Venerable Hao, is there truly a powerful being from a past universe guiding him, or did he comprehend this step himself?"

Qin Mu's gaze shifted from Celestial Venerable Hao's face. He smiled faintly and stepped onto the shore. "If it's the latter, then I've underestimated him. His talent, aptitude, and comprehension are absolutely no less than Emperor Kai's!"

As his feet touched solid ground, the tremors and ripples stirred by the Dao Inquiry Divine Ability within his Dao heart slowly subsided.

Behind him, the small boat flew up, arced over Qin Mu's head, and descended in front of him. Qin Mu raised his hand, and the small boat transformed into a staff, which he grasped by the handle.

"Celestial Venerable Hao is right to instruct me."

Qin Mu's expression was calm, and he smiled, "In that case, as the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Alliance, I shall lead you all to explore this perilous place."

The Ten Celestial Venerables' gazes all fell upon the staff in his hand. Ancestral God King, Celestial Venerable Lang Xuan, and others exclaimed, "It's you!"

Qin Mu was slightly taken aback, then followed their gazes to the staff. Immediately understanding their surprise, he chuckled, "It's not me; I merely borrowed his staff. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to cross this long chaotic river."

Ancestral God King, Celestial Venerable Lang Xuan, Celestial Consort Qiang, and Celestial Venerable Xiao had besieged the Grand Emperor, delving into the thirty-fifth void, reducing the Grand Emperor's true form to just a head. Afterward, Qin Mu was trapped by these four Celestial Venerables on the chaotic sea of the Ancestral Court.

At that time, it was this very staff that suddenly emerged from the sea. With a single strike, it sent all four Celestial Venerables flying, forcing them to retreat in difficulty!

Previously, the staff had been a strangely shaped small boat, which they hadn't recognized. Now that it had reverted to its true staff form, the four Celestial Venerables immediately recalled that humiliating past, and their hearts were filled with awe.

Celestial Venerable Xiao politely inquired, "Celestial Venerable Mu, is that Dao brother well?"

Qin Mu remarked with emotion, "He's doing very well. He's been in my sacred land, eating and drinking well, like an ancestor. When I left this time, he even told me there are many bad people outside and to take his staff for self-defense. I said, 'How could there be bad people in this world?' And then I ran into..."

He cast a deep glance at the Ten Celestial Venerables.

Celestial Venerable Xiao didn't mind, smiling, "That Dao brother possesses vast divine abilities and is a perfected being. He has no distinction between good and evil in his heart, Celestial Venerable Mu, so please don't joke about it. If he were to distinguish between good and evil, the universe as it is now would no longer be this way. Since that Dao brother is a guest in Black Mountain, may I be permitted to visit him after this matter is concluded?"

Qin Mu's heart skipped another beat, and he secretly groaned.

Now, where was he supposed to find a Tai Yi?

However, if he didn't agree, he would expose his weakness and be seen through by old foxes like Celestial Venerable Xiao.

"Whether the old Dao brother sees you, I cannot decide."

Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then said, "Celestial Venerable Xiao is also his fellow Daoist, and after all, he is Emperor Tai Chu. I must give him this much face. Rest assured, when I return, I will certainly put in a good word for you with the old Dao brother..."

Just as he said this, the two Taiji ancient gods behind Celestial Consort Yan exchanged glances. The male ancient god said, "Celestial Venerable Mu, could you also put in a good word for us, brother and sister? We also wish to meet that Dao brother!"

Celestial Venerable Hao and the others were greatly shocked. They all looked at the staff in Qin Mu's hand, puzzled, "Who exactly is this Dao brother? Even the Taiji ancient gods wish to meet him?"

Qin Mu looked troubled, "It's not that I don't want to give you two face, but that old Dao brother isn't someone just anyone can meet... Alright, alright, you two are also acquaintances of mine, and our friendship is like iron. I'll sacrifice my reputation to speak up for you..."

Suddenly, from behind Celestial Venerable Hao, Tai Su's voice came, saying indifferently, "Celestial Venerable Mu, if you can introduce me, I can spare your life."

Qin Mu looked behind Celestial Venerable Hao, seeing Tai Su transform, sometimes into a great cauldron, sometimes into a divine sword, then suddenly into a large bell. Her form shifted through various treasures, then into Bai Quer, then Lang Wo, then Ling Yuxiu, and then back into a treasure form.

Tai Su, sensing his various thoughts, became furious. "Is this scoundrel a robe spirit? His thoughts are so mixed and chaotic, full of wild imaginings; he has no demeanor of a Daoist master at all!"

Qin Mu, beaming, said, "Since Daoist Tai Su has the intention of turning hostility into friendship, how can I not fulfill it? Once this matter is settled, I will ask him. As for whether he can be met, I dare not make a promise."

"So her name is Tai Su!" The other Celestial Venerables all looked behind Celestial Venerable Hao, each seeing something different, reflecting their own thoughts.

Tai Su snorted coldly, "I don't intend to turn hostility into friendship with you. You caused me to be born prematurely. Even if you introduce me, I won't let you off the hook. I'm merely sparing your life."

Qin Mu paid no heed. Leaning on his staff, he walked to the edge of the second long chaotic river, secretly getting a headache. "Who should I find to impersonate Tai Yi? Lan Yutian probably won't do, nor will Emperor Kai... Or, should I just shed my old face and impersonate Tai Yi myself, then seize the opportunity to finish off this young woman before Tai Su realizes?"

It's the weekend tomorrow, so House Pig can finally get a good night's sleep and doesn't have to wake up early to take his daughter to school. Waking up at five or six every day these past few days has been exhausting.