Chapter 1752: The Power of a Single String

"Seventh Young Master," the Hall Master of Joy's voice reached him, "the Five Elders of Fengshu are known as the 'Undying Monsters Beneath the World Tree'. The eldest is Feng Hualian, the second is Huang Tang, the third is Cangyan Cui, the fourth is Yan Xiuge, and the youngest, the one right in front of you, is Li Shu."

The Hall Master of Joy continued, "These five monsters have always clung to the World Tree, guarding it fiercely, fearing that in the event of cosmic destruction, they wouldn't secure a place. They rarely venture far from it. For several past cosmic epochs, whenever you approached the edge of the World Tree, you'd witness this extraordinary sight."

Li Shu, one of the Five Elders of Fengshu, chuckled, "The Hall Master jests. Our abilities are humble; we certainly can't compete with others. So, we simply occupy a spot in advance. When the great catastrophe of cosmic destruction arrives, it will be convenient for us to 'stow away' into the next epoch."

Puzzled, Qin Mu asked, "Then why have the five of you left the World Tree in this epoch and settled in the Celestial Heavens?"

He glanced around nonchalantly and added, "These Celestial Heavens imitate the Jade Capital City of the ancestral court, symbolizing supreme power. Just now, the Hall Master of Joy mentioned that the five of you are reclusive experts who disdain fame and fortune. Why, then, have you developed a desire for power in this epoch?"

Li Shu quickly replied, "Seventh Young Master, you've misunderstood! We, the Five Elders of Fengshu, are merely five timid, mouse-like cowards. How could we dare to harbor desires for power? We are not usurpers, not usurpers! We simply saw that this place was empty, so we're temporarily residing here. We would never dare to claim ownership. When the true owner of this place arrives, we will simply yield it."

Although he presented himself as a benevolent old man, everyone present had weathered many storms and knew well the true intentions of the Five Elders of Fengshu.

Emperor Haotian chuckled, "The Five Elders merely saw that the Mi Luo Palace had not descended into this universe, and its master remained secluded, so they felt they had the upper hand. Coupled with the scarcity of strong individuals in this universe, the Five Elders developed a desire for power, believing they could control the cosmos and fulfill their lifelong ambitions. This mindset is common; why deny it?"

Li Shu burst into laughter, shaking his head. "We five cowards only know how to dig holes and hide beneath the World Tree. We wouldn't dare entertain such rebellious thoughts. We merely seek a place to reside. If someone can offer us a meal, we would be eternally grateful."

Emperor Haotian's eyes glinted. "I can give you that place to reside!"

Li Shu glanced at him and chuckled, "Young man, you jest. You're not in charge."

Emperor Haotian's expression slightly darkened, and he let out a snort.

Li Shu led them to the High Heavens Palace in the Celestial Heavens. The palace itself had been razed, leaving only a massive altar. On the altar, four elders sat, surrounded by prehistoric powerhouses who had 'stowed away' from beneath the World Tree.

Li Shu smiled and said, "Gentlemen, we, the Five Elders of Fengshu, don't even have a proper palace, which shows that we are merely temporary residents here and harbor no thoughts of fame or fortune."

Qin Mu observed the heavy artifacts positioned all around them, constantly aimed in their direction wherever they moved. With a hint of insincerity, he praised, "Gentlemen, you all possess noble character and live in utter simplicity. I am deeply impressed."

His gaze then fell upon the altar, which was extremely peculiar. Its intricate patterns and structure were unique, distinct from the legacy of the Mi Luo Palace, imbued with a touch of mystery.

The divine materials and metals used for this altar were all of the highest quality, sourced from the ancestral court. Qin Mu couldn't discern the altar's purpose in such a short time.

Qin Mu praised, "The five of you truly have unblemished integrity, treating gold like dirt, even sitting directly upon it."

Feng Hualian, the leader, cleared his throat and said, "Seventh Young Master, you're joking. Young Master, Hall Master of Joy, Emissary, please ascend the altar for a discussion."

The altar clearly had an ulterior motive, but Emperor Haotian showed no fear. Head held high and chest puffed out, he stepped onto the altar first, moving to its center. He saluted the Five Elders and announced, "I am here by the command of the Third and Fourth Young Masters, to pay my respects to the five fellow Daoists."

Feng Hualian nodded. "So, it is His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor of this cosmic epoch. Please be seated."

