Chapter 934: True and False Mu Tianzun

The purpose of establishing the Celestial Alliance was to overthrow the rule of the Ancient Gods, to overthrow "Heaven," which, during the Dragon Han era, referred to the Ancient Gods.

At that time, as the leader of the Celestial Alliance, Celestial Venerable Yun had to unite all forces. Whether demigods or post-celestial beings, anyone aspiring to overthrow the Ancient Gods could join the Celestial Alliance.

After they eradicated the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, the Celestial Alliance's power grew steadily. Eventually, Celestial Venerable Yun realized that in overthrowing "Heaven," they had also become "Heaven" themselves.

By then, however, he was powerless to change the Celestial Alliance's current state. He had become an obstacle to its rule over the world.

Knowing his death was inevitable, he devised a plan for the future, one to be executed through the hands of the Dao Ancestor.

"Celestial Venerable Yun intended to use the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor to splinter the Celestial Alliance," the Dao Ancestor continued. "If necessary, he could even expose the Heavenly Emperor, which would force the Celestial Alliance to temporarily abandon its suppression of the lower realms and instead focus on eliminating the Heavenly Emperor."

The Dao Ancestor continued: "This would buy the lower realms crucial time for development."

Qin Mu's heart was greatly shaken.

Celestial Venerable Yun's foresight was truly profound!

The Celestial Alliance could under no circumstances allow the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor to revive; only with his death would they be unchallenged. If the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor were to resurrect, all their efforts would be in vain.

This is because every Ancient God has flaws and weaknesses and must act in accordance with their respective Grand Dao rules. The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, however, is different.

He is not bound by the Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth.

Such a Heavenly Emperor is the most terrifying.

If they knew that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was not truly dead, that his soul had reincarnated and infiltrated their ranks among the Ten Celestial Venerables, the alliance formed by the Ten Celestial Venerables would instantly crumble and fall apart.

Should they discover the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's identity, they would cast aside all their grievances and unite to eliminate him.

"Then, during the outbreak of the Yankang Calamity, why did you not reveal the identity of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor?" Qin Mu asked.

His heart was heavy. So many had died during the Yankang Calamity; it was when he felt most helpless and deeply struck, almost unable to recover. Yet, for the sake of those who survived, he endured and forged a new path.

However, if the Dao Ancestor had revealed the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's identity at that time, shifting the blame to him, perhaps the Yankang Calamity would not have occurred.

The Dao Ancestor shook his head: "It was not yet time."

Qin Mu's voice was hoarse: "Not yet time? When will it be time? How many more must die for it to be time?"

The Dao Ancestor's gaze was profound: "When the Kaihuang Calamity erupted, I did not reveal the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, nor was the Yankang Calamity the right moment. The crucial issue is that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's strength is currently insufficient to contend with the Celestial Alliance. Facing nine opponents alone, he cannot withstand them. After his death, the lower realms possessed no power or means to resist the Celestial Alliance. Post-celestial beings must achieve sufficient strength to resist the Celestial Alliance, and the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor must also be strong enough to tear the Celestial Alliance apart. That will be the optimal moment."

His expression was indifferent: "As the executor of Celestial Venerable Yun's plan, I must be absolutely rational and await this opportune moment. Before then, no matter how many die, I must continue to wait."

Qin Mu was silent for a moment, then asked: "Which Celestial Venerable is the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor?"

"Celestial Venerable Mu, I will not tell you."

The Dao Ancestor's expression was calm: "You are not suited to be the executor of Celestial Venerable Yun's plan. You are too impulsive and often expose your hand due to momentary passion. I am not; I can disregard the lives of billions. You are a Celestial Venerable admired by countless people; a Celestial Venerable need not bear such infamy and sin. This kind of sin and infamy must be borne by the executor of Celestial Venerable Yun's plan."

A hint of a smile appeared on his aged face: "I have been preparing for half a million years, Celestial Venerable Mu. Do not snatch my credit."

Qin Mu bowed deeply to the ground, and the Dao Ancestor hastily returned the gesture.

"I am merely a simple brute, a nobody who, by sheer coincidence, traveled back to the early Dragon Han era and was fortunate enough to witness the seniors and sages of that time, even fortuitously becoming a Celestial Venerable. Yet, I bear the name of a Celestial Venerable without having accomplished anything before returning to the present."

Qin Mu lamented: "It is you who have fought for this, sacrificed and shed blood. I am not worthy of being a Celestial Venerable; you are."

The Dao Ancestor said: "By imparting the method of becoming a god, allowing the world to know of the Heavenly Court realm—this single act makes the title of Celestial Venerable well-deserved. Moreover, Celestial Venerable has done far more than that. Celestial Venerable Mu, perhaps you should leave the Heavenly Court now."

Qin Mu was slightly startled, not understanding his meaning.

