Chapter 838: Expanding Qin Mu

Yu Hongxiu was very wary of him. Compared to the upright and virtuous Dao Master Lin Xuan, Qin Mu seemed somewhat sinister, so she was naturally unwilling to join the Heavenly Saint Cult.

Dao Master Lin Xuan was very pleased, casting frequent, self-satisfied glances at Qin Mu.

Qin Mu had poached many people from him. Many Daoist priests from the Dao Sect had gone to Yankang to become officials, while others had gone to the Heavenly Saint Cult to study. Even more significantly, many younger generations chose to study at the Heavenly Saint Academy, with far fewer opting for the Dao Sect Academy.

Even he, the Dao Master, had unconsciously been swayed by Qin Mu, to the extent that for a period, he struggled to maintain his Dao heart and even considered joining the Heavenly Saint Cult.

It was hard to imagine how difficult it was to poach from Qin Mu. Now, he had finally achieved something.

Qingyun Heaven.

The Sect Master of Qingyun was surprised to see them return from outside. Lin Xuan recounted their recent experiences, which dispelled his doubts.

"Yu Chenzi has already gone to prepare for framing Mother Earth Yuanjun. He will transport the bodies to the heartland of Mother Earth Yuanjun's territory, arranging battle traces and bodies along hundreds of miles of the route. Even if the Roaring Heaven Divine Clan investigates, they will only conclude that demigods under Mother Earth Yuanjun ambushed them."

The Sect Master of Qingyun said, "Rest assured, Yu Chenzi is meticulous and highly skilled in divination and arithmetic. He will execute this flawlessly, leaving no trace."

Qin Mu nodded. Qingyun Heaven was a branch of the Dao Sect, specializing in divination and arithmetic. Even the Celestial Heavens needed to invite Daoist priests from Qingyun Heaven when creating the Celestial Map.

As someone esteemed even by the Sect Master of Qingyun, Yu Chenzi must be exceptionally skilled in divination. Since he could comprehend complex calculations, his execution would naturally be flawless.

"However, arranging for young friend Xiao and young friend Yu to fake their deaths and escape will be somewhat difficult."

The Sect Master of Qingyun glanced at Xiao Chunfeng and Yu Hongxiu, saying, "You both have names registered in the Celestial Heavens. If the Celestial Heavens want to ascertain your whereabouts, they only need to consult the Book of Life and Death to know your fates. To sever the Book of Life and Death's connection, you must use the book itself to cancel your living records. This way, you won't be traceable. Even if the Celestial Heavens use the Book of Life and Death to search, they will only find that you are dead. However, a treasure like the Book of Life and Death is exceedingly rare in this world..."

"This is simple," Qin Mu said with a smile. "I also have a Book of Life and Death here." With that, he took out the book.

Everyone stared at him in astonishment. Xiao Chunfeng exclaimed, "You have a treasure like that too?"

Qin Mu chuckled, "Is the Book of Life and Death very precious? This one was given to me by two Daoist brothers, Grand Venerable and Xing Han, from Yankang. I've even seen this treasure with the Disciple of the Yin Emperor."

Everyone was speechless. Yu Hongxiu thought to herself, "Didn't they say the lower realm was a backward, impoverished place? How is it that even treasures like the Book of Life and Death are commonplace and can even be given away? Is the lower realm poor, or is the Celestial Heavens poor?"

"The true Book of Life and Death is a treasure forged by Earth Lord using the Grand Dao rules of Youdu. There is only one in the world, held by King Tian Qi Ren Sheng. All other Books of Life and Death are imitations created by Black Emperor Yin Tianzi and King Tian Qi Ren Sheng."

The Sect Master of Qingyun took the Book of Life and Death and said, "Although it's an imitation, the Book of Life and Death forged by Yin Tianzi possesses functions that the Youdu Book of Life and Death does not, making it far superior to the original in many ways."

He opened the Book of Life and Death, illuminated Xiao Chunfeng and Yu Hongxiu with it, and struck off their living records. He then added, "Normally, this kind of treasure is used for locating people or verifying true identities, which is a minor application. Its major use is as a devastating weapon capable of eradicating an entire race; even ordinary gods and devils cannot contend with it! Who are these Grand Venerable and Xing Han? Could you perhaps also gift a Book of Life and Death to my Qingyun Heaven?"

