Chapter 632

Chapter 632: Deal

Zhuge Qinmo’s robes fluttered in the wind, his eyes shining with divine light.

With the black zither in hand, he gazed expectantly at Qin Huangluo.

"Even though I have musical skills unmatched in the world, I no longer have a soulmate who deeply understands me…" Qin Huangluo felt lost in melancholy, and the beautiful music abruptly ceased.

He lifted his eyes to look towards the past world. The Epoch of Disaster had passed. In front of the thatched cottage, the sky was blue, the grass was green, and a stream murmured softly. Two figures sat facing each other, playing harmonious tunes.

Another cycle had begun.

At that moment, he suddenly grasped the words that Xuan Ancestor had once spoken.

It was impossible to return to the past any longer.

The past he longed for had long since collapsed.

Time flowed like water, rushing ceaselessly from ancient times to the present. The only thing he could preserve was memory.

"Daoist friend, the primordial spirit has been extinguished. Is there a way for rebirth?"

Qin Huangluo looked at Zhuge Qinmo and murmured.

"Uh…" Zhuge Qinmo was stunned.

Had Qin Huangluo misunderstood something?

I came for a contest!

He stared at Qin Huangluo, his brow slightly furrowed. Qin Huangluo looked utterly serious, clearly not joking.

"Creating something from nothing, this realm must exist," Zhuge Qinmo said solemnly. "Though the primordial spirit is gone and the past leaves no trace, you could still remake a primordial spirit."

"Memory is the most critical thing."

"Memory?"

Qin Huangluo’s eyes brightened.

His words brought a sudden enlightenment.

If he could retrieve all the memories and infuse them into a new body, wouldn’t that perfectly recreate the former person?

"But how can I retrieve the memories?"

Qin Huangluo frowned again and said.

"…"

Zhuge Qinmo could not endure it any longer and snorted coldly, "Qin Huangluo, I journeyed through the channel connecting both realms not to debate these trivial matters with you."

"I came for a contest!"

"A contest?" Qin Huangluo was confused. "What do you mean?"

"…"

Zhuge Qinmo, furious, laughed uncontrollably.

Had Qin Huangluo failed to hear even a single word of his speech?

"Naturally, it’s musical skills!" Zhuge Qinmo took a deep breath, reining in his anger, and said, "If you defeat me, I will depart without delay."

"Not interested."

Qin Huangluo shook his head.

His mind was completely wrapped around this memory. His thoughts raced as he sought a method.

"To preserve memories and reconstruct my primordial spirit, I must retrieve those memories," Qin Huangluo murmured, his gaze profound. "That means I must return to the very beginning."

"However," he continued, "even as a Dao Ancestor, freely navigating the river of time and anchoring within it remains incredibly difficult."

"Unless… I have the Book of Time!"

The realization struck Qin Huangluo forcefully.

The Book of Time, one of the Nine Great Heavenly Books, ranked among the world’s supreme epochal treasures.

"Since I’m here, I won’t be leaving so easily," Zhuge Qinmo stated coldly. "If you refuse the contest, I’ll hit you until you agree."

"Even if you kill me, I won’t play against you," Qin Huangluo replied with a smile.

"You…"

Zhuge Qinmo’s anger evaporated, replaced by dejection. "Alright, speak. What are your conditions?" He had conceded.

"Help me."

Qin Huangluo elaborated, "If you can help me find the Book of Time, travel back to retrieve my wife’s memories, and fulfill my wish, I will have a proper contest with you."

"The Book of Time?"

Zhuge Qinmo’s expression shifted instantly. The legend of the Nine Great Heavenly Books was known to him.

Qin Huangluo added, "In my current state, burdened by obsession, I cannot devote my entire being. Even if you won, it wouldn’t be a victory over me at my peak."

At this moment, he was still unaware of Zhuge Qinmo’s true skill. Otherwise, he would not have spoken such words.

"A fair point."

Zhuge Qinmo nodded in agreement.

"However," he insisted, "you must play one melody for me. Let me witness your skill."

"Very well."

Qin Huangluo chuckled and played the zither.

The melody held deep sorrow and melancholy, stirring the listener’s heart. Every single note seemed to pour forth Qin Huangluo’s grief.

"Stop! Stop!"

Zhuge Qinmo cried uncontrollably, yet simultaneously radiated immense joy. He laughed heartily, "Qin Huangluo! After I help you obtain the Book of Time, we will have our contest!"

"If you defeat me," he declared, his tears flowing freely, "you must take me as your disciple and teach me your musical skills!"

Take him as a disciple?

Qin Huangluo was at a complete loss.

What kind of trick was being played now?

"If you lose, you must also become my disciple," Zhuge Qinmo added, as if feeling his purpose was too obvious.

"Agreed."

Qin Huangluo nodded.

"The Nine Great Heavenly Books are nearly non-existent in the present world. To find their existence, one must rely on a bridge," Zhuge Qinmo said.

"You are the Dao Ancestor of the yang realm, and you should know the characters related to the Book of Time."

"There are indeed a few."

Qin Huangluo said.

The Great Celestial Lord of Time from the Time Palace had glimpsed the Book of Time once, thus embarking on the path of cultivation. He rose steadily and became one of the top Great Celestial Lords in the yang realm.

That Fifth Young Master was even more so the Spirit of the Heavenly Book.

