Chapter 1646: You Might Die

Shang Pingyin felt a chill, his hands and feet growing cold. The spiritual energy transfer bridges had suddenly broken. It was clearly not an attack initiated from the Celestial Heavens; Yankang wouldn't dare to do such a thing, nor could anyone cause trouble within the Celestial Heavens itself.

Yankang must have acted from the other end of the bridges.

Spiritual energy transfer bridges require two altars to establish a spiritual energy transfer channel, facilitating travel between locations.

With these bridges severed, even an Emperor's Throne realm practitioner traveling to other heavens would still require three to five years. And if the destination were the Four Extreme Heavens, it would likely take even longer.

Of course, traveling from Xuandu to the myriad heavens would take less time, but the journey from Ancestral Court to Xuandu would still be lengthy!

Yankang had clearly been planning for this day for a long time. The Celestial Heavens' spiritual energy transfer bridges connected the myriad heavens, and there were many of them. For so many bridges to be severed simultaneously, a coordinated plan with an agreed-upon time must have been established.

"With the spiritual energy transfer bridges severed, even if the Celestial Heavens can quickly dispatch large numbers of gods and devils to fly to the myriad heavens to reconstruct the spiritual energy transfer bridges, it would still take thirty to fifty, or even a hundred years to rebuild them!"

Cold sweat beaded on Shang Pingyin's forehead. He rushed towards the High Heavens Hall, his mind buzzing: "And with Celestial Coins out of control, and the myriad heavens without the deterrence of the Celestial Heavens, thirty to fifty years is enough time for several rounds of rebellion!"

Losing contact with the myriad heavens was the most terrifying prospect. The Celestial Heavens relied too heavily on the spiritual energy transfer bridges; without them, they instantly lost control over the myriad heavens.

Celestial Coins would likely become worthless!

The devaluation of Celestial Coins could only lead to one outcome: widespread chaos throughout the heavens!

The current unrest in the myriad heavens was already difficult to suppress. Without the spiritual energy transfer bridges, public indignation would surely erupt like a volcano.

Without replenishment of gods and devils from the myriad heavens, the Celestial Heavens' campaign against Yankang would turn into a war of attrition, where every god and devil lost could not be replaced.

Even more crucial were resources!

The Celestial Heavens' resources came from the myriad heavens and Yankang, with Yankang providing the bulk of the Celestial Heavens' divine weapon supply.

"How did all these issues erupt all at once?"

Shang Pingyin practically burst into the High Heavens Hall, only to find Emperor Haotian already presiding over court. Many ministers had already arrived; the breaking of the spiritual energy transfer bridges was a matter of such grave importance that it had drawn them all there.

Emperor Haotian's face was grim. Shang Pingyin couldn't help but hesitate and suppressed the issue of the Celestial Coin oversupply. He thought to himself, "If I speak of the Celestial Coin system collapsing, I'll likely incur wrath and be the first to suffer. With the spiritual energy transfer bridges severed, the collapse of Celestial Coins seems less critical. It's better to conceal this matter... Meng Yungui!"

He saw Meng Yungui among the officials, his heart greatly shaken, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon Meng Yungui.

Various thoughts swirled in Shang Pingyin's mind: "He proposed issuing more Celestial Coins. Did he anticipate that Yankang was also disseminating Celestial Coins throughout the myriad heavens? This fellow is, after all, human. Perhaps he has already allied with Heavenly Venerable Mu! However, his mathematical equations were without error; they simply lacked data on Yankang's Celestial Coin circulation. And the credit for increasing the Celestial Coin supply was something I seized for myself. He has no part in it..."

Meng Yungui seemed to sense his gaze, turned and looked back. Their eyes met, and Shang Pingyin shivered. Meng Yungui was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any emotion, deep like the Great Abyss of Guixu and filled with darkness.

He took a long, deep breath. The devaluation of Celestial Coins and the severance of the spiritual energy transfer bridges had occurred simultaneously; he could seize this opportunity to conceal the former issue.

If it were revealed, Meng Yungui could also evade responsibility, and Emperor Haotian would have no reason to punish him; Shang Pingyin himself would also be punished. The magnitude of the crime would likely send him to the God-Slaying Platform!

Shang Pingyin took a deep breath, composed himself, and his gaze slid past Meng Yungui's, feigning nonchalance.

Meng Yungui also withdrew his gaze and stood silently with bowed head.

"Surveillance Bureau. Convey my command. Instruct Ancestral God King to order the various Sun Keepers to proceed to the various heavens and repair the spiritual energy transfer bridges."

Emperor Haotian issued the order, his voice still steady. He said, "Have Ancestral God King reassure the rulers of the various heavens that the Celestial Heavens remains, and I remain. Tell them to diligently manage my empire for me. Once the spiritual energy transfer bridges are rebuilt, I will reward them handsomely."