Qin Mu took back the Book of Life and Death and shook his head, "They only had this one. When they 'gave' it to me, it pained them greatly, and they chased me for a long time."

The Sect Master of Qingyun's eyes widened as he finally realized what Qin Mu meant by "gave."

"So, 'gave' in his lexicon means 'stole' or 'robbed'."

Qingyun Heaven had made proper arrangements for the deaths of the Celestial Heavens' envoys, saving Qin Mu and Lin Xuan much trouble. The subsequent matters were mostly irrelevant to Qin Mu, primarily concerning Lin Xuan discussing the Daoist priests from the Yankang Dao Sect coming to Qingyun Heaven for studies.

The Yankang Dao Sect had now become the Dao Sect Academy of Yankang. Once they learned the skills of Qingyun Heaven, they would undoubtedly spread them throughout Yankang.

The four great sacred lands of yesteryear had now all transformed into academies, shedding their former martial arts sect characteristics.

Great Thunderclap Temple established the Thunderclap Academy, Wang Muran founded the Jade Capital Academy, and the Heavenly Saint Cult formed the Heavenly Saint Academy. Each academy had its unique strengths.

Qin Mu further divided the Heavenly Saint Academy into over 360 universities, scattered across Yankang, with various hall masters and deputy hall masters responsible for teaching scholars. It was a thriving system.

Besides the four great sacred lands, other sects and factions of that era also rebranded themselves, establishing primary schools and universities, attempting to survive in Yankang's era of reform. If they remained stagnant, they would quickly be eliminated by the times.

Conservative sects, without any external force to destroy them, would naturally perish due to dwindling numbers.

This was the surging tide of Yankang's reform. The irresistible momentum was like a raging flood; those who resisted would simply be swept away. Only by adapting, by building boats and rafts with the current, could one hope for survival.

Reflecting on Yankang's reforms years ago, various sects and factions tried to kill the Yankang Imperial Preceptor and replace the emperor, with constant rebellions across the land. Yet, now, all sects and factions had no choice but to reform and adapt to the era.

Qin Mu, Lin Xuan, and the others were firsthand witnesses. To them, this historical process had become commonplace, evoking little emotion, but recalling it still stirred a profound sense of exhilaration.

"Cult Master Qin, although the disciples of the gods sent by the Celestial Heavens died at your and Dao Master Lin's hands this time, the Celestial Heavens will still send people to continue creating a perfect Celestial Map to stifle any potential seeds of rebellion in the Primordial Realm."

The Sect Master of Qingyun saw them off, saying, "When the Celestial Heavens send another envoy, my Qingyun Heaven will still fully assist them in creating the Celestial Map, and the map will still be made. As long as the Dao Ancestor has not spoken, my Qingyun Heaven will not betray the Celestial Heavens. For this, I ask for Cult Master Qin's understanding."

Qin Mu's expression turned solemn. He said gravely, "Sect Master, rest assured, I understand the implications."

The Sect Master of Qingyun smiled and continued, "There's one more thing: regarding the person who stole treasures from my Qingyun Heaven, no matter what their relationship is with Cult Master Qin, my Qingyun Heaven will certainly send people to pursue and kill him, and reclaim our stolen property. I ask for Cult Master Qin's understanding on this matter as well."

He sighed, "We are not confident in pursuing this divine thief and reclaiming the treasures, but it concerns the reputation of my Qingyun Heaven and the Dao Sect, so we must do it regardless."

Qin Mu's face flushed slightly. He stammered, "Sect Master, please be merciful. Oh, and by the way, Sect Master, could you possibly cede a mountain peak?"

The Sect Master of Qingyun inquired, then burst out laughing, "That's a small matter. Whichever mountain you fancy, rename it, and let that White Rift Deity go there."

Qin Mu expressed his gratitude and, with Dao Master Lin Xuan and the others, departed Qingyun Heaven, accompanied by the Dragon Qilin and Water Qilin.

Beside Lu County, Qin Mu arranged for the White Rift Deity. The deity was immensely grateful, shedding tears, and promptly went to his new post on New Centennial Mountain by the river.

By the river, Qin Mu, Lin Xuan, Xiao Chunfeng, Yu Hongxiu, and the others looked towards the Surging River. The Heavenly River's waters flowed ceaselessly, and the river surface was as vast as the sea.

"Cult Master Qin, we shall part ways here."