Qin Huangluo had known these secrets all along.

"Since you know, then let’s set off," Zhuge Qinmo said.

"Take action directly?"

Qin Huangluo’s expression shifted slightly.

"Why not?"

Zhuge Qinmo said lightly, "That’s always how I do things."

"Don’t dawdle, let’s go."

Swish!

The two disappeared into the River of Time.

…

Time Palace.

Yan Ruyi walked side by side with Fifth Young Master.

"Junior brother, your cultivation progress has been incredibly fast during this time," Yan Ruyi said with a laugh.

He advanced from One Tribulation Dao Sovereign to Four Tribulations Dao Sovereign in only about a year.

Especially in the recent month or so, he had broken through two realms in succession. The speed of his advancement was astonishing.

"It should be because of the fusion of yin and yang realms,"

Fifth Young Master said solemnly, "The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is really eccentric. Clearly, it was a shocking secret involving both realms, yet he insisted on publishing it, making it known throughout the world."

"That senior is truly strange,"

Yan Ruyi thought of Ye Xu, her expression reverent, "His thoughts probably cannot be fathomed by anyone in the world."

Changing the subject, Yan Ruyi added, "With your current cultivation progress, junior brother, it won’t be long before you can advance to the Celestial Lord realm."

"At that time, the palace’s power will certainly increase greatly."

"Senior Sister flatters me."

Fifth Young Master’s expression remained placid, not a trace of a smile.

Many knew of Luo Qianchen and Feng Suiyuan’s relationship. He understood perfectly well that upon reaching the Celestial Lord Realm, one could sense the Book of Time.

Yet, precisely what his own master might do, he had no idea.

As they conversed, they entered the Hall of Time.

Upon the great dais, a young man sat upon the throne, eyes closed as if lightly dozing.

"We pay homage to Master."

Yan Ruyi and Fifth Young Master spoke respectfully.

"What is it?"

Celestial Lord of Time’s eyes remained half-open, half-closed.

"Disciple has come to report on matters concerning Yan Changkong," Yan Ruyi bit her lower lip lightly.

Celestial Lord of Time’s face betrayed no emotion.

"Yan Changkong was long ago expelled from the sect. There is no need to plead his case."

"If he could truly prove he was right, given his disposition, upon attaining Great Celestial Lord, he would inevitably return to the Time Palace to challenge me."

"Master…"

Yan Ruyi wanted to explain.

"Down you go."

Celestial Lord of Time flung his sleeve. Yan Ruyi lost all chance to speak further, swept out of the Hall of Time by an unseen force.

Fifth Young Master’s eyes flickered subtly.

Yan Changkong was an unorthodox talent, yet he insistently followed crooked paths. If not for that, given Yan Changkong’s innate gifts, he might well have cultivated to the Celestial Lord Realm by now.

"Little Fifth, is there business with you too?" Celestial Lord of Time inquired.

Fifth Young Master replied, "Master, three days ago, the Tianxia Dynasty dispatched troops to invade Gouchen Immortal Domain, backed by a Celestial Lord. Gouchen Immortal Domain now teeters on the brink."

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Elder Qin hopes you will send reinforcements."

"Have them withdraw from Gouchen Immortal Domain."

Celestial Lord of Time stated.

"Master, that is a base we have cultivated for over a hundred million years," Fifth Young Master’s brow furrowed tightly. "Are we simply to surrender it?"

"If it were merely the Tianxia Dynasty, there would still be room for maneuver."

Celestial Lord of Time sighed, "Regrettably, behind Tianxia stands Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"So we just let Tianxia devour territory of the yang realm?" Fifth Young Master protested indignantly.

"Presently, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion has yet to touch the core interests of the major powers," Celestial Lord of Time explained. "Hence, those powers can afford to turn a blind eye."

"Once their core interests truly shake, their only recourse will be to openly defy Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

He saw the situation with utter clarity.

Relying on Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, the Tianxia Divine Empire had swallowed dozens of immortal domains in barely a year. Out of deference to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s overwhelming prestige, many powers could only endure it for now.

However.

The moment their core interests were breached, leaving them with nowhere to retreat, the only path forward was a desperate, last stand.

Therefore, what they needed to do now was simply wait.

"With the yin and yang realms beginning to merge and the revival of spiritual energy, your cultivation progresses at extraordinary speed," Celestial Lord of Time smiled. "The true blessing for our Time Palace would be you swiftly ascending to the Celestial Lord Realm."

Fifth Young Master’s spirit grew wary.

Seemingly perceiving his disciple’s fears, Celestial Lord of Time sighed deeply, "This teacher knows your apprehension."

"Master…"

Fifth Young Master gazed at the Celestial Lord of Time, his expression profoundly complex.

"Remember this: I am not my Senior Brother Jiemie. I raised you with my own hands. I am not so heartless," Celestial Lord of Time stated.

BOOM!

Suddenly.

A terrifying aura descended upon the Time Palace.

Celestial Lord of Time’s pupils constricted sharply.

Zhuge Qinmo walked upon the void, his presence overwhelming and unstoppable, casting an indifferent gaze down upon the magnificent complex of palaces below, like a deity detached on high.

Qin Huangluo had completely suppressed his aura, appearing like an ordinary mortal.

"This lowly one is the Palace Master of the Time Palace," the voice echoed. "Might I inquire which venerable senior graces our humble sect?"