Chapter 1443 — The Ethereal Form and the Material Frame

Xu Shenghua thought for a moment and said, "The Mu Heavenly Venerate walks in reverse. He can do what others cannot, think what others cannot. Lan Yutian practices non-action, while he practices non-inaction. He takes the universe within his body as his divine treasury, opens the ancestral court, evolves worlds, transforms mining districts, and cultivates in reverse to attain the Dao. His achievements are no weaker than Lan Yutian's—indeed, thus far, he is far more formidable than Lan Yutian. Compared to the two of them, I am greatly inferior. Each time I face them, I feel as though I am gazing up at a towering mountain."

The two Taiji Ancient Gods were lost in thought.

Xu Shenghua departed, following Xiu Hongsu to find Wei Suifeng. Along the way, he noticed a white cat following him, walking at his feet, bristling with killing intent, lifting its head to say, "Xu Shenghua, stay away from the Empress, or I swear I will never let you off!"

Xu Shenghua bent down. The white cat hesitated—it found him irresistibly approachable—and involuntarily leaped into his arms, crying, "Don't you dare touch my head! I won't fall for your tricks!"

Xu Shenghua stroked its head. The white cat was quite pleased and said, "A little lower with your hand... yes, right there!"

Xu Shenghua said gently, "I have a family and household. There is no conflict between us. I harbor not the slightest improper thought toward the Empress. She and I are Daoist friends who can confide in one another. Little Seven may rest easy. Your loyalty to the Empress, and your love for her, she naturally knows. By sharing her burdens, your position will only remain secure—and rise ever higher."

The white cat said gloomily, "I am merely a consort. I dare not harbor improper thoughts."

"Things depend on human effort, do they not?" Xu Shenghua gazed at it with warm eyes.

The white cat suddenly gave a snort, leaped from his arms, landed on the ground, and with tail held high and proud steps, walked away. Then it suddenly stopped, turned its head, and said, "You are not a bad person—not like that villain Mu Heavenly Venerate... Go back and tell the Mu Heavenly Venerate not to harbor improper thoughts about the Empress!"

Xu Shenghua assented.

Xiu Hongsu watched him. After a moment, she smiled and said, "Young Master Xu, how can there be such a perfect person in this world? Like the void—vast and humble—and like the most perfect of gods, inspiring not the slightest hatred."

Xu Shenghua intoned in a long, drawn-out voice: "The phantom flower of the sun's flame in empty space—how can it escape birth and old age? Better to embrace a hundred confusions than sit in silence and cut off all sorrow. Senior Sister, you envy me—yet I am still envying you."

"'The phantom flower of the sun's flame in empty space—how can it escape birth and old age?' Is this the origin of the name Xu Shenghua?"

Xiu Hongsu savored its meaning. The desire in her eyes faded, leaving only appreciation.

Wei Suifeng, seeing Xu Shenghua safe and sound, could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately took his leave from Xiu Hongsu, and without waiting for Xu Shenghua to take his leave of Yan Tianfei, he promptly pulled him toward the outside, saying in a low voice, "It is good that you are unharmed! This place is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den—the longer you stay, the greater the danger. Let us hurry back to the Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountain!"

Xu Shenghua said in surprise, "What dragon's pool and tiger's den? The scenery here is magnificent and beautiful, as pleasant as any other sacred ground in the world."

Wei Suifeng was stunned, then shook his head.

In the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, Shen Mu gazed into the distance and saw the fourth pillar of light surging into the sky, piercing into the heavens above the Ancestral Court—magnificent beyond compare.

"Once the Heavenly Court completes eleven great spiritual-energy translocation bridges, it will begin migrating the Heavenly Court into the Ancestral Court."

He mused in silence. When the Heavenly Court migrated to the Ancestral Court, the Heavenly River would follow the Heavenly Court and also migrate and change course. At that time, the Heavenly River should pour into the Ancestral Court's Great Marsh, restoring vitality to the marsh.

The Ancestral Court's Great Marsh was the territory of the Hong Heavenly Venerate, reflecting the Xuandu above. The starry sky of Xuandu was mirrored in the Great Marsh, as though another Xuandu were hidden within it.

"After the Heavenly Court migrates, the Heavenly River should return to its original position, reaching straight to the zenith of Xuandu. At that time, it will be the moment for the Heavenly Court to make its move against the Xuandu Heavenly Lord."

He looked up at the sky, gazing far into the distance. The Xuandu beyond the heavens was dim and indistinct.

"Within three years, the Heavenly Court will surely migrate into the Ancestral Court. That is to say, the Heavenly Lord has three years left to live."

Shen Mu withdrew his gaze and saw in the distance the figures of Xu Shenghua and Wei Suifeng. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"I must, within three years, ascend the Jade Pool God-Slaying Platform! Only by undergoing the baptism of the Jade Pool God-Slaying Platform can I advance further!"

In his eyes appeared the territory of Qiang Tianfei, and the power and terror of that Jade Pool God-Slaying Platform made him shiver uncontrollably.

That God-Slaying Platform was also immensely perilous to him—it could cost him his life!

But no matter what, he must go there!

Though the Heavenly Lord often acted on his own initiative, though the Heavenly Lord had never once asked his opinion, though this time it was the Heavenly Lord himself who sought death—he still must do something for the Heavenly Lord!

Even at the risk of his life!

Within these three years, his physical body, primordial spirit, and Dao-heart must become strong enough to step onto the God-Slaying Platform and comprehend all its mysteries!

He must ascend this indestructible, perilous ground, master its principles, and possess the ability to find a sliver of hope for the Heavenly Lord!

Xu Shenghua walked over. Shen Mu smiled and went to meet him. The group talked freely here, discussing the Dao, conversing and laughing, exchanging Dao techniques and divine abilities.

Shen Mu also led the many scholars of Jingping personally to the Dutian Demon King to forge a divine city, and personally went to the fields to reclaim wasteland, channel water, and labor alongside the people.

When the fifth great spiritual-energy translocation bridge of the Heavenly Court was completed, and people gazed up at the resplendent pillar of light in the sky, Shen Mu quietly departed.

He returned to Jingping and went to see Zai Fu.

Zai Fu was enjoying himself with the notable figures of Jingping, riding a painted pleasure boat along the Jinjiang River in Jiangling, beating drums and singing, drinking fine wine, and abandoning all restraint.

On the painted boat there were also women from the pleasure quarters, some heavily made up, some lightly powdered, singing and dancing like orioles, with the music of zithers, pipa, and strings mingling with the sound of the great drum—quite clamorous.

"Grandpa Tu, I wish to face the most ferocious divine blade in the history of the world."

Shen Mu landed on the painted boat and said directly, "Where the world's killing intent converges, at the place in the Ancestral Court where the malevolent energy is thickest, two blades of malevolent energy have condensed into form—they can slay even the mighty of the Emperor Throne."

Zai Fu glanced at him, set down his drumstick, and a woman beside him brought clothing to drape over his shoulders.