Chapter 1042 — One Sword Shakes the Eastern Pole
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 5
The Eastern Emperor raised an eyebrow, deeply displeased. Shen Mu's words had struck a nerve, yet they were not wrong: he truly could not fathom Shen Mu's divine arts.
A Passing Guest Among the Purple Blooms.
Beneath a snowy sky, the third-watch moon upon the bough; on which tier of the jade terrace does the man stand?
This was the fifth move of Shen Mu's Dao-entering divine arts, profound in conception. He had created it after gaining the wisdom of the Creator race of the Primal Spirit Realm; it fused his foundations, his vision, and his insights, encompassed a vast wealth of knowledge, and bore his own originality. The Eastern Emperor was an ancient god, bound by his own great Dao. Though he could recognize many of the divine arts and Dao methods contained in that move, to actually learn those methods and comprehend those arts would be immensely difficult.
That ancient gods were bound by their own nature was common knowledge. Apart from the Heavenly Emperor, the vast majority of ancient gods could only walk the great Dao that had given them birth, and could scarcely transcend it. So it was with Heaven Duke, so with Earth Count, and so with the Eastern Emperor, the Azure Dragon.
Though many ancient gods sought a path to break through the shackles of their own great Dao, and many tried again and again through reincarnation, they discovered that there was only one road out: death. Only through death, casting off the original flesh, casting off the original great Dao, could one leap free.
Thus a reincarnated body could not free them from the bonds of their original great Dao.
Such was the case with Earth Count's Achou. "My reincarnated body is still wandering the great thousand worlds beyond, and will not arrive in the Eastern Pole Heaven for several days yet. " The Eastern Emperor chuckled. "Great Master, wait a few days.
I will have someone arrange lodging for you. " Shen Mu said, "I am accustomed to staying at the Jade Pool.
Your Majesty need not trouble yourself; I will stay on Dragon Island in the Jade Pool. " The Eastern Emperor nodded.
The painted barge sailed toward Dragon Island, where his offspring lay upon the ground, still without the strength to move. The Eastern Emperor frowned, summoned many dragon servants, and had them tidy the place, clearing out the largest palace on the island.
Shen Mu took up residence. Seeing the palace's carved beams and painted rafters, adorned with all manner of treasures, he could not help praising it: "Unmatched luxury.
" The Eastern Emperor said, "Great Master, stay a while. When my reincarnated body returns, we will proceed to the second trial.
" Shen Mu smiled. "The longer it is delayed, the more eagerly it is awaited. Your Majesty has already held the first trial; I too am stirred beyond measure at the thought of the second, and I wish your reincarnated body would arrive at once!
I will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty! " "Not disappoint me.
. .
" The Eastern Emperor's heart gave a lurch. He laughed heartily. "Great Master, I am busy with affairs of state, so I will not disturb your rest. " Shen Mu saw him off, saying earnestly, "Your Majesty must surely feel my ardent anticipation.
May your reincarnated body arrive soon.
" The Eastern Emperor departed, returning to Lingxiao Hall in the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace, where he summoned the civil and military officials of the palace. These officials were all his offspring; no outsiders were present.
The dragon sons and grandsons looked up at the Eastern Emperor upon his throne and saw his face dark and joyless, and doubt filled their hearts. The eldest prince cleared his throat and bowed.
"Father God, why is your face clouded with worry?
" The Eastern Emperor heaved a long sigh and recounted the whole affair. "Only now do I realize that I do not understand this Great Master at all. Of his divine arts I know almost nothing, and so I was overconfident.
His arts are wondrous beyond counting.