Chapter 1789: Your Name

“Master, may I ask you to bless Ling Jun?” Qin Mu bowed and implored.

“Why do I need to bestow a blessing?” The voice of the Mi Luo Palace Lord resonated, “The blessings you've already given her are more than enough. If I were to bless her further, she wouldn't be able to bear it; it would become a curse rather than a blessing. Daoist Mu, please leave your child a sliver of hope.”

Qin Mu's heart tightened. He wanted to press for details, but the Mi Luo Palace Lord had again fallen silent. Despite his repeated inquiries, the Mi Luo Palace Lord offered no further words.

Qin Mu sighed, knowing that his Master's powers were incredibly vast, even to the point of foretelling the future. Moreover, the Mi Luo Palace Lord could discern things from subtle clues that Qin Mu himself couldn't perceive.

Since the Master had a premonition but chose not to reveal it, Qin Mu had no choice but to let the matter rest.

Holding Ling Yuxiu's hand and cradling Qin Lingjun, Qin Mu bowed deeply before exiting the Mi Luo Palace.

Nang Xiang Yuanjun hesitated, brimming with questions for the Mi Luo Palace Lord. However, Qin Mu had already departed, and the Mi Luo Palace Lord had fallen silent once more, leaving her no choice but to also exit the palace. She looked back to see the palace gates already closed.

Nang Xiang Yuanjun sighed, feeling a profound sense of loss. The Mi Luo Palace Lord, the Master to all across sixteen cosmic epochs, was truly gone.

Qin Mu approached the golden boat and smiled, “Let's stay here for a few days. I need to restore myself to peak condition before we head back. I fear the journey back will be many times more perilous than our journey here.”

Ling Yuxiu nodded, “Sister Nang Xiang, please go back ahead of us. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey.”

Nang Xiang Yuanjun hesitated, then nodded, “Young Master, Madam, I won't be of much help on the return journey. I will take my leave now.”

Qin Mu thanked her. Nang Xiang Yuanjun quickly responded, “It's my pleasure. Please be very careful, both of you!” With that, she rose and departed.

The couple watched her leave. Ling Yuxiu remarked, “Sister Nang Xiang isn't a bad person.”

“Actually, almost everyone from the Mi Luo Palace isn't a bad person at heart,” Qin Mu smiled, “Including me, I'm not a bad person either. Even the perfected beings and hall masters of the Mi Luo Palace, including the seemingly cruel Spirit Official Hall Master, all share the ideal of saving the world. They aren't unreasonable; it's simply that we stand in different positions and view things from different angles, leading us to perceive them as villains or invaders.”

Ling Yuxiu chuckled, “My husband has suddenly become so magnanimous. It doesn't quite match the rumors about Celestial Venerable Mu.”

Qin Mu's interest was piqued. “What kind of person is this rumored Celestial Venerable Mu?”

“A complex person. They say you hate evil like a personal enemy, yet are incredibly wicked. Kind and compassionate, yet ruthless. Untrustworthy, yet true to your word.” Ling Yuxiu pursed her lips and chuckled, “They say you don't talk much, yet you can talk people to death. Some say you're exceptionally intelligent, others that you're as dull as an ox. Some claim your Dao heart is eternally stable and unwavering, while others say it's a complete mess, causing your expression to constantly change. In short, Celestial Venerable Mu is an incredibly complex individual.”

Qin Mu burst out laughing.

The couple settled onto the golden boat. Qin Lingjun, being newly born, was constantly noisy, and as first-time parents, they found themselves inevitably busy and flustered.

“I, who possess the power to govern the heavens and earth, whom no one can defeat, have been utterly defeated by a mere days-old child.”

Qin Mu felt deflated. Fortunately, Qin Lingjun didn't cry constantly; when quiet, she was very adorable, offering a measure of comfort to her weary father.

After more than two months, Qin Mu's cultivation and strength had returned to their peak. They finally set sail, heading back the way they came. The couple had a delightful time on the boat, playing with their child and washing diapers. They found it amusing, seemingly oblivious to the approaching storm.

On the way there, Qin Mu had to control the Lotus of Returning Ruins and the World Tree, absorbing the energy of the Calamity of Destruction to nourish Qin Lingjun, which slowed their progress. However, the return journey was much faster. Within three months, they reached the Calamity of Destruction of the Seventh Epoch.

The golden boat's speed gradually slowed. Ling Yuxiu noticed and glanced at Qin Mu.

Qin Mu was squatting on the golden boat's deck, playfully interacting with Qin Lingjun, hoping to teach her to walk. The father still appeared carefree. However, the golden boat's speed was indeed decreasing, becoming progressively slower.

Ling Yuxiu walked forward, picked up Qin Lingjun, and tentatively asked, “Husband, is something troubling you?”