The Dao Ancestor said: "Celestial Venerable Hao visited me, asking if it was possible to use the creation artifact in the Zaofu Heavenly Palace to create a Celestial Venerable Mu. He wanted me to forge a Celestial Venerable Mu. On the night of the Jade Pool incident, I was also there, observing Celestial Venerable Mu for a long time. A few days ago, I handed him the blueprint for Celestial Venerable Mu."

Qin Mu was dumbfounded: "Dao Ancestor, you, you..."

The Dao Ancestor calmly stated: "Even if I hadn't given him the Celestial Venerable Mu blueprint, he would have found others skilled in numerology to create one. So I gave it to him. Once Celestial Venerable Hao creates a new Celestial Venerable Mu using the creation artifact, he will seize the opportunity to execute you and replace you with the one he created. He will have avenged his great grievance and can also use your prestige to accomplish many things."

Qin Mu's eyes widened, and he slowly exhaled a breath.

The Dao Ancestor continued: "Thus, the Heavenly Court has many ways to deal with you. Celestial Venerable Hao might seem reckless, but he is deeply cunning. He was present on the night of the Jade Pool incident, but his goal was not to kill you; it was merely a facade to gauge how many in the Heavenly Court still opposed him. He has achieved his objective, and I have even recorded your physical data to create an obedient Celestial Venerable Mu."

Qin Mu's heart pounded. The Celestial Venerable Hao described by the Dao Ancestor was almost a completely different person from the one commonly imagined!

"So, you should leave the Heavenly Court."

The Dao Ancestor said: "I can send you back to the lower realms."

Qin Mu composed himself and shook his head: "The Heavenly Court is not yet in chaos; how can I return? If I suddenly disappear after arriving here, anyone with eyes would know you sent me away. I cannot implicate you."

He smiled: "It won't be that easy for Celestial Venerable Hao to kill me. I have one more question for you, Dao Ancestor: do you know how to reach the Void?"

The Dao Ancestor shook his head: "Do not stir up trouble. You should leave the Heavenly Court as quickly as possible."

Yan'er and Dragon Qilin were outside the small temple, chatting with two toads. These toads were inherently lazy; when spoken to, their eyes would retract flat into their heads. Only when Yan'er tempted them with spirit pills would their eyes pop out.

"These two toads must taste delicious," Qi Jiuyi said with a laugh.

Suddenly, the two toads popped their eyes out and glanced at him. Qi Jiuyi felt as if he had plunged into an ice cave; all sights before him vanished, leaving only four enormous eyes surrounding him.

Qin Mu walked out of the small temple and gave a surprised look at the stiffened Qi Jiuyi. Only then did the strange phenomenon before Qi Jiuyi vanish.

He shivered several times, a hint of fear in his eyes. The two toads' abilities were far beyond his reach.

The Heavenly Court's Dao Master saw them off, escorting them out of the Jade Purity Heavenly Palace.

Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then said to Yun Chuxiu: "I've heard there's a Zaofu Heavenly Palace in the Heavenly Court containing a creation artifact. Could you, my dear sister, take me to see it? I plan to borrow the Zaofu Heavenly Palace to construct several spirit energy teleportation bridges to facilitate travel between the Heavenly Court and the lower realms."

Yun Chuxiu rolled her eyes at him, then let out a giggle: "Calling me 'dear sister'..."

Qi Jiuyi and Yun Jianli shuddered, watching the two in horror. This woman was either Empress Dowager or Lady Yuanmu, yet Qin Mu dared to call her "dear sister."

"Does this Celestial Venerable Mu, who came from the lower realms, know how many ways there are to write the character for 'death'?"

Yun Jianli's heart pounded. He thought: "That's right, I also once called Yun Chuxiu 'sister.' I must be courting death... I should go to the lower realms sooner!"

"Spirit energy teleportation bridges?"

Yun Chuxiu asked curiously: "To facilitate travel between the lower realms and the Heavenly Court? Is Celestial Venerable not afraid that the Heavenly Court's gods and devils will descend to the lower realms and ruin the people of Yankang?"

Qin Mu's expression was serious: "Yankang has already submitted to the Heavenly Court, is its subordinate, and is loyal. My dear sister, the Heavenly Court would not deal with loyal subjects and righteous warriors!"

"I'd be a ghost if I believed you!"

Yun Chuxiu chuckled, her eyes darting around. She then said earnestly: "Give me the blueprints for the spirit energy teleportation bridges, and I'll help you build a few. Breaking through the world barriers between the Heavenly Court and the lower realms is a serious matter. You haven't established yourself in the Heavenly Court yet, so you can't make decisions on this; it requires the nod of a Celestial Venerable."