Lin Xuan and Daoist Cha packed their belongings. Lin Xuan tossed his horsetail whisk into the air, which transformed into a white dragon soaring. The two sat on its back. Lin Xuan then reached out, pulled Yu Hongxiu onto the dragon's back, and chuckled, "We are returning to the Dao Sect. If Cult Master Qin wishes to learn the Taiwei Arithmetical Scripture, you can find me there."

Qin Mu nodded, saying, "The Primordial Realm is not safe right now, so please be careful on your journey. I will come to the Dao Sect after I find Imperial Brother."

Lin Xuan looked down at Xiao Chunfeng and said, "Senior Brother Xiao, the Dao Sect is quite far, let's hurry. Come up quickly."

Xiao Chunfeng's gaze remained fixed on Qin Mu. He hadn't moved. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "Qin Overlord Body, our battle was interrupted by the Dao Ancestor before it concluded. Don't you want to know who is stronger, you or I? You may be Yankang's Overlord Body, but you are not the Celestial Heavens' Overlord Body."

Cold sweat beaded on Lin Xuan's forehead as he inwardly groaned.

Yu Hongxiu's eyes flickered. She whispered, "Dao Master Lin, aren't you looking forward to this battle?"

Lin Xuan shook his head, "Senior Brother Xiao is still a step behind Cult Master Qin; he's no match for him."

"A mere step of difference! Who knows who will emerge victorious?"

Yu Hongxiu exclaimed excitedly, "Besides, Senior Brother Xiao is one of the top few disciples among the younger generation of the Celestial Heavens' Dao Sect. He's also a first-generation child of an ancient god, with extremely noble bloodline! His combat power is among the best in the Celestial Heavens' Divine Bridge realm! This battle will be worth watching!"

Dao Master Lin Xuan grunted, "A step behind, there's no point in fighting. Even after Senior Brother Xiao learns the Taiwei Arithmetical Scripture, he still won't be able to win, unless he can acquire all the reform achievements of Yankang; only then might he contend with Cult Master Qin. However, that person isn't him, it's Xu Shenghua. But even Xu Shenghua, not having learned the Heavenly River Divine Treasure yet, is still a step behind Cult Master Qin..."

Just as Yu Hongxiu was about to speak, the river surface shimmered. Xiao Chunfeng took a step forward, and in the next moment, a divine bridge spanned the Surging River. His primordial spirit emerged, standing atop the bridge, holding a mortar and a chopping axe, his figure tall and imposing!

Xiao Chunfeng's vital qi erupted. A full moon rose from the river surface, and countless arithmetical runes transformed into stars orbiting the moon, like a stellar river coiling around a colossal moon, even eclipsing the sun's brilliance!

Xiao Chunfeng laughed loudly, "Yankang's Overlord Body, do you dare to fight?"

On the white dragon's back, Yu Hongxiu excitedly clenched her hands and smiled at Dao Master Lin Xuan, "Senior Brother Xiao is using his bloodline power..."

By the riverbank, Qin Mu stepped forward. Behind him, a Heavenly River descended from the sky, connecting to the Celestial Palace, vast and surging. His primordial spirit stood upon the Heavenly River.

Dao Master Lin Xuan sighed.

In an instant, colossal waves surged on the Surging River, even shattering space and tearing a large hole in the sky above the river!

Yu Hongxiu only managed to witness the star river collapsing and the bright moon shattering. Then, the river surface exploded, intensely turbulent for over a dozen moments, before settling back into calm.

The Dragon Qilin and Water Qilin trod along the riverbank, ran past the settled battlefield, and followed Qin Mu, who emerged from the receding waves, heading towards the opposite bank.

The sapphire-blue Water Qilin even paused, peered into the river, then quickly caught up with Qin Mu.

A moment later, Xiao Chunfeng floated up from beneath the river, sprawled face-up on the water, looking as if he had been trampled by countless wild oxen a thousand times over. His face was bruised and swollen, his clothes tattered, and his eyes stared blankly at the sky.

Dao Master Lin Xuan sighed again, activating his vital qi. A dragon whisker extended from the white dragon, coiling around Xiao Chunfeng on the river surface and lifting him onto the dragon's back.

As Dao Master Lin Xuan treated him, he muttered, "Cult Master Qin has less and less medical ethics. Before, he would at least treat those he injured, though he charged a bit much. Now he's swollen with pride and can't be bothered with such small sums..."