Chapter 744 — The Seven Sage Venerables of the Immortal Pool

The Heavenly Court was truly vast beyond measure; even at the great Kun's speed, they had flown a long while before reaching the Yaochi. The great Kun slowly came to a halt, mooring beside a white jade terrace at the edge of the Yaochi. Everyone descended one after another.

Yin Tianzi paid the fare on Shen Mu's behalf, giving the great Kun a few extra Jade Dragon Pills. The great Kun shook its head and wagged its tail, flew toward the heavenly river in the sky, plunged into the water, and swam off into the distance. Though the Yaochi bore the word "pool" in its name, to Shen Mu and the others it was more like a vast ocean within the Heavenly Court.

Here cloud qi drifted ethereally, immortal mountains beyond count rose from the sea, and enormous sea turtles bore sacred mountains on their backs as they roamed the Yaochi. In the sea there were also lotuses of inconceivable size, each spanning several hundred mu. Some were in full bloom, their red-and-white petals most alluring; others were still buds, standing gracefully, green and white and pink, a truly lovely sight.

Many divine ability users were strolling near the Yaochi. Most of these were people from the lower realms, and some were the demigods Yin Tianzi had spoken of, who had not taken human form but appeared in the shape of divine beasts.

—To later generations, these demigods were divine beasts; but to the people of this age, they were demigods, possessed of supreme bloodlines and exceedingly high status, so that even divine ability users treated them with the utmost reverence. Along the Yaochi's shore, many people summoned the great turtles from the sea, paid a few spirit pills, and climbed onto the sacred mountains on the turtles' backs; the great turtles bore the sacred mountains swimming into the depths of the Yaochi. And upon those sea lotuses there were, astonishingly, tiny kingdoms, to which many visitors went to amuse themselves.

"To the ancient gods, this is the Yaochi; to us, it is the Yao Sea. " Yin Tianzi said, "At this Heavenly Court grand gathering, many have come up from the various lower realms and heavens to enjoy the sights and see the world—these are common folk.

But Yutian Venerable is different from those other friends of the Dao; his ambitions are lofty.

Taking advantage of this Heavenly Court grand gathering, he has invited heroes and outstanding figures from the lower realms and convened this Yaochi Assembly.

Though we are not the equals of the ancient gods, we too must accomplish something! " His eyes shone bright, and Shen Mu, seeing it, felt a stir in his heart: "Yin Tianzi was once a youth with ideals and aspirations too. But that is only fitting—his achievements in later ages were exceedingly high, one of the rare Emperor Throne powerhouses, so naturally he had his own abilities. " Yin Tianzi summoned a great sea turtle and said, "We have come at Yutian Venerable's invitation to attend the Yaochi Grand Gathering. " The old turtle said, "Yutian Venerable has given orders: those attending the Yaochi Grand Gathering are not charged spirit pills.

Please, honored guests. " Shen Mu was surprised and asked, "Does Yutian Venerable hold a high position in the Heavenly Court? " Yin Tianzi smiled.

"Yutian Venerable is the leader of us lower races, so naturally his status is exceedingly high.

Even the ancient gods address him as a fellow Daoist, regarding him as one who can advance the Dao and divine abilities.

" They climbed onto the sacred mountain on the turtle's back, and the old turtle at once began to swim, heading into the depths of the Yaochi.

The scenery on all sides was delightful, beautiful beyond words. "Yutian Venerable was the first to open the Primordial Embryo Divine Treasury; the cultivation of the divine treasuries began with him. After he opened the divine treasury, the Great Dao of heaven and earth changed on account of it, truly shaking the world.

At that time many ancient gods projected themselves down, surrounding him in unceasing praise, marveling that he was the opener of a great era. " Yin Tianzi said, "The Lord of Heaven named him Yutian Venerable; the Earth Lord granted him longevity, making him undying and imperishable.

Yet there are others in this world who can stand equal to his name. The Five Luminaries Divine Treasury was opened by Haotian Venerable—his surname was not Hao, but his name contained the character Hao, and so the ancient gods conferred on him the title Haotian Venerable. Then there is Lingtian Venerable, who founded the Six Realms Divine Treasury; Yuetian Venerable, who opened the Seven Stars Divine Treasury; Huotian Venerable, who opened the Heaven-Man Divine Treasury; Youtian Venerable, who opened the Life-Death Divine Treasury; and Yuntian Venerable, who opened the Divine Bridge Divine Treasury. They are honored as the Seven Venerables.

After their achievements were complete, the Great Dao of heaven and earth changed on their account, and the Heavenly Emperor also sanctioned their titles. " Shen Mu murmured, "Truly an era to stir the heart. These people were able to establish the system of divine treasury cultivation and be called Venerables—they deserved the name. Even if later generations make new breakthroughs, it will be hard to surpass them. . . " Kaihuang felt the same and said, "To be able to see the Seven Venerables—this journey has not been in vain.

" The two exchanged a look, then suddenly each gave a cold snort and turned his head away. Old Ox, caught between them, felt the pressure at once and groaned inwardly, "Both of these fellows are stubborn mules turned into spirits. I only hope you don't stir up more trouble and make things hard for me as an ox.

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" Ahead, a stretch of palaces blazed with golden light for ten thousand zhang, magnificent and imposing. The old turtle bore the sacred mountain to the front of those sea palaces and said, "The Yaochi Secret Realm has arrived.

" Yin Tianzi quickened his pace and strode forward, calling out loudly, "Yutian Venerable, your little brother Yin Chaojin has come to attend the gathering! " Shen Mu and Kaihuang also walked forward, and Old Ox, steeling himself, squeezed between the two of them, lest they stir up some new mischief, thinking, "So long as they don't beat each other bloody, that will be my great merit!

" The palaces were thronged with people coming and going, bustling and crowded, a great multitude—no doubt all divine ability users invited from the various realms to attend the gathering.

Shen Mu's heart surged: "Among these people, how many great figures who will shake the world and be renowned in later ages will be born? " Suddenly he started slightly, catching sight of a monk, and beside him, a Daoist priest.