Chapter 1118 — Probing the Depths of the Heart of the Dao

The moment Shen Mu spoke those words, a violent tremor shook the depths of the earth. Mother Earth, the Primordial Sovereign, enraged beyond measure at his threat, yet she did not strike at him again. Instead, she fled far away.

Shen Mu heaved a sigh of relief. He opened the third eye at the center of his brow and peered deep into the earth, surveying for a long while. Only after confirming that Mother Earth had truly departed did he speak: "You may speak now."

Dragon Qilin also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Once Mother Earth's soul is reborn, she will certainly seize the Primordial Tree in Jingping's capital—that is, Gongsun Yan's body. Her revival this time has greatly diminished her strength; there is no way she can wrest her original body back from Xiao Tianzun. Since that path holds no hope, she will inevitably move against Gongsun Yan."

Shen Mu nodded and said in a low voice, "I have warned her once. If she seeks her own destruction, then there is nothing I can do."

He gathered up the severed Primordial Tree roots from within the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner. The essence of Mother Earth had already vanished from these roots, yet they were, after all, roots of the Primordial Tree—still incomparably hard!

These roots could only be wounded by divine weapons of the Imperial Throne caliber—absolutely a superb material for forging treasures!

What amazed Shen Mu even more was the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner itself.

He had not channeled much vital essence to activate this treasure's power; relying solely on the Banner's inherent might, he had severed the Primordial Tree roots—like slicing through melons and vegetables, clean and effortless.

One could well imagine: if he could unleash the full power of the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner, how terrifying would this treasure's might be?

"What a treasure..."

Gazing at this exotic treasure, a look of infatuation spread across his face. He hastily shook his head—he had nearly become as obsessed with the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner as Wei Suifeng.

Yet the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner seemed to possess a soul-bewitching power, capable of making all who beheld it involuntarily succumb to fascination.

A thought even surfaced in Shen Mu's mind: he did not want to return this treasure to Prince Youming!

"There is something strange about this treasure!"

Shen Mu grew wary in his heart. The Glazed Azure Heaven Banner was far more than the world's number one supreme treasure. If it were merely a treasure of extraordinary power, it could not have bewitched his heart of the Dao!

"Could it be that Ancient God Egg?"

He looked toward the top of the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner. The Ancient God Egg granted whatever was asked of it—unlike the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor Taichu, and unlike the Egg of Taishi. Most peculiar indeed.

"Then why did the Hierarch still agree to her request, to summon her soul ten days hence?" Dragon Qilin asked, perplexed.

Yet Dragon Qilin's gaze also fell upon the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner. He too had once wielded this exotic treasure, and evidently had been bewitched as well—only not as severely as Wei Suifeng.

Shen Mu caught his gaze and felt a stir in his heart. He put away the Glazed Azure Heaven Banner and said with a smile, "I gave her my word, and I will not go back on it. Besides, the ten-year term has arrived. By reviving Mother Earth, I also demonstrate to the other ancient gods that I am still the Dharma Master of Myriad Tribulations and Immortal Annihilation—and they must still support me!"

Dragon Qilin's eyes cleared, and he said hesitantly, "But what if, after Mother Earth's three souls are reunited, she truly does try to seize Gongsun Yan's body?"

Shen Mu walked forward and said calmly, "Then I will demonstrate to the other ancient gods: do not do evil. I can revive them, and I can destroy them as well!"

He clenched his fist and sneered, "These ancient gods should think carefully and show some respect to their ally!"

The group hurried swiftly toward Jingping's capital. Seven days later, they finally arrived.

Seen from afar, the capital had taken shape in two tiers: the Upper Capital was built upon the canopy of the Primordial Tree, while the Lower Capital was built encircling the Primordial Tree.

When Shen Mu had left last time, he had given Gongsun Yan some Primordial Mists Essence. It must have been that after Gongsun Yan absorbed the Primordial Mists Essence, the Primordial Tree grew wildly beyond containment, and the original Jingping capital could no longer hold it all. Thus Ling Yuqiu had no choice but to lead the ministers in building another capital.

The original capital had also been expanded, capable of housing a far greater population.

As for the area outside the capital, the number of supervisory forges along the Tu River had multiplied. Within those forges, great furnaces blazed day and night, mechanical giants labored without rest, and those with divine abilities and the gods themselves ceaselessly forged all manner of divine weapons and sharp implements.

Shen Mu slowed his pace and toured for a week. He found that the people of Jingping now lived in abundance, their wealth far greater than before. Merchant vessels came and went in enormous numbers, bustling and crowded. The Tu River was packed with merchant ships from the Heavenly Court, from every corner of the Primordial World, and from all the heavens.

The Heavenly Court's merchant ships came to transport divine weapons and the daily-use primordial armaments required by the Heavenly Court's gods. The merchant ships from the various heavens and other nations of the Primordial World typically brought ores and minerals produced in their respective regions.

Jingping used divine weapons and daily-use primordial armaments to trade with the Heavenly Court for Heavenly Court currency. Then, with Heavenly Court currency, they purchased ores, minerals, and other materials from the various heavens and divine kingdoms. In ten years, a considerable industry had taken shape.

And these were but one corner of Jingping.

—In truth, beyond the capital, there were also Jiangling, Bazhou, Yongjiang, and Lanjiang in the south. Their scale of development was no small matter either—in some respects even surpassing the capital.

The capital was responsible for forging divine weapons; Jiangling for inscribing runes; Bazhou for design and the refinement of spiritual pills and medicines; Yongjiang for forging formation diagrams; and Lanjiang for the design and forging of daily-use primordial armaments. Each had its own specialty.

Shen Mu sought out the Silent Craftsman and the Blind Elder, only to find that the Butcher was there as well. Shen Mu's expression shifted slightly. He felt some hesitation in his heart, but the Blind Elder—whose eyesight was exceptionally keen—was the first to notice him. The Silent Craftsman's resonant voice rang out: "Shen'er is here!"

Shen Mu obediently stepped forward. The Butcher drew forth two divine sabers, tossed one over, and said, "Shen'er, go outside and spar a few moves. Let me see whether you have entered the Dao through the saber these days!"

Shen Mu caught the divine saber—nearly a zhang in length. He pressed his index and middle fingers together and lightly stroked the blade, sliding along the thin edge from the hilt to the tip, then laughed heartily: "Grandpa Tu, I have not yet comprehended the Dao of the saber, but I have comprehended something better!"

The Butcher shouldered his great saber and strode outward, his brows arching, and laughed: "Something better? You little bastard—throughout history, those who betray their masters and ancestors all speak with that very tone. Are you planning to take me down?"