Chapter 378: Replacing Heaven's Justice

The blood rain wasn't heavy, nor did it cover a wide area. It fell precisely on the mountain slope where they were. Qin Mu saw many trees, flowers, and plants in this forest growing at an astonishing speed. The trees became tall and lush, and the surrounding spiritual energy was so dense it seemed to be solidifying, flowing in ribbons and belts around the large trees.

A milky white mist also permeated the flowers and plants, making them exceptionally vibrant and tender.

After such a long period of rain, lakes, ditches, and rivers were all full. Now, in these lakes and rivers, countless fish were growing rapidly, becoming like the fish monsters from Grand Myriad, several meters long. Some fish grew legs and feet, jumping onto the shore, opening their mouths filled with sharp teeth to catch the drizzling blood rain from the sky.

Some auspicious beasts in the mountains expanded in size, with various branched bone spurs protruding from their bodies, looking quite frightening.

Even the mermaid beauties in the lake became abnormally large, their once beautiful faces transforming into strange and grotesque forms.

The divine blood contained too much energy, easily causing living things to grow into deformed monsters. This growth was uncontrolled; areas touched by the blood rain first grew faster and often became much larger than other parts.

Even plants and insects, being alive, were drenched by the blood rain, making this mountain slope resemble another Grand Myriad.

In Qin Mu's view, this was because the powerful Yin-Yang, Four Symbols, and Five Elements energies within the divine blood altered the internal balance of these life forms, leading to mutation. This was still different from the Grand Myriad.

The exotic beasts in Grand Myriad primarily possessed divine and demonic bloodlines, a matter of heredity. However, the exotic beasts on this mountain slope mutated primarily by absorbing the powerful energy from the divine blood.

“Which god has fallen? Is it the Dragon Keeper Lord?” Mu Qingdai whispered.

Outside the main hall, colorful auroras and white mists covered the mountains and plains, making the place seem like a holy land. However, if they were to step into the blood rain, they would likely mutate just like the creatures in the mountains.

But if they avoided direct contact with the blood rain, they could cultivate here, drawing upon the immense divine power. For divine abilities practitioners, this was undoubtedly a sacred place for cultivation!

In terms of spiritual and divine power alone, even the three great sacred lands of Eternal Peace Kingdom paled in comparison to this place. After all, neither the Heavenly Devil Cult, the Dao Sect, nor the Great Thunderclap Temple could possibly kill a god to nourish their sacred grounds.

“Grandma originally lived in this desolate place, intending to trap Li Tianxing with her own body. She probably never imagined this place would become a sacred land for cultivation, did she?”

Qin Mu’s expression turned strange. He carefully caught a drop of divine blood with his Carefree Sword, examined it, and shook his head, saying, “This isn’t the Dragon Keeper Lord’s blood. The Dragon Keeper Lord’s blood is dragon blood, and the divine power contained in this blood is not dragon blood…”

His expression suddenly became even stranger: “I’ve seen this divine blood before.”

Qin Mu flicked his sword, and the drop of divine blood flowed to its tip. He maneuvered the sword with his wrist, and the divine blood continuously moved on the blade but never slipped off.

Suddenly, the energy within the sword erupted, instantly activating the power of the divine blood on its blade. Like an exploding divine ability, the surging energy collided with Qin Mu’s move, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

Qin Mu nodded, stating gravely, “I have indeed seen this divine blood. Over a year ago, when the snow disaster suddenly stopped, it was because the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace found the divine being who unleashed it and fought a great battle with him. The Imperial Preceptor was severely injured by that divine being, and the divine being also sustained injuries and bled. When I helped treat the Imperial Preceptor’s injuries, I saw that divine being’s blood, and the energy within it is very similar to this drop.”

At that time, Qin Mu used a sword pellet given to him by the mute to bridge and connect the residual divine ability and divine blood within the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace’s body. This ignited the energies of both the divine ability and the divine blood, causing them to neutralize each other, alleviating the Imperial Preceptor’s injuries, after which he could be treated.

However, that sword pellet was also greatly diminished by this energy. The mute had given Qin Mu the sword pellet to use against the village chief, and also for him to comprehend more profound artifact forging techniques. Qin Mu had regretted its loss for a while.

Qin Mu remembered that period vividly because, at the time, Emperor Yanfeng was also besieged by the old Dao master and Elder Buddha, nearly dying, and Qin Mu had also treated him.

At that time, both the Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Yanfeng had become cripples, utterly miserable. The Imperial Preceptor had retreated with his wife to a small mountain valley, and his wife was pregnant.

“The god killed by the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon is the very god who brought the snow disaster!”

Qin Mu’s gaze flickered, and he said softly, “This is retribution; he got what he deserved. During the snow disaster, the victims were mostly poor families, and Eternal Peace Kingdom’s population decreased by twenty to thirty percent, with more deaths than all previous wars combined.”

The three from Little Jade Capital remained silent.

When the snow disaster erupted, the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace went to Little Jade Capital. The Tranquil Mountain Hermit tried to persuade the couple to stay in Little Jade Capital to prevent the reforms. The immortals of Little Jade Capital believed that the Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Yanfeng’s reforms were the root cause of the snow disaster, and that the only way to avoid it was to halt the reforms.

Wang Muran and the others had also heard about this matter.

The Imperial Preceptor was dispirited for a few days but later left Little Jade Capital. Not long after, the snow disaster ceased, and the Tranquil Mountain Hermit still frowned in concern, telling them that the Imperial Preceptor remained determined to carry out the reforms.