The heavenly official from the Surveillance Bureau hesitated, then bit the bullet and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, the Celestial Heavens' spiritual energy transfer bridges were all constructed by Yankang, commissioned by Zaofu Heavenly Palace. The Celestial Heavens' own construction factories lack the capability to repair the spiritual energy transfer bridges of the various heavens. Even if the Sun Keepers arrive at the various heavens, they will still be unable to repair them..."

He hadn't finished speaking when a furious rumble echoed through the court. The Surveillance Bureau official immediately fell silent.

"Are you suggesting that the Celestial Heavens' spiritual energy transfer bridges cannot be built by ourselves?"

Emperor Haotian's face was grim; he said coldly, "What is Zaofu Heavenly Palace doing? What are My Celestial Heavens' construction factories doing?"

No one in the court dared to speak.

Emperor Haotian's chest heaved violently. He snorted in anger, his tone softening. He said, "In that case, have Ancestral God King order the Sun Keepers from various places to bring down heavenly calamities wherever chaos erupts in the heavens. Furthermore, order Ancestral God King to bring down heavenly calamities upon Yankang!"

His face grim, he said coldly, "Command the ghost gods to descend to Youdu and notify Heavenly Venerable Void to exterminate all living beings in Yankang, leaving none! Exterminate all living beings in Wuyou Township, leaving none!"

He suddenly stood up, his tone icy and biting: "Heavenly Venerable Mu dares to defy Me, I will slaughter everyone you care about!"

The Surveillance Bureau immediately proceeded to the Celestial Heavens Altar to offer incense and prayers and notify Ancestral God King. Meanwhile, the ghost gods of the Celestial Heavens entered Youdu to notify Heavenly Venerable Void.

Emperor Haotian sat down, looked around the hall, and said solemnly, "Furthermore, inform the Four Emperors to mobilize their armies and proceed to the Primordial Realm. Four Grand Heavenly Masters, you too shall each lead your armies. The Seven Dukes, Four Ministers, Three Preceptors, Two Aides, and the Five Emperor's Throne practitioners shall each lead their forces to conquer the Primordial Realm, using it as a stronghold to counter the chaos in the myriad heavens. I shall also personally mobilize the Celestial Heavens' Ten Guards and personally lead the expedition to the Primordial Realm!"

The Four Grand Heavenly Masters each frowned.

Shang Pingyin hesitated, then stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Primordial Realm is fixed in place and cannot be moved. The Four Extreme Heavens pose the greater threat. To conquer the Primordial Realm, we should first pacify the Four Extreme Heavens. If Northern Emperor Xuanwu and Western Emperor Baihu were to join forces with the Primordial Realm rebels, that would be truly problematic."

Meng Yungui stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Grand Heavenly Master Shang speaks truly."

Shang Pingyin glanced at him. Meng Yungui said solemnly, "In Yankang, with Heavenly Venerable Void and Ancestral God King bringing down calamities and tribulations, only a few people will be able to survive. But if chaos arises in the Four Extreme Heavens, and Northern Emperor and Western Emperor take advantage of the Celestial Heavens' vulnerability to march straight in and attack the Celestial Heavens, that would be a grave internal threat! The Celestial Heavens changing hands would deal a severe blow to morale..."

Emperor Haotian snorted, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "How could that old thief Mu be dealt with by the likes of Void and Ancestral? Heavenly Venerable Void and Ancestral God King cannot defeat him, and likely cannot eliminate Yankang for some time! Therefore, dealing with Yankang and Wuyou Township in the Primordial Realm is the top priority!"

Meng Yungui argued, "Your Majesty, please reconsider! Your Majesty, securing the Four Extreme Heavens first is the most secure path!"

Shang Pingyin opened his mouth, wanting to refute him, but what Meng Yungui said was precisely what he himself intended to say, leaving him unable to argue.

Bai Yuqiong stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Grand Heavenly Master Meng speaks truly. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

The Fourth Grand Heavenly Master, Zhu Shaoping, stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please reconsider! The current strategy is to first secure the Celestial Heavens' territory, which is the Ancestral Court. As long as the Ancestral Court stands, so does our legitimacy. The Ancestral Court is incredibly rich. Your Majesty, we in the Celestial Heavens should first establish a firm foothold in the Ancestral Court, uproot that old thief Mu's foundation there, capture all Yankang people in the Black Mountain Sacred Ground, and use them to threaten that thief Mu!"

Shang Pingyin also said, "Your Majesty, the three Grand Heavenly Masters speak reasonably. If Your Majesty first secures the Ancestral Court, you will have a strong defensive position from which to advance or retreat. Then pacify the Four Extreme Heavens and dispatch troops from there, forming a siege around the Primordial Realm. This way, the momentum will be overwhelming, and the Primordial Realm can be easily subdued!"

Meng Yungui said, "Your Majesty, the thief Mu's weakness is Yankang. The Black Mountain Sacred Ground has a large population, which is a valuable commodity. Using them to threaten that thief Mu is the best possible move."