The Hall Master of Joy's Dao tree floated over and entered the altar. He saluted the Five Elders, who rose and returned the greeting. "Your reputation, Hall Master, precedes you. Although reclusive wanderers like us have a minor name in the world, compared to a legitimate figure like yourself, we are merely playing children's games. That the Hall Master, despite physical limitations, can achieve such renown, deeply impresses us five old fellows."

The Hall Master of Joy's expression subtly changed; he knew these five old men were mocking him for having his legs severed after descending into the Seventeenth Epoch.

Qin Mu stepped forward and ascended the altar. The Five Elders quickly saluted, and Feng Hualian said, "Seventh Young Master has traveled a long way. We five old fellows feared that you might confiscate our homes, so we dared not rise to greet you. Please forgive us."

"No worries, no worries," Qin Mu said with a smile.

With a broad smile, Qin Mu raised a hand and said, "All five of you are esteemed seniors; there's no need to stand. Please be seated."

The Five Elders of Fengshu quickly thanked him and took their seats.

Qin Mu also sat down and remarked, "Although in past universes, I respected and cherished the five elders, what is past for you is still future for me, something yet to happen. Our encounters are truly extraordinary and bizarre, leaving me with much to sigh about and marvel at." He then burst into laughter.

The Five Elders of Fengshu exchanged glances but could not bring themselves to laugh.

Emperor Haotian cleared his throat and declared loudly, "All five seniors are enlightened masters. The Mi Luo Palace is about to descend, and the Third and Fourth Young Masters have commanded me to come and cooperate with you in orchestrating its arrival. What are your thoughts?"

He was direct, stating the purpose of his visit bluntly, conveying the impression that he wielded the immense power of the Mi Luo Palace, intending to overwhelm and force the 'stowaways' into submission.

Cangyan Cui, an old woman, heard this and chuckled. "The Mi Luo Palace certainly puts on airs! A mere dog from their ranks dares to boss us around? Do they truly think we, the Five Elders of Fengshu, are made of mud?"

"Third Sister, mind your manners," Huang Tang said with a laugh.

"This young fellow has just earned his master's favor," Huang Tang chuckled. "Naturally, he'll wag his tail and bark a bit to earn praise and rewards. Third Sister, there's no need to take offense."

Emperor Haotian's face turned cold, and he was about to retort when the Hall Master of Joy interjected with a smile, "Emperor Haotian is a fellow Daoist supported by our Mi Luo Palace in this epoch, destined to enter the Mi Luo Palace in the future. The Third and Fourth Young Masters themselves address him as a fellow Daoist. For the Five Elders of Fengshu to insult him in such a way, isn't that an insult to my Mi Luo Palace and to my Mi Luo Palace's teachers?"

Yan Xiuge's expression became solemn. "We wouldn't dare. The Mi Luo Palace Master is indeed an unparalleled expert, and we five old fellows greatly admire him. However, the Mi Luo Palace Master no longer governs the palace; authority has shifted. As for the young masters of the Mi Luo Palace..."

She sneered, "They are merely conniving scoundrels, not necessarily superior to us!"

"Fourth Sister! You're being presumptuous!" Feng Hualian's face darkened as he reprimanded her.

Then, with an apologetic tone, he added, "Hall Master of Joy, there's no need to take offense. You know we five have eccentric temperaments, and our words can sometimes be a bit much. Seventh Young Master, we understand the purpose of the Emissary and the Hall Master. May I ask what your purpose is for coming here?"

Qin Mu smiled faintly and calmly said, "I ask that you all return to the World Tree, going back the same way you came into this world."

The expressions of the Five Elders of Fengshu changed simultaneously.

Emperor Haotian's message from the Third and Fourth Young Masters was already audacious, but Qin Mu's demand was even more outrageous: he was telling them to return to where they came from!

Yan Xiuge sneered, "Seventh Young Master, in the past, your abilities were unfathomable, and we respected you for it. But now, your power is nothing special! Perhaps it is we five elders who should send you back to the past, to make you the Seventh Young Master!"

Qin Mu remained silent, a smile on his face.

Feng Hualian chuckled, "Seventh Young Master is the host, Fourth Sister, don't be rude. Seventh Young Master, your demand is far too extreme. Are you not afraid we might side with the Third and Fourth Young Masters?"

"Will you?" Qin Mu asked.

"Hahahahaha!"