Qin Mu took out the blueprints for the spirit energy teleportation bridges and handed them all to her. The stack of blueprints was enormous. Yun Chuxiu pulled out a few, seeing the numerological runes on them, and couldn't help but frown. Seeing so many blueprints, she felt flustered and said: "This matter should be entrusted to the Dao Sect. Let the Dao Sect take these blueprints to the Zaofu Heavenly Palace and construct a few spirit energy teleportation bridges... Brother, Celestial Venerable, Ninth Brother, I'll go ahead!"

She swiftly departed with the blueprints, returning to the Jade Purity Heavenly Palace, thinking: "These spirit energy teleportation bridges are quite useful. They can connect the Heavenly Court with other heavens, not just the Primordial Realm. If I can create these kinds of spirit energy teleportation bridges, this palace can rule even more myriad worlds..."

Qin Mu, Qi Jiuyi, Yun Jianli, and others then walked towards the Jade Pool. Yun Jianli grew suspicious and, after enduring for a long time, finally asked: "Celestial Venerable, why did you give the spirit energy teleportation bridges to Yun Chuxiu? These bridges are immensely useful. If they connect the Heavenly Court with the Primordial Realm, the Heavenly Court's gods can descend whenever they wish, leaving the Primordial Realm no chance to react! The Heavenly Court's rule would only become more stable!"

Qin Mu nodded and smiled: "Yankang is currently just a small subordinate state under the Heavenly Court, and it's not rebelling. What is there to fear?"

Yun Jianli's doubts deepened. He said: "I don't believe you would be so foolish as to not understand the function of these spirit energy teleportation bridges. What exactly are you planning?"

Qin Mu did not answer, merely smiling: "With the spirit energy teleportation bridges, you too can go to the lower realms, no need to remain in the Heavenly Court."

He had set Yankang's future strategy: to decipher the eight forbidden laws that the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor had imposed on Yankang's reform, the most crucial of which was for Yankang to develop its forging industry, producing divine weapons and artifacts for the Heavenly Court.

To achieve this, trade routes had to be established.

Transporting goods from Yankang to the Heavenly Court, even with a peerless fast ship like the Phoenix Boat, would take a year for a round trip. If ordinary multi-decked ships were used, a single round trip might take a century.

Spirit energy teleportation bridges, however, could open trade routes, significantly shortening the trade time between Yankang and the Heavenly Court. This, in turn, would greatly accelerate Yankang's path to national prosperity through forging.

If spirit energy teleportation bridges were to spread across all heavens and myriad worlds, facilitating trade, and the myriad worlds were economically overwhelmed by Yankang, then the time for those myriad worlds to rebel would also be greatly accelerated!

However, these spirit energy teleportation bridges could not be built by him. If he proposed it, it would arouse suspicion from the other Celestial Venerables. The simplest and most effective method was to hand them over to the Empress Dowager for construction.

Once the Empress Dowager built them, other Celestial Venerables, seeking profit, would also construct them, thereby connecting all heavens and myriad worlds and achieving his objective!

Before they even reached the Jade Pool, a divine being suddenly blocked their path and bowed: "Celestial Venerable Mu, Celestial Venerable Hao requests your presence at the Haotian Palace for a banquet."

Qin Mu's heart skipped a beat. He sneered: "I have a grudge against him. His banquet certainly won't bode well. I'm not going!"

The divine being was stunned.

Qin Mu quickly departed. Yan'er, perched on his shoulder, noticed many tiny goosebumps appearing on the back of Qin Mu's neck.

"That fellow Celestial Venerable Hao has probably created another me using a creation artifact. Inviting me to a banquet is actually an attempt to kill me!"

Before they reached the Jade Pool, another woman approached and said: "Young Master Yun, Lady Yunxiao requests your return."

Yun Jianli had not seen that person before and was surprised, but he still followed the woman as instructed.

Not long after, a divine being under the Southern Heavenly Vermilion Emperor blocked their way and bowed: "The Vermilion Emperor misses Young Master and requests your presence."

Qi Jiuyi asked in surprise: "My Master is here? Isn't she in the lower realms? Second Brother, please come with me!"

Dragon Qilin looked at Qin Mu. Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he said: "Go ahead."

Qi Jiuyi and Dragon Qilin followed the divine being away together.

Qin Mu smiled: "Soon, someone from the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Southern Emperor will come to invite Sister Yan'er to meet the Southern Emperor."

Yan'er was surprised and asked with a smile: "How do you know?"

Qin Mu did not reply.

A moment later, indeed, another divine maiden arrived, smiling: "Princess Yan, the Southern Emperor misses you and has sent me to invite you back to meet her."

Yan'er looked at Qin Mu. Qin Mu nodded gently and said: "A mother-daughter reunion is important; it should not be delayed."

Yan'er followed the divine maiden away.

Qin Mu returned to the Jade Pool, specifically to the Winding Corridor Pavilion. There, he saw another Qin Mu standing in the gazebo with his hands clasped behind his back, awaiting his arrival.