Emperor Haotian snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Before that old thief Mu entered the palace, he stayed in the Ancestral Court for over ten days. What do you suppose he was doing?"

He sneered, "That thief was relocating the Black Mountain Sacred Ground! The Black Mountain Sacred Ground is now empty!"

The Four Grand Heavenly Masters were startled.

Emperor Haotian walked out of the High Heavens Hall and looked down at the Ancestral Court. From afar, he saw the World Tree, lush and verdant, its branches and leaves flourishing, its canopy eclipsing the sky.

That was the Black Mountain Sacred Ground. But the World Tree had grown so rapidly that it had completely obscured the original Black Mountain, leaving no trace of its former desolation.

Outside the High Heavens Hall, godly generals turned the Celestial Heavens' surveillance mirrors and shone them towards the Black Mountain Sacred Ground.

A moment later, the light from countless surveillance mirrors formed a large circle in the air. Within this circle, clear as lake crystal, the detailed situation of the Black Mountain Sacred Ground was clearly reflected.

They saw divine cities scattered across the Black Mountain Sacred Ground, bustling with Yankang commoners. Trade flourished.

The construction factories there were also in full production, and flying ships sailed through the air. One could even see divine arts practitioners assisting the commoners with planting crops and bringing rain.

The ministers in court discussed animatedly. From the scene reflected by the surveillance mirrors, it appeared the Yankang people in the Black Mountain Sacred Ground were still present and had not been relocated by Qin Mu.

"It's all an illusion!"

Emperor Haotian pointed a finger towards the Black Mountain Sacred Ground and sneered, "That old thief Mu stayed in Black Mountain for over ten days precisely to create this illusion with his divine sense, while he took the opportunity to relocate everyone from Black Mountain!"

A moment later, the power of his finger reached Black Mountain. The Celestial Heavens' officials watched the mirror and saw a violent fluctuation spreading from the Black Mountain Sacred Ground's center. Wherever it passed, the Black Mountain Sacred Ground, which had just seemed so prosperous, rippled and vanished like an illusion in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, the Black Mountain Sacred Ground was completely empty, with no human figures to be found.

"That thief Mu is formidable!" The faces of everyone in the Celestial Heavens changed simultaneously.

Emperor Haotian sneered, "Pacifying the Four Extreme Heavens will only grant that old thief Mu more time. Time is precisely what that old thief lacks! Four Grand Heavenly Masters, what you have proposed is indeed very reasonable. Pacifying the Four Extreme Heavens to encircle the Primordial Realm is a straightforward strategy. But against that old thief Mu, such an orthodox approach cannot be used! Pacifying the Four Extreme Heavens would grant him an additional twenty years to recover! No one knows what might happen in those twenty years! Convey My command!"

He flicked his sleeve, his voice resonating throughout the Celestial Heavens: "Mobilize the entire army to conquer the Primordial Realm!"

"By your decree!" All civil and military officials bowed in unison.

Outside the Primordial Realm, Qin Mu walked at a leisurely pace. He had returned from the Ancestral Court, not via the spiritual energy transfer bridges, but on foot. It had taken him several months to travel from the Ancestral Court to this place.

The reason for walking was that he was carrying countless Yankang people from the Black Mountain Sacred Ground, which he had almost entirely evacuated. Transporting such a large number of people via the spiritual energy transfer bridges would inevitably exceed their capacity.

Therefore, traveling on foot was the safest option.

He had these people reside within his divine treasure universe. They could endure for a few months, but any longer, and they would not be able to cope; it would likely lead to widespread deaths.

Fortunately, he was proficient in Heavenly Venerable Yue's Void Carrying Scripture, which allowed him to travel quickly.

The Primordial Realm was just ahead. He let out a slight sigh of relief. Just then, the celestial phenomena abruptly shifted. Stars began to fade one by one, and the starry sky plunged completely into darkness.

Qin Mu stopped and smiled, "Ancestral God King, or the Grand Emperor?"

He thought for a moment, then smiled. "It must be the Grand Emperor. Sending Ancestral God King to deal with me would merely be sending him to his death. Only the Grand Emperor possesses the power to contend with me. Taichu, show yourself."

The starry sky brightened. Dazzling divine light emanated from the deepest reaches of the void, and a Great Luo Heaven materialized out of thin air, its Dao trees lush and its Dao flowers dazzling.

From the dazzling light, a tall, extraordinary figure emerged, growing steadily clearer.

"Heavenly Venerable Mu, you don't appear to have lost your Dao heart completely."

Taichu looked surprised and smiled gently. "Hao'er fell for your scheme, granting you many years of respite. However, he is also exceptionally decisive, for he immediately sent me to kill you after you signed the agreement."

"Taichu, how do you know his true intention isn't to use me to eliminate you?"

Qin Mu said with a half-smile, "You are old. Your sharp spirit is gone, and you can no longer fight effectively. Ever since your first death, you lost the vigor of a founding emperor. If you fight me, you might die."