Chapter 404

Chapter 404: Better a Pair of Mandarin Ducks than Immortals

Two incense sticks later.

The Moon Goddess returned together with Qin Yu.

Entering Heaven’s Secret Pavilion once more, Qin Yu’s emotions were complex. He bowed respectfully towards Ye Xu, then addressed the Heavenly Sovereign: “Your Majesty, this subject has completed the inventory. Everything is contained within.”

Qin Yu channeled his magic power. A grotto-heaven abruptly flew out from his sleeve, celestial music resonated, waves of profound Daoist cadences emanated from within it. Countless Daos resonated and intertwined, utterly marvelous.

“For the Master’s inspection.”

The Heavenly Sovereign flicked his sleeve. The grotto-heaven flew towards Ye Xu.

Su Mu’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Ye Xian’er and Xixi stared wide-eyed at the grotto-heaven, sensing the Daoist aura permeating the air. Their cultivations visibly grew stronger; they felt on the brink of a breakthrough.

Ye Xu’s Divine Sense swept through the grotto-heaven. Inside were numerous Innate Spiritual Treasures, nine supreme fortune treasures, and eighteen Immortal Plants listed on the Talented Individuals and Rare Treasures List.

It had to be admitted, the Purple Star Heavenly Court, ruling both heaven and earth for tens of millions of years, possessed a truly profound foundation.

To gather resources worth trillions of Star Yuan within barely half a day… Very few powers within the Pangu universe could achieve such a feat.

“System, exchange.”

【Congratulations, Master. Obtained 187 billion heavenly secrets points.】

【Spend 120 billion heavenly secrets points to immediately inquire about the fundamental state of the Pangu universe’s Heavenly Dao one thousand years ahead?】

“Inquire.”

Ding!

120 billion heavenly secrets points were deducted. A stream of information flooded Ye Xu’s mind.

Ye Xu’s expression flickered faintly.

“Master, is there a result?” the Heavenly Sovereign asked solemnly.

The Moon Goddess and Qin Yu also watched him expectantly, eagerly awaiting Ye Xu’s answer.

Within Heaven’s Secret Pavilion at that moment, everyone held their breaths. A hushed silence prevailed.

Who wouldn’t be intensely curious about a matter related to the fate of the entire Pangu universe?

Ye Xu nodded. “Within one thousand years, the Pangu universe’s Heavenly Dao will not be destroyed. Which means, during this period, even if they join forces against you, the Heavenly Dao will remain intact.”

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Sovereign, the Moon Goddess, and Qin Yu all exhaled a long sigh of relief.

Knowing the outcome finally lifted the great boulder weighing on their hearts.

“Those utterly unfilial rebels who dare defy the Heavenly Court and oppose the Heavenly Dao deserve to die a thousand deaths!” The Moon Goddess resumed her arrogant demeanor, sneering contemptuously.

“Heaven protects the Heavenly Court! Heaven protects Your Majesty!” Qin Yu said, his entire body relaxing as if a tremendous burden had been lifted.

Ever since the appearance of the Golden List of the Unparalleled Rankings, that day had haunted his thoughts. Now, knowing the result, the constant worry within him vanished.

“Master, is it really that simple?” The Heavenly Sovereign frowned slightly. Had 180 billion Star Yuan bought him just one sentence?

“Of course not.”

Ye Xu sighed and said, "This great calamity will still occur. In the corner of the future I glimpsed, the future Purple Star Heavenly Court, if nothing unexpected happened, should have vanished into nothingness."

Boom!

His words instantly caused the proud Moon Goddess and the relieved Qin Yu’s expressions to change drastically.

"Master, what do you mean by this?" said the Moon Goddess with a frosty face. "Didn’t you say that the Heavenly Dao wouldn’t be destroyed?"

"If that’s the case, how could the Purple Star Heavenly Court, which relies on the existence of the Heavenly Dao, possibly collapse?" Qin Yu was utterly bewildered as well.

Ye Xu said lightly, "The Heavenly Dao not being destroyed doesn’t mean that Daoist friend Emperor Yang could survive, nor does it mean you all could survive, nor that the Purple Star Heavenly Court still existed."

"That is a different concept."

"Since everything would be destroyed, what was the point of the message we bought for eighteen trillion Star Yuan?" the Moon Goddess felt despair.

"At least it allowed you to know the outcome." Ye Xu said.

Su Mu had an odd look in his eyes.

Know the outcome in advance and await death calmly?

The Emperor frowned tightly with brow like a sword. "The Heavenly Dao was not destroyed, yet the Purple Star Heavenly Court was annihilated, and all of us fell—something unexpected must have occurred."

However, Ye Xu did not tell him, so he dared not jump to conclusions.

"Daoist friend, eighteen trillion Star Yuan could only buy this one piece of information." Ye Xu said.

This statement was indeed not a lie from Ye Xu.

From a fragment of the future he saw, he could make out that the Heavenly Dao still existed, but the Purple Star Heavenly Court was only a pile of ruins, with no trace of the Emperor, the Moon Goddess, or Qin Yu.

This fact alone indicated they were likely doomed.