Feng Hualian rose to his feet, his physique as massive as a mountain, his white hair like snow on a snowy peak. His voice boomed like rolling thunder, reverberating throughout the Celestial Heavens: "Of course not! We, the Five Elders of Fengshu, are renowned figures in heaven and earth, beings who have achieved the Great Dao, lived for eons, and witnessed cosmic changes and destructions. When the Mi Luo Palace was dominant, we willingly lay dormant, but now that it is trapped by the Calamity of Destruction, we naturally have no need to be timid any longer!"

Though seemingly ancient, he exuded immense vigor, his voice echoing across the Celestial Heavens: "The Mi Luo Palace has suppressed epoch after epoch, preventing countless brilliant talents from realizing their ambitions! How many heroes have seen their valiant spirit turn to smoke? How many brave warriors have been forced to kneel, submitting unwillingly? Now, the opportunity has arrived!"

Qin Mu listened quietly, a smile on his face.

Throughout the Celestial Heavens, the prehistoric 'stowaways' cheered thunderously, their shouts deafening.

Feng Hualian, full of spirit, declared loudly, "Under the oppression of the Mi Luo Palace, countless universes have rapidly withered and perished, leading to a dwindling number of enlightened beings in the world. If the Mi Luo Palace continues its tyranny, no one will ever achieve the Dao! With the Calamity of Destruction of the Seventeenth Epoch upon us, we will all face a dead end! For us to submit to the Mi Luo Palace? Absolutely impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!" came the thunderous shouts from the prehistoric 'stowaways' in the Celestial Heavens.

Feng Hualian took a step forward, looking down coldly at Emperor Haotian and the Hall Master of Joy. "You two, please return. Tell the Third and Fourth Young Masters that as long as the Five Elders of Fengshu are here, the Mi Luo Palace can forget about descend—"

Suddenly, a faint zither melody resounded.

Qin Mu took the hand of Moon Sovereign beside him, gesturing for her not to move.

As the zither music reached them, the vast and boundless Celestial Heavens subtly trembled, so faintly that it was almost imperceptible. Moon Sovereign, who cultivated the Void of Ultimate Containment, was exceptionally sensitive to spatial changes and immediately detected that slight vibration.

The Hall Master of Joy also noticed the tremor, but others present did not possess their profound cultivation.

Feng Hualian uttered his last word: "...ing!"

As the word was spoken, the South Heaven Gate suddenly tilted slowly. A diagonal crack appeared silently, and the upper half of the South Heaven Gate slid downwards as if on an incredibly smooth ramp, without making a sound.

After delivering his impassioned statement, Feng Hualian also noticed the anomaly at the South Heaven Gate. He quickly turned to look, a puzzled expression on his face.

Not just the South Heaven Gate, but other palaces, grand halls, and divine mansions throughout the Celestial Heavens had, at that very moment, been cleanly sliced in half by an unseen force.

The upper halves of thousands of palaces and myriad halls were silently sliding downwards!

He looked towards the other heavenly gates, only to see that the West, North, and East Heaven Gates of the Celestial Heavens had also been cleanly severed and were now sliding down!

*Boom.*

Suddenly, the upper part of a heavy artifact by the altar slid down and crashed onto the ground. Then, booming sounds echoed as all the heavy artifacts, painstakingly crafted by the prehistoric 'stowaways', were split perfectly in two!

Nearby, a prehistoric 'stowaway' raised a hand and touched his neck, where a line of blood had appeared.

He blinked, his gaze unfocused, then saw the heads of his companions around him, one by one, detaching from their necks. The cuts were incredibly clean, even their primordial spirits severed with perfect precision.

"My head..." He watched as his vision tilted, his head slowly sliding from his neck.

Feng Hualian's body stiffened; he stood motionless on the altar, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

Emperor Haotian exhaled a puff of air. A line of blood appeared across Feng Hualian's chest, and his upper body flew backward, cleanly severed, dying instantly!

"Who else?"

Emperor Haotian glanced around, then burst into laughter, his voice sharp and menacing. "Who else dares to defy Us? You? You? Or you?"

He pointed at Huang Tang, then at Cangyan Cui, Yan Xiuge, and Li Shu. The other four elders were terrified, not daring to meet his gaze.

Emperor Haotian's finger was about to point at Qin Mu when the Hall Master of Joy coughed. Emperor Haotian immediately withdrew his hand, his spirit soaring as he sneered, "Go on, keep talking! Why have you stopped? You called Us a dog – do you even qualify to do so?!"