Chapter 419

Chapter 419: What Has Been, Will Be Again

"These damned bastards!"

Su Mu and Yue Lingxi passed through worlds scarred by utter devastation, burning with furious indignation.

The shattering of the Tianxuan Realm had triggered a chain reaction. The Sea of All Realms frequently battered the barriers of all realms, leaving numerous small worlds riddled with gaping wounds.

Major worlds like the Yuan Realm and Spirit Realm remained unscathed for the time being, safeguarded by powerful experts from great families residing there.

But smaller worlds like the Qingyang Realm suffered immense harm.

"The Innate Divine Beings have lorded over the highest heavens for tens of millions of years, feeding off their position like useless parasites," Su Mu raged. "When will we ever wipe them out?"

The two returned to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, finding Yi Tianxing playing chess with Xixi.

"Senior," Su Mu addressed him differently this time.

"Seen it all?"

Yi Tianxing asked, his head still lowered over the board.

Su Mu nodded. "This calamity, though it comes from the Purple Star Heavenly Court, is also a trial for all life. A pity this junior lacks the strength to eradicate those parasites."

His heart had settled into a quiet peace, wanting only to live undisturbed with Yue Lingxi. Yet seeing the widespread suffering now inevitably rekindled the fire in his veins.

"I’ve already dispatched the God King of Space to rescue the people," Yi Tianxing stated. "If your resolve is true, immerse yourself in this mortal struggle."

"Ning Wudao, though young, sees clearly."

"Chaos is the furnace that tempers the heart."

"I would," Su Mu sighed bitterly, "but the Master won’t permit my departure."

"Though the Master covets wealth, he is also a compassionate man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have saved this messy old man like me," Yi Tianxing chuckled. "I will speak to the Master."

"Yes."

Relief and joy spread over Su Mu’s features.

"Senior, I want to go with you too!" Ye Xian’er declared.

"Let’s go, then."

"Senior, can I go as well?" Xixi asked tentatively.

Everyone instantly and emphatically shook their heads.

Xixi possessed the Body of Disaster. With their average cultivation, they simply lacked the fortune to endure her mere presence.

Xixi felt utterly wronged.

The group departed Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

…

Purple Star Heavenly Court.

In these troubled times, the heavenly officers of the Star Observation Platform toiled incessantly, utterly overwhelmed. They constantly reported observed celestial phenomena and changes to the Ziwei Palace, daring not the slightest negligence.

Fear and anxiety pervaded the Heavenly Court itself.

The Son of Heaven stood high in the firmament alongside Qin Yu. The stark fissure splitting the heavens before them resembled a colossal, uncrossable moat, burning impossibly bright.

"The Dao Body of Nuwa was broken, and indeed the Heavenly Dao has begun to descend into chaos," spoke the Son of Heaven solemnly. As the vessel of the Heavenly Dao’s will, he could sense its shifts.

In times past, he could clearly perceive all things under heaven. Yet since the shattering of Nuwa’s Dao Body, everything had turned turbid, rendering him unable to deduce fate or command its threads.

As time flowed on, its impact upon him would only grow heavier.

"If we emerge unscathed from this tribulation, even I, your servant, wish to lay down arms and return to the fields," Qin Yu smiled with serene composure. "It has been many years since I last knew peace."

The Son of Heaven’s gaze remained icy and indifferent.

"Swoosh!"

Suddenly, waves of terrifyingly potent auras surged into the perception of both the Son of Heaven and Qin Yu—one Immortal Emperor after another bearing the Three Yuan Proof.

Not only them, but deep within the void also lurked masters wielding the proof of the Second Primordial Spirit and the proof of the First Primordial Spirit.

"They have come."

The expressions of both the Son of Heaven and Qin Yu turned grave.

"This humble Yuanzu requests an audience with Your Majesty."

"Your servant, the Ancient God of Origin, requests an audience with Your Majesty."

The voices of Yuanzu and the Ancient God of Origin resounded as the two took the lead, descending outside the Purple Star Heavenly Court. Their colossal bodies filled ten thousand miles of the void.

"Daoist Qing Xuan of the Primordial Daoist Sect seeks an audience with His Majesty the Son of Heaven," Daoist Qing Xuan declared with a light laugh.

Alien Universe Immortal Emperors manifested one after another.

"Emperor Tian, reveal yourself as well," the Son of Heaven spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over the phalanx of Immortal Emperors before settling upon a patch of void.

"Merely a deposed emperor of a fallen dynasty."

Li Ruoyu chuckled faintly as he stepped forth from the void.

Gazing upon the dozen or so Immortal Emperor Supreme Lords, the heavenly officers of the Purple Star Heavenly Court turned deathly pale.

This gathered force could utterly obliterate the Purple Star Heavenly Court.

The disparity in strength was simply too vast.

"Your Majesty, guests have traveled far. Will you not invite us to sit?" Yuanzu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

The gathered multitude showed no concern.