"Master, is there a way to break the predicament?" the Moon Goddess said solemnly.

"Naturally, there is." Ye Xu said. "But it’s a pity you couldn’t produce twenty-four trillion Star Yuan."

Qin Yu sharply inhaled a cold breath.

As the official in charge of the Purple Star Heavenly Court, he had a rough assessment of its wealth.

For twenty-four trillion Star Yuan, even if they plundered all the heavenly officers across the entire Purple Star Heavenly Court and sold the whole Heavenly Court to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, it still probably wouldn’t be enough to cover it fully.

"I want her to live." The Emperor said.

After pondering for a long time, the Emperor glanced at Yue Wuxian, then at Ye Xu, and said, "Master, is there a method?"

"Simple." Ye Xu chuckled lightly. "For eight trillion Star Yuan, I can have her stay in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and ensure her safety for ten thousand years."

"Only ten thousand years?"

The Emperor frowned.

"Your Majesty, would you have your concubine live all alone?" the Moon Goddess spoke indignantly, but a warmth also arose in her heart. After so many years, she finally sensed the Emperor’s tenderness again.

She understood it was because of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Once he stepped out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Emperor Yang would become the Emperor again.

"People all say immortals are great, but they do not know that what people truly envy is devoted couples, not immortals."

Ye Xu wore an unusual expression.

He could see through the Moon Goddess’s heart, and knew that everything the Moon Goddess said was totally true.

Although the Moon Goddess was proud, envious, and possessive, she was wholeheartedly faithful to Emperor Yang to the end.

Their love was completely pure, without any benefit mixed in.

"Your Majesty,"

The Moon Goddess looked deathly pale and said,

"If you leave your concubine in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, once Your Majesty falls in that battle, I will never live on alone."

"Moon Er…"

The Emperor wanted to dissuade her.

"Your Majesty need not say more."

The Moon Goddess said,

"This consort’s mind is made up."

"Good."

The Emperor smiled, no longer like the ruler of heaven and earth, but more like an ordinary husband, smiling tenderly and beautifully.

He tightly held the Moon Goddess’s soft hand, his eyes affectionate, and said,

"In life we share the same quilt, in death we share the same grave. Let us walk this path hand in hand together."

"Whether we live or die, at least you are with me."

"I will follow Your Majesty forever." The Moon Goddess also smiled, radiant and lovely.

The stars in the sky dimmed at that moment, unable to hide her exceptional beauty.

That she was the world’s most beautiful woman was no joke.

"If you regret it, the promise of eight billion Star Yuan is always valid."

Ye Xu faced his nose, too lazy to watch them show affection.

First there were Su Mu and Yue Lingxi, and now the Emperor and the Moon Goddess.

He, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion himself, had to eat two servings of dog food.

This was intolerable for anyone to bear.

"If there is nothing else, I will not keep you."

"Is the Master sour?"

Su Mu sharply caught Ye Xu’s expression, his smile quite obnoxious.

Suddenly, a gaze swept over.

Su Mu felt as if thrust into an ice cave, his whole body stiffening completely.

"Ahem…"

He pretended to cough, complaining inwardly that the Master was really petty.

"Thank you, Master, for your kindness."

The Moon Goddess bowed respectfully to Ye Xu, "But I have decided, and I absolutely will not regret it."

Farewell.

Master, we shall meet again.

The Emperor, hand in hand with the Moon Goddess, walked toward the door. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped and smiled, saying, "After this battle, if I survive, I will come back to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"At that time, I humbly request your help, Master, to turn me into a mortal."

Ye Xu was slightly stunned.

"Over the years, I have not lived like a human being."

The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly, his smile bitter.

Qin Yu felt immense sympathy in his heart.

The three of them walked out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion slowly.

"If one is not in the position, one does not meddle in governing; if one is not in the position, one also does not bear the burden."

Ye Xu murmured.

He understood the Emperor’s intention and knew his hardship.

The gradual erosion of the Heavenly Dao’s will made him abandon human emotions, like a machine.

The visit to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion allowed the Emperor to feel the joy of being human again.

"I hope so."

Ye Xu thought in his heart.

In the battle against the Heavens, the strong ones would compete, inevitably fighting to the extent that the sky shattered and the earth quaked.

"So, Your Majesty the Emperor is also a pitiful man," Su Mu sighed deeply.

Today, he truly gained insight.

"He has experienced it and grown weary, that’s why he seems pitiful."

Ye Xu said, "In the vast world, who knows how many people wish to sit on that throne but cannot."

"Uh…"

Su Mu was at a loss for words.

Thinking about it, it seemed reasonable.

The world is like a sea of bitterness; living beings are like boats, thousands of sails racing, all wanting to reach the other shore.

But climbing to the heights and reaching the shore is yet endless loneliness.

The Emperor is a classic example.

If he had not borne the Heavenly Dao’s will, relying on the All Heaven Rites, even if he had comprehended the Great Dao of cause and effect, he probably would not have the achievements he has today.

If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.

The price the Emperor paid was to change from a flesh-and-blood human into a pawn of the Heavenly Dao and become a sophisticatedly operating machine.