Chapter 1621 — Cloud and Flame Converge
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
He wished to ask Celestial Venerable Ling, but her earlier rebuffs had left him somewhat short of confidence, and he dared not speak.
After a long while, Celestial Venerable Ling raised her head, smoothed the hair at her temples, and said, "If you truly do not understand, then ask."
Shen Mu's spirits soared, and he hurriedly laid out his difficulties.
Elsewhere, the village chief escorted Celestial Venerable Yun toward the Ancestral Court, arriving first at the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge of Jingping's Lower Capital — a bridge that led to the Ancestral Court.
It was then that Celestial Venerable Yun saw Celestial Venerable Yue standing beside the Transfer Bridge.
Celestial Venerable Yue stood quietly, as though waiting for him.
The village chief spoke no more of Shen Mu's affairs. Celestial Venerable Yun stepped forward and smiled. "Yue, it has been a long time."
Celestial Venerable Yue could not hold back her tears, yet she smiled. "Yes, far too long. To see you again — that is truly good."
Celestial Venerable Yun found himself recalling the towering years of the Longhan era, when the human race was lowly and the mightiest of them were these very Celestial Venerables of humankind.
Yet after Celestial Venerable Yu died, the hope of the human race seemed to be severed at a stroke. Celestial Venerable You went to Youdu, Celestial Venerable Huo threw in with Celestial Venerable Hao, Celestial Venerable Shen and Celestial Venerable Mu vanished without a trace, leaving only the Heavenly Alliance — and the Heavenly Alliance was an empty shell.
In those days, the human race could see no hope at all.
He had wanted to do something, but at that time only Celestial Venerable Yue and Celestial Venerable Ling stood at his side, supporting him and walking on with him — until his downfall.
He had grand ambitions, but their strength was still too slight. Even though he was the first to cultivate the Emperor's Throne, in that age he still could not hold up the toppling heavens, still could not overcome the ancient gods, still could not overcome the demigods.
The Longhan era remained an age of unspeakable oppression and despair, and it was Celestial Venerable Yue and Celestial Venerable Ling who sustained him, who gave him hope and drive.
The village chief waited quietly as they reminisced. After a long while, Celestial Venerable Yue took her leave; the village chief stepped forward and walked with Celestial Venerable Yu into the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge.
When they emerged from the bridge, they had come to the Ancestral Court.
Celestial Venerable Yun clicked his tongue in wonder, his heart brimming with emotion.
Such Transfer Bridges were bridges spanning different worlds, and their speed opened his eyes wide.
Along the way he listened to the village chief recount all manner of Shen Mu's deeds and came to know something of the man, thinking to himself, "Celestial Venerable Mu is a fusion of the nine elders of the Hidden Cripples Village — no wonder his temperament is so flighty, and his ideas so appalling."
Suddenly his pupils constricted and he halted.
The village chief started slightly and looked at him in puzzlement.
"Su Muzhe, you may go back."
Celestial Venerable Yun drew a long breath, gazed ahead, and said in a low voice, "An old acquaintance has sensed that I have descended into the lower world and waits for me on the road ahead. If you come along, you will not be able to save yourself."
The village chief followed his gaze, and his heart went cold, for ahead a sheet of fire rose between the two great mountains of the Ancestral Court