They felt no urgency to strike.

With the heavenly formation in hand, both the Son of Heaven and the Heavenly Dao had nowhere to flee.

"Enter."

The Son of Heaven and Qin Yu walked into the Ziwei Palace, with Yuanzu and the others following in succession.

The heavenly officers braced as if facing mortal peril.

Star Lord Yuancheng, the Heavenly Blade Old Man, and other cultivators wielding the proof of the Second Primordial Spirit and the proof of the First Primordial Spirit advanced step by step, each wary and poised for violence at the slightest provocation.

"Withdraw."

The Son of Heaven swept his sleeve and commanded.

"Yes."

The crowd dared not defy the Son of Heaven’s will.

"Prepare the wine!"

The Son of Heaven sat high upon the imperial throne, looking majestic, and commanded.

The crowd took their seats as celestial maidens entered the Ziwei Palace one by one, presenting fine wine and delicacies.

"Dear friends, please enjoy," the Son of Heaven said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for hosting us for this feast."

Yuanzu said, "Speaking of which, this old man has not drunk with Your Majesty for several million years."

Both sides chatted and laughed merrily.

It did not seem like two enemies about to fight, but rather like a harmonious ruler and subjects.

The atmosphere was extremely strange.

The Ancient God of Origin sighed deeply and said, "Your Majesty has borne Heavenly Dao’s will for over ten million years. The experience of joining forces with us to overthrow the tyranny of the previous dynasty remains vivid in my mind."

"It truly was an unforgettable time."

Li Ruoyu showed no emotion and downed the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"Indeed."

Si Ming said softly, "The Original Heavenly Court imposed excessive taxes and ruled tyrannically. We acted under Heaven’s mandate to establish the later Purple Star Heavenly Court."

"It is a pity that the Purple Star Heavenly Court has also decayed."

Qin Yu showed a cold sneer.

This group of fellows was truly hypocritical.

The Son of Heaven said indifferently, "What has happened before will happen again."

"Didn’t you all come to overthrow me today?"

"Ha ha ha…"

Yuanzu laughed heartily, "This old man hates circuitousness the most. Your Majesty is truly straightforward. If I didn’t have to kill you, I would really like to become best friends and drink together with you."

"A Heavenly Emperor must be decayed to be overthrown."

The Son of Heaven said, "I am not."

The Immortal Emperors smiled without speaking.

They held absolute advantage; if they said you were decayed, you were decayed.

Strength was the ultimate truth.

If it could not be understood, surely your fists were not strong enough.

Immortal Emperor Mu was also observing the Son of Heaven.

"Your Majesty, this young lady has a question to ask," Immortal Emperor Mu gazed at the Son of Heaven.

"Who are you, Daoist friend?" the Son of Heaven asked.

"My name is insignificant and not worth mentioning," Immortal Emperor Mu said. "This young lady is very curious how Your Majesty managed to entrust your primordial spirit to the Heavenly Dao, bearing Heavenly Dao’s will?"

This question had puzzled Immortal Emperor Mu since the first time he learned of it.

Having studied the Mysteries of the Dao for many years, he still found no answer.

"This is simple,"

the Emperor said with a laugh. "If you assist this sovereign, Daoist friend, I will share with you the method to embody the Heavenly Dao’s will once I have executed these treasonous rebels."

"Your Majesty truly enjoys jesting."

Immortal Emperor Mu chuckled coyly. "This young lady came precisely to fulfill another’s request—to kill Your Majesty."

"If that is so, then this sovereign regrets being powerless to assist."

The Emperor replied indifferently.

"Your Majesty, the Heavenly Dao looms above, crushing us until we gasp for breath,"

the Ancient God of Origin declared. "You too are shackled by it. Why not join us in shattering the Heavenly Dao and attaining true liberation?"

"Enough idle chatter."

Qin Yu could bear it no longer and sneered coldly. "Your aims are as obvious to all as daylight. Why put on such a pretentious display here?"

"Ah…"

The Ancient God of Origin heaved a long sigh.

"This venerable one and Your Majesty were once the closest of friends. It pains me to see Your Majesty suffer so."

"My visit today is solely to help Your Majesty find deliverance."

He slowly rose and raised a glass of wine toward the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, this cup honors the bond we once shared."

"A final toast for Your Majesty’s journey."

The Ancient God of Origin drained his cup in one gulp.

The Emperor remained unmoving, his gaze as cold as frost.

"This sovereign shares no bond with any of you."

"Qin Yu, escort our guests out."

The Emperor issued his command to dismiss them.

"You may leave now," Qin Yu stated.

"Inviting gods is easy, but sending them away is hard,"

Yuanzu’s eyes gleamed with killing intent as he smiled thinly. "As the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty, can you truly be ignorant of such a simple truth?"

"Your Majesty,"

the Ancient God of Origin gripped his whisk, radiating murderous aura. "it’s time for you to depart."