Chapter 917: Will Meet Under the Moon at Yaotai

The person from a million years ago has returned.

The Celestial Heavens were splendid, adorned with gold and jade, countless gods and demons residing in this incredibly luxurious world. Originally, the Celestial Heavens were peaceful, at least on the surface. Even when the Celestial armies descended to eradicate the Earth Mother Sovereign and pacify the Primordial Realm, it caused no ripples within the Celestial Heavens.

Now, however, the once tranquil Celestial Heavens were like a calm lake disturbed by a thrown stone, sending ripples across its surface. Various rumors spread everywhere, reaching not only the inner courts but also the ears of the Celestial Venerables, becoming the talk of the entire Celestial Heavens.

That person had returned.

A million years ago, in the early years of the Dragon Han era, that person was bestowed the title of Celestial Venerable by the Celestial Emperor, becoming one of the Nine Celestial Venerables. His unparalleled Dao arts and divine abilities captivated an entire era. He transmitted doctrines on behalf of Celestial Venerable Yu, establishing the Celestial Palace cultivation system for the world. He also severely wounded Celestial Venerable Hao, leaving him bedridden for many years without recovery.

Today, the Celestial Emperor remained aloof from worldly affairs, and Celestial Venerable Hao was the supreme being, wielding authority over the Celestial Heavens, sitting high above all. Yet, the person who had gravely wounded him had vanished without a trace, disappearing from the world for a million years.

Further reports claimed that when Celestial Venerable Hao wielded the strongest weapon to quell rebellions in the lower realm, that person, using the Earth Mother's hand, severely wounded Celestial Venerable Hao's primordial spirit. Other rumors stated that the person was the Divine Son of Youdu, who encountered resistance from the Four Emperors of the Celestial Heavens and sustained severe injuries. Another piece of news circulated: that person had dug out his own soul, becoming soulless, and was now utterly powerless. Yet, other reports indicated that this person had killed many young Celestial Heavenly powerhouses in the Primordial Realm, with countless ancient gods and disciples of the Four Emperors perishing by his hand. Some gods and demons who returned from the lower realm claimed that the person's aura was faint, and he did not have long to live.

Countless individuals discussed the person's arrival, talking about him constantly. A peculiar atmosphere pervaded the Celestial Heavens, with undercurrents swirling beneath its tranquil surface.

Questions arose concerning the Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird's ship, which had arrived at the Celestial Heavens that day, and its potential connection to the individual. Whispers circulated that the Eastern Emperor had left the Eastern Pole, and the Western Emperor had similarly departed from the Western Pole. The Heavenly River's waters were reportedly acting strangely, with recent rises in level, leading some to suspect that the Northern Emperor Black Tortoise had secretly arrived at the Celestial Heavens. There were also rumors that the Four Emperors of the Celestial Heavens had petitioned the Celestial Emperor, indicating their imminent return, with some saying the Black Emperor had already arrived. It was further reported that many ancient gods from the Great Wilderness had come to the Celestial Heavens to report for duty, including the Great Sun Star Lord. Furthermore, the Dao Ancestor, who had been missing for many years, had returned to the Celestial Heavens' Daoist sect, and the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha, after sleeping for countless years, had also awakened and arrived at the Celestial Heavens, immediately seeking out the Dao Ancestor. The general consensus was that the situation in the Celestial Heavens felt unsettlingly strange.

Reports also claimed that the person had reached Jade Pool, intending to meet the Empress Mother. This was seen as incredibly audacious, given that he had severely wounded Celestial Venerable Hao at Jade Pool a million years ago. The Empress Mother was said to have granted him residence in the Looping Corridor Pavilion, the very place where Celestial Venerable Yu had been assassinated.

One individual, who personally visited Jade Pool, described seeing the person: "His aura was withered, he was emaciated, and his complexion was very poor, with his vital energy constantly draining away. I suspect he came to reminisce about old friends, seeking death, waiting to see who would be provoked into killing him and then bear the eternal infamy!" Another questioned, "Who would dare to kill him? Aren't they afraid of being attacked by political enemies?" To which a reply came, "There are many who want him dead, and many ways to achieve it. After the deed, one only needs to find a few scapegoats." A prevailing sentiment concluded: "The Celestial Heavens now are no longer the ones he knew from back then."

***

**Jade Pool Holy Land, Looping Corridor Pavilion.**

Qin Mu stood by the window of the Looping Corridor Pavilion, gazing at the enormous lotus flowers in the Jade Sea and the divine turtles carrying divine mountains as they roamed its depths, just as they had before.

His body was somewhat emaciated, and his complexion indeed looked poor. Revisiting this familiar place filled him with myriad emotions.

Though the core structure of the current Celestial Heavens remained unchanged from the early Dragon Han era, it was vastly different. Back then, there were thirty-six Celestial Palaces and seventy-two Treasure Halls near the Celestial Heavens. Now, most of those palaces and halls had been relocated, spread across the universe to suppress the cosmos, with only a few remaining. Even so, the Celestial Heavens had grown far larger than before, with thousands of towers and myriad halls, incredibly luxurious.