Qin Mu stood up and gazed out from the boat. Outside lay the Great Calamity of Destruction that had swept through the Seventh Epoch. Even the universes created by the Heaven Capital's Creation Society could not escape the cycle of cosmic birth and destruction, and had been utterly annihilated.

“The absence of any disturbances on this journey has only made me more concerned.” The smile vanished from his face, and his voice deepened, “The more serene it is now, the more treacherous the coming storm will be. I lack sufficient confidence to protect you and our daughter.”

Ling Yuxiu gazed at his face. The once indomitable Celestial Venerable Mu now seemed fraught with anxiety. The supreme confidence he had cultivated since childhood, and the unyielding conviction forged during the Eternal Peace reforms, were now showing signs of wavering.

Ling Yuxiu leaned against him, holding Qin Lingjun with one hand and grasping his hand with the other, as if to imbue him with strength and courage.

Qin Mu embraced her, his voice low but weighty and resolute, “Rest assured, I will absolutely protect both of you; no harm shall come to you!”

His gaze towards the Calamity of Destruction was profound and serene, so deep it was almost unnerving. Years ago, when his parents, Qin Hanzhen and Consort Zhen, left Wuyou Township, they were relentlessly pursued and intercepted by the Celestial Court, eventually being cornered in the Great Ruins of the Primordial Realm. Qin Hanzhen transformed into wood, sending Consort Zhen, who was pregnant with him, to Youdu. How remarkably similar was this scene to that one? Later, Consort Zhen placed him in a basket and had Aunt Ping carry it, sending him out of Youdu. From that point on, an orphan named Qin Mu lived in Crippled Old Village.

“I will not let my daughter follow the same path I did,” he vowed silently to himself. The bitterness of an orphan searching for their birth parents was something he understood more deeply than anyone.

The Golden Boat of Salvation set sail once more, venturing toward the chaotic long rivers behind them.

The Calamity of Destruction of the Eighth Epoch passed peacefully.The Calamity of Destruction of the Ninth Epoch passed peacefully.The Calamity of Destruction of the Tenth Epoch passed peacefully.

Qin Mu's expression grew increasingly solemn, and it was rare to see a smile on his face. The prolonged absence of danger implied that its arrival would be incredibly fierce! So fierce that it might even exceed his capacity to endure!

Despite his immense powers, facing the Creation Society, the Mi Luo Palace, Elder Wuyuan, and potentially various prehistoric forces, both large and small, he knew he couldn't possibly contend alone! In this impending battle, he absolutely could not afford to lose, yet there was a high probability he would, and in doing so, forfeit all the beauty of their present life!

The Calamity of Destruction of the Eleventh Epoch passed peacefully!The Calamity of Destruction of the Twelfth Epoch passed peacefully!The Calamity of Destruction of the Thirteenth Epoch passed peacefully!The Calamity of Destruction of the Fourteenth Epoch also passed peacefully!

Finally, they arrived at the Calamity of Destruction of the Fifteenth Epoch. Qin Mu's throat felt parched as he activated the Lotus of Returning Ruins and the World Tree, rooting them within the chaotic long river, attempting to harness the Calamity of Destruction's power for his own use.

His heart gradually sank. The Lotus of Returning Ruins and the World Tree were unable to harness any power from the Calamity of Destruction. Qin Mu took a long breath. It seemed Second Young Master Wuji was also awaiting their family of three! Although Second Young Master Wuji couldn't possibly break the Mi Luo Palace Lord's red knot, her power was already seeping through, preventing him from drawing on the calamity's strength.

Ahead, the chaotic long river suddenly surged with violent waves, becoming incredibly intense. A burst of light erupted from the Calamity of Destruction—a new world was being born within the Calamity! Someone was performing the Heaven-Opening technique amidst the Calamity of Destruction, forcibly creating a new world and evolving a small universe! As that small universe was born, it appeared remarkably brilliant and vibrant amidst the Calamity of Destruction.

Within the chaotic long river, one dazzling light after another ignited, and one small universe after another emerged within the vast, turbulent flow. From the Seventh Epoch, the Creation Society, who had once forged the cosmos alongside the Lord of Heaven Capital, now appeared.

Simultaneously, Qin Mu spotted the World Tree at the heart of the Great Calamity of Destruction. Its leaves resembled magnificent heavens, and its branches and roots seemed to boldly proclaim the Great Dao. Elder Wuyuan stood beneath the tree.

In the distance, the Jade Capital City of the Fifteenth Epoch emerged. Behind its dilapidated walls, Dao trees formed a lush, verdant forest, and various Dao fruits on the trees emanated distinct Dao powers! Drifting within the chaotic long river were many shattered Great Luo Heavens. Within some, Dao trees swayed, and indistinct perfected beings stood resolute. In addition, there were various peculiar Dao soldiers, forming colossal entities—forces that belonged neither to the Mi Luo Palace, the Creation Society, nor Elder Wuyuan!