At that time, neither the Imperial Preceptor nor the immortals of Little Jade Capital had foreseen events unfolding to this point. None of them expected a god to fall, especially not the very god who had brought the disaster.

No one could say or predict what changes the death of this god, killed by the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon, would bring to Eternal Peace Kingdom.

Qin Mu repeatedly rinsed the Emperor's Disc with clean water over a dozen times, still hesitant to touch it directly. He then concocted several more potions to wash and boil it before finally putting the Emperor's Disc away, still hanging it around his neck.

Outside, the blood rain gradually ceased, the dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and the heavens brightened. Qin Mu and the others stepped out of the main hall, floating in the air to avoid the bloodied ground.

Outside, the sky was clear and cloudless for miles, as if the divine battle above Eternal Peace Kingdom had been a dream that never happened.

Sunlight spilled from the west, the azure sky was spotless and incredibly clear, and the air seemed much fresher.

They stood in the air, looking around. Suddenly, Qin Mu looked north, where an enormous object was floating in the sky, moving towards them.

It was the platform of the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon, now inexplicably floating in the air and heading their way!

Emperor Yanfeng and the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace stood on the floating platform, their robes flapping in the wind. Many other Eternal Peace officials were also on the platform. Qin Mu had already taught Emperor Yanfeng how to control the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon, so it must have been Emperor Yanfeng who fired that shot.

On the platform, the flames from the alchemy furnace emitted a white light, and the central, god-eye-shaped divine cannon slowly rotated, exuding terrifying power.

Emperor Yanfeng was beaming, full of vigor and high spirits.

“The divine cannon you created shot down a god.”

Long Yu said to Qin Mu, “This era has changed; mortals can now kill gods from their lofty positions. Human Emperor, is this a good thing or a bad thing?”

“I don’t know. I only know that gods can no longer act with impunity!”

Qin Mu’s mind was stirred; the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon he had created had blasted down a lofty god, and this was the highest honor!

Long Yu looked at him, then suddenly said meaningfully, “Human Emperor, Little Jade Capital has many ancient texts. If you have time, I suggest you read about the history of previous eras.”

Qin Mu paused slightly, then walked toward the approaching platform, smiling, “I still need to return to the capital to research the cultivation of Primordial Spirit in the Six Directions realm with Sister Yuxiu and to promote the reforms. When I have time, I’ll go to Little Jade Capital again; the old immortals there also promised to let me enter the Five Qi Palace once more.”

Long Yu sighed, saying nothing more.

Wang Muran was engrossed in cultivation, and Mu Qingdai also found it hard to stay put. Among the three disciples of Little Jade Capital, he was the only one who was composed, and he had read many of Little Jade Capital’s ancient texts.

While the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon blasting a god was indeed shocking, the potential consequences filled him with worry.

Wang Muran and Mu Qingdai also walked towards the platform, and Long Yu had no choice but to follow.

“Your Majesty! Imperial Preceptor!”

Qin Mu and the others landed on the platform, and Qin Mu paid his respects. Emperor Yanfeng, unable to hide his excitement, waved his hand and chuckled, “Minister Qin, no need for formalities! This cannon…”

Qin Mu smiled, “Did Your Majesty enjoy it?”

Emperor Yanfeng, full of vigor, burst into laughter, “Enjoy it? More than enjoy it! With this shot, I directly obliterated the god who brought the disaster; it was delivering justice on behalf of heaven! It’s a pity those other gods ran too fast, otherwise, the Imperial Preceptor and Minister Qin could have enjoyed it too!”

The historian behind him coughed and whispered, “Your Majesty, mind your words…”

Emperor Yanfeng waved his hand, chuckling, “Just don’t write it down. I’ve long wanted to fire a shot like that, but the consumption of materials is simply too much. If not for hearing that Minister Qin was in danger this time, abducted by a strange-looking god, and with a divine battle happening here, I would have had no chance to use this grand cannon! Oh, by the way, Minister Qin, come meet the aggrieved party, the sect master of the Supreme White Sword Sect. He came to lodge a complaint, claiming that you, with a strange-looking formidable being and a group of flood dragons, occupied his Supreme White Sword Sect.”

Qin Mu looked behind Emperor Yanfeng and saw a white-haired old man step forward, smiling.

“This sect master claims that you and that strange person swallowed his Supreme White Sword Sect’s treasures.”

Emperor Yanfeng laughed, “I felt something was amiss at the time, so I invited the Imperial Preceptor. The Imperial Preceptor said your Heavenly Saint Cult didn’t have so many flood dragons, and that you had most likely run into trouble.”

Qin Mu thanked the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace shook his head, saying, “Don’t thank me. Thank the Supreme White Sect Master; if he hadn’t come to lodge a complaint, no one would have known you were in danger.”

The Supreme White Sect Master quickly said, “Ignorance is no crime. I originally thought Cult Master Qin intended to occupy my Supreme White Sword Sect and seize its treasures, which is why I rushed to the capital to complain. I didn’t expect to have actually rendered a service instead. Cult Master Qin, are there any treasures in my Mount Supreme White? If you truly obtained any treasures, could you please return them to my Supreme White Sword Sect?”

“Well…”

Qin Mu looked troubled, genuinely conflicted in his heart, wondering whether or not to tell the Supreme White Sect Master the truth.

Suddenly, a soldier flew forward and reported, “Your Majesty, the god’s corpse has been found!”

Emperor Yanfeng’s spirits soared. He waved his hand and commanded, “Bring it up!”