Jade Pool had also been rebuilt. The original Jade Pool was already extremely vast, but after a million years, this one was more like a Jade Sea, with breathtaking sacred scenery. It was here that he had attended the Jade Pool Grand Assembly and experienced a major upheaval, an event that influenced a million years of historical progression. Both he and Emperor Kai had achieved their feats through cleverness, astonishing an era with knowledge that was a million years ahead of the early Dragon Han period. Had they been born in that era, perhaps they would have been nothing more than two inconspicuous figures in that magnificent age.

This was also why many of the younger generation in the Celestial Heavens looked down on him. These young people believed that if they were to travel back to the early Dragon Han era, they would perform even better than him, not worse.

Yan'er came to his side, holding a plate of fruit, and said, "Young Master, the palace maids picked some fruit. I just had Fatty Dragon and Young Master Qi taste them. They're still alive, so there shouldn't be any poison."

Behind her, Qi Jiuyi and Long Qilin's faces darkened upon hearing this, and their hearts ached.

The Phoenix ship had dropped them off outside the South Heavenly Gate and immediately returned to the Primordial Realm. Only Qi Jiuyi remained, concerned for Long Qilin's safety. Upon Qin Mu's arrival, news spread throughout the Celestial Heavens. He requested an audience with the Empress Mother, who did not appear but instead sent someone to invite him to stay at Jade Pool, specifically in the Looping Corridor Pavilion, where Celestial Venerable Yu was assassinated. The palace maids here were all attendants of the Empress Mother, every one of them a deity, resplendent and captivating.

However, Yan'er was concerned that someone might poison Qin Mu, so she made Qi Jiuyi and Long Qilin taste every food item first. Only if they were fine would she allow Qin Mu to eat it.

"Sister Yan'er, you don't need to be so cautious," Qin Mu said with a smile. "I am also skilled in medicine; poisoning through food should not be easy." Qin Mu laughed, "Moreover, the Celestial Heavens have no need to resort to poisoning to eliminate me. They have plenty of other methods."

Qi Jiuyi's eyes flickered as he looked around. "So, Cult Master Qin," he said, "this is the place where Celestial Venerable Yu, the head of the Nine Celestial Venerables, was murdered?"

Qin Mu nodded gently. "This is also the origin of various catastrophes from Dragon Han to Eternal Peace."

Qi Jiuyi said, "I heard that the Heavenly Alliance originated here. Celestial Venerable Ling, Celestial Venerable Yun, and Celestial Venerable Yue established the Heavenly Alliance here, becoming the five founding elders of the Heavenly Alliance alongside Celestial Venerable Mu and Celestial Venerable Qin."

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. "I had already left by then," he said.

Qi Jiuyi glanced at him. "I heard that after the Heavenly Alliance was established, its leaders often came here for discussions. This place was considered a central altar for the Heavenly Alliance."

Qin Mu grew interested. "Who were the leaders of the Heavenly Alliance?" he asked.

"Currently, the Heavenly Alliance has ten principal leaders, all of whom have been bestowed the title of Celestial Venerable by His Majesty the Celestial Emperor. However, some ancient gods today do not recognize these ten Celestial Venerables, only acknowledging the original Nine Celestial Venerables." Qi Jiuyi listed them: "The first is Celestial Venerable Hao, the second is Celestial Venerable Huo, the third is Celestial Venerable Xiao, and the fourth is Ancestor God King, known as Celestial Venerable Zu. The fifth is Emperor Langxuan, Celestial Venerable Lang. The sixth is Consort Qiang, granted the title Celestial Venerable Qiang. The seventh is Consort Yan, granted the title Celestial Venerable Yan. The eighth is Celestial Venerable Hong, the ninth is Celestial Venerable Xu, and the tenth is Celestial Venerable Gong."

Qin Mu frowned. Among these ten new Celestial Venerables, he only recognized Hao, Huo, and the Ancestor God King, though he had only ever encountered the Ancestor God King's Celestial Venerable Yu weapon, not the person himself. As for the other Celestial Venerables, he had never even met them.

"What about Celestial Venerable Yue and Celestial Venerable You?" Qin Mu asked. "Why aren't they among the Ten Celestial Venerables?"

Qi Jiuyi shook his head. "I heard Celestial Venerable Yue and Celestial Venerable You had long ago retreated from the world and were not well-known. When His Majesty redefined the Celestial Venerable rankings, they were not included. The new Ten Celestial Venerables, on the other hand, all wield immense power within the Celestial Heavens. However, this new ranking of Celestial Venerables doesn't truly command widespread respect." He glanced around, lowering his voice. "Some say that the former Nine Celestial Venerables, with the exception of Celestial Venerable Qin, all possessed immense merit. They established the Divine Treasure cultivation system and the Celestial Palace cultivation system, their achievements vast, benefiting countless generations. Even Celestial Venerable Qin, his divine abilities during the battle at Jade Pool influenced countless individuals in later generations, so he could reluctantly be considered to have great merit. The current Celestial Venerables, however, rely solely on their strength and military exploits. As for great merit that influences future generations, they have none. Therefore, many in the Celestial Heavens are not convinced, and few refer to them as the Ten Celestial Venerables; they still speak of the Nine Celestial Venerables."

