Chapter 1037 — The Mystery of the Snatched Cat

Back at the Jingping Imperial Preceptor's residence, Shen Mu at once woke everyone and took out a dozen or so jade bottles, which he gave to Gongsun Yan.

"Yan, these bottles contain Primordial Chaos Liquid. In the old days, it was by relying on this liquid that the Primordial Earth Mother gained such a profound cultivation. It will do you a great deal of good, but you must not pour too much—only one drop at a time. And beware the Primordial Earth Mother coming to seize yours! " Gongsun Yan accepted the bottles and said, "I will definitely be careful.

" Shen Mu summoned Demon King Dutian and handed him a letter.

"Dutian, I will give you three heavenly dragons. Take my letter to the Lanjiang Academy and see Yu Zhaoqing. Give it to her and say that I sent you to help her win back the Tianyu World. " He selected three heavenly dragons, unharnessed them from the Heavenly Dragon Chariot, and instructed, "Follow Dutian and protect his life.

" The three heavenly dragons rolled on the ground and turned into three deities at the Jade Capital realm. They clasped their fists and bowed, "We obey the Heavenly Venerable's command.

" Demon King Dutian's face changed drastically, and he said in a fluster, "Patriarch, could you exchange them for other dragons? " He was deeply uneasy, for all three dragon gods had suffered his whip before, and one of them had been lashed by him more than anyone else.

"Time is pressing—no time for that!

" Shen Mu jumped onto the chariot and called out, "Long Pang, you drive. Yan'er, you stand guard.

We leave at once!

If we don't go now, those two little vixens will be back before we can get away. " Divine King Langwan had already boarded the chariot; she lowered the curtain and sat upright. Gongsun Yan did not understand why they were hurrying away and felt a little forlorn.

Shen Mu laughed, "In a little while I will find a few phoenixes for you to build a nest!

" Gongsun Yan was delighted and watched the Heavenly Dragon Chariot drive out of the residence. The capital was not yet noisy in the early morning, but shopkeepers were already up preparing breakfast along the streets.

Some were baking flatbreads, some pulling noodles; steam poured from stacked bamboo baskets of buns, and the fragrance of congee drifted through the air.

The Heavenly Dragon Chariot hurried past the streets, drawing many shopkeepers to stare. Suddenly Shen Mu's voice came from inside the carriage: "Stop. " Long Qilin hastily halted the carriage.

Shen Mu laughed, "Sister Yan'er, go buy some mung-bean juice.

I haven't tasted it in a long while.

" With that, he gave Yan'er some Dafeng coins. Yan'er flew up and landed again as a young woman, went to a roadside shop to buy the mung-bean juice, then looked back and said, "They have piping-hot steamed buns here too.

Would the young master like some? " Shen Mu nodded and smiled.

"Get some as well. Sister Divine King, you have never tasted mortal food, have you?

Today is a fine chance to try it. " Divine King Langwan asked, puzzled, "Just now the Holy Infant was in such a hurry, afraid we wouldn't get away in time.

Why have we stopped now?

" Shen Mu said, "I have not tasted the flavor of home in five years, so no matter what, I had to stop.

" Divine King Langwan thought for a moment and shook her head. She could not understand such a strange sentiment.

Yan'er bought the mung-bean juice and buns and said, "The shopkeeper practically wanted to give me his whole shop.

He gave a lot extra. " Shen Mu laughed, "Long Pang, let's be on our way. " The Heavenly Dragon Chariot headed out of the capital.

Shen Mu did not let it rise into the sky right away but kept it traveling on the post road. As he gnawed a bun, he watched out the window, anxiously tracking every movement around them. Suddenly, a dreadful pulse erupted from the west.

Shen Mu's hand jerked, and the bun fell from his fingers. Overjoyed, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Little Seven of the Heavenly Venerable Yan's household—I am afraid he is about to die!

" To the west, near the Spirit-Energy Transfer Bridge, the white cat was dashing at full speed toward the bridge. Suddenly a huge hand reached out from the bridge and grasped at him! The white cat was struck with terror, but there was no time to dodge.

He flung himself forward and rolled, turning into a handsome white-robed divine general.

He reached for his spear, drew it, and thrust at the giant hand flying out of the radiant bridge. The spear quivered and countless spear-tips exploded everywhere!

The next moment, the great spear burst into pieces, and at the same time he was seized by the back of his head. The white-robed god cried out, unable to keep his body from shuddering as he reverted to his true form.

He became a white cat again, gripped by the soft flesh at the back of his head, all four limbs hanging limp and motionless. "Where is the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell? " The owner of the hand seemed to be in an extremely remote place, his voice coming through the Spirit-Energy Transfer Bridge.

Yet in the next instant, the Divine Artifact Heavenly Venerable, far away at the center of the Primordial Realm, suddenly stretched out a hand and pointed from afar. The Spirit-Energy Transfer Bridge exploded with a thunderous roar, and the hand gripping the white cat became unsteady. At that moment, a huge whirlpool spun in the sky above the Primordial Realm, and a towering divine being descended from the heavens.

Before the Divine Artifact Heavenly Venerable could react, he seized the white cat and carried it away. Another whirlpool appeared in the sky, and a second towering divine being slashed at the back of the cat-snatcher's head.

"Return my cat!

" Almost simultaneously, the Divine Artifact Heavenly Venerable reached out and uprooted the Primordial Tree, sweeping it at the two divine beings.

The white cat changed hands several times, his heart full of terror. Now four Heavenly Venerables were fighting over him, and at any moment he might die in that terrifying surge of power!

Inside the Heavenly Dragon Chariot, Yan'er held a bowl to Shen Mu's lips. Shen Mu drank the mung-bean juice, watching the aerial battle, and sighed again and again, feeling rather disheartened.

"Why is the young master frowning so?

" Yan'er asked curiously. Shen Mu took a sip of the mung-bean juice and sighed, "I racked my brains and exhausted every scheme to set the Ten Heavenly Venerables against one another, and still they never came to blows. Little did I expect that in the end, a mere white cat would be what finally stirs up their infighting. "