Qin Mu composed himself and offered Ling Yuxiu a smile, “Madam, is there anything else you wish to say to Ling Jun?”

Ling Yuxiu understood his intent. She hugged Qin Lingjun, kissing her face and murmuring, “Child, remember your name: you are Qin Lingjun! You are Qin Lingjun! Your father is Qin Mu, and your mother is Ling Yuxiu. One day, your father will find you, and he will call your name!” She suddenly lifted Qin Lingjun, holding her out to Qin Mu.

“Qin Mu, you *must* find her!” she declared sharply, then suddenly cast Qin Lingjun out of the Golden Boat of Salvation.

“Rest assured!” Qin Mu roared. As Qin Lingjun plunged into the chaotic long river, countless powerful, boundless figures from within the river surged after her, attempting to snatch her away.

At this precise moment, a lotus leaf from Qin Mu's Lotus of Returning Ruins detached and flew upward, swiftly enveloping the swaddled Qin Lingjun and whistling away!

Qin Mu took Ling Yuxiu's hand, rose to his full height, and stamped his foot heavily. The Golden Boat of Salvation then shot forth, closely trailing Qin Lingjun as it soared towards the various chaotic long rivers. Instantly, countless powerful figures, treading upon the river's surface, frantically pursued the Golden Boat of Salvation and the lotus leaf!

Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu landed on the lotus platform, their faces grim, and proceeded across the river's surface toward the Sixteenth Epoch.

“One day, I will bury all of you decayed beings in coffins! One day!”

The Lotus of Returning Ruins leaf carried Qin Lingjun on a frantic flight, traversing one chaotic long river after another. Nang Xiang Yuanjun, who was on her way back, saw the lotus leaf approaching, followed by the Golden Boat of Salvation. She paused in slight surprise, but the lotus leaf had already flown past, vanishing into the vast chaotic mist. Immediately after, the river's surface boiled as countless powerful, boundless beings gave chase, causing the chaotic long river to virtually seethe! Those powerful beings whistled past her, leaving Nang Xiang Yuanjun astonished.

“What just happened?”

The Lotus of Returning Ruins leaf and the Golden Boat of Salvation reached the Calamity of Destruction of the First Epoch. Suddenly, the lotus leaf soared from the river's surface, and the Golden Boat of Salvation also leaped upward. The lotus leaf, carrying Qin Lingjun, then settled onto the boat. The golden boat suddenly veered, and under the watchful eyes of the pursuing powerhouses, it carried Qin Lingjun and plunged headfirst into the chaotic long river!

“No!” One Daoist cry after another rang out, and then figures began to plummet into the long river.

In the First Epoch, the universe was already showing signs of an impending Great Calamity. The Mi Luo Palace Lord had built the Golden Boat of Salvation, intending to transport all sentient beings through the Calamity of Destruction using the vessel.

In a mountain village, a single lotus leaf drifted down, and a female infant tottered off it, gazing bewildered at this world on the brink of destruction. She was somewhat bewildered. Earth, water, wind, and fire erupted all around, and refugees filled the landscape. She stubbornly survived. A voice in her mind always told her that her name was Qin Lingjun, and that she had a father and mother, though her memories of them grew increasingly blurry.

By the time she was five or six, she displayed extraordinary abilities, yet her skills proved utterly useless amidst this great destruction. She fled alongside the refugees, witnessing familiar faces around her fall one by one, turning to ash. She survived, her clothes ragged, and that lotus leaf continued to follow her, guiding her through countless dangers.

One day, everyone around her died, leaving her utterly alone. She gazed at the collapsing world, where earth, water, wind, and fire surged. From within the flames, powerful figures emerged, advancing toward her.

“Finally, she is found...” someone in the flames laughed, a sound like weeping.

At that moment, the dying world suddenly fell still. The powerful, distorted figures in the flames also slowed to an eerie crawl. A tall figure parted the raging flames and walked toward her. The figure gradually became clear: his temples were gray, his face bore three eyes, and his gaze was gentle. He came directly before her.

“I've found you.”

The man's voice stirred a familiar feeling in Qin Lingjun, awakening the blurred voices in her memory.

“I've found you, my child.”

The man picked her up, kissed her face, and tears welled in his three eyes.

“Qin Lingjun, my child, your father is Qin Mu, and your mother is Ling Yuxiu. Your father transformed into chaos, traversing billions of years of history to find you. For you, only a few years have passed, but for him, billions of years of the Seventeenth Epoch have elapsed.” He lifted Qin Lingjun onto his shoulder, “Daughter of Chaos, from this day forward, your name shall be etched into the future!”