Qin Mu chuckled, "So, Brother Qi, you also believe I have great merit and am worthy of the title Celestial Venerable Mu?"

Qi Jiuyi first looked furious, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Although I find you incredibly irritating, ever since I learned you are Celestial Venerable Mu, who transmitted the method of becoming a god, I've developed a profound respect for you. It's just that every time I see you, I still can't help but feel a surge of disgust."

Qin Mu laughed heartily, about to inquire about the origins of Celestial Venerable Xiao, Celestial Venerable Zu, and the others, when a palace maid ascended the Looping Corridor Pavilion, presenting a visiting card. "Celestial Venerable," she announced, "you have a visitor."

Qin Mu suppressed his questions, took the visiting card, and smiled, "I knew someone would come seeking me eventually, but I didn't expect it so soon. Please invite them in."

The palace maid withdrew.

Qin Mu opened the visiting card to see the name Yun Jianli. He handed the card to Qi Jiuyi and asked, "Who is this Yun Jianli?"

Qi Jiuyi's expression subtly changed, looking a little displeased. "Yun Jianli is from the Yun family," he said.

Qin Mu asked, puzzled, "The Yun family? Which Yun family?"

"A descendant of Celestial Venerable Yun."

Qi Jiuyi explained, "It's said that after Celestial Venerable Yun's death, the Yun family survived, though their numbers are few. Each generation has only a single male heir, barely keeping the bloodline from dying out. However, every generation of the Yun family produces exceptionally brilliant talents. The strange thing is that when each generation cultivates to the Divine Bridge realm, they often suddenly die violently before even setting foot in a Celestial Palace. Thus, the Yun family usually has only one male descendant, with the rest being widows. Yun Jianli is the current generation's son, a rising star in the Celestial Heavens, known as the 'Sick Young Master.' As for his talent..." He twitched an eye. "Before I was ordered to descend to the lower realm to eliminate you, I came here and sparred with the young masters of the Celestial Heavens. He was very formidable."

Qin Mu smiled slightly. "At that time, you were a disciple of the Red Emperor and Black Emperor, practicing the ultimate techniques of two Emperor Seats. When I fought you then, your astonishing strength impressed both me and Zhe Huali greatly. However, you entered the Dao through the Red Emperor's cultivation method, so your divine ability reaction speed was not as fast as mine or Zhe Huali's. How do you compare to this Sick Young Master Yun Jianli?"

"I lost decisively," Qi Jiuyi admitted. He did not deny it. "I still haven't truly submitted to you," he said, "and I believe I might still defeat you. But I am utterly convinced by him, admitting I am far inferior. However, I have undergone the baptism of Eternal Peace's reforms. If we were to fight again today, the outcome would be uncertain."

Qin Mu was moved. Qi Jiuyi was already formidable, and having remained in the lower realm to help Xu Shenghua establish the Heavenly Academy, his insights and perspective had long surpassed their former state. Xu Shenghua was also a master of the Eternal Peace reforms, with unparalleled talent. Qi Jiuyi's current strength was undoubtedly far greater than before. Yet, Qi Jiuyi only dared to say that the outcome of a rematch today would be uncertain, which indicated how utterly devastating his loss must have been back then!

Just then, the palace maid led a man and a woman up to the Looping Corridor Pavilion. The young man leading them was tall and thin, dressed in elegant cloud-white robes, with a somewhat pale but handsome complexion. Although he possessed an enduring charisma, a lingering trace of black qi persisted between his eyebrows, making him appear gravely ill.

The Sick Young Master, Yun Jianli, bowed respectfully to Qin Mu. "Yun family's son," he said, "greets Celestial Venerable Mu."

Just as Qin Mu was about to help him up, he saw the woman behind Yun Jianli also gracefully bow. "Yun Chuxiu," she said, "greets Celestial Venerable Mu."

Upon seeing the woman, Yun Chuxiu's, face, Qin Mu's mind was greatly shaken. Behind him, Yan'er immediately noticed tiny, dense goosebumps erupting on Qin Mu's neck, clearly indicating that Qin Mu felt immense danger and was incredibly nervous!

"Why is Young Master so nervous about this girl named Yun Chuxiu?" Yan'er looked at the girl and found herself somewhat captivated, secretly praising, "Cloud wants to be her dress, flowers want to be her face. Such a beautiful girl is rare in the world, no less stunning than Young Master's mother-in-law, Si Youyou."

The woman's appearance was pure and ethereal, like the most beautiful goddess stepping out of ancient legends or paintings. Every frown, every smile, every movement was utterly natural and flawless.

Yet, Qin Mu felt an overwhelming, bone-chilling cold.

He had seen this woman before.

A chill surged from the depths of Qin Mu's heart: "Shouldn't she be buried alongside the Empress Mother, both in coffins on the ghost ship? Absolute Dustless, how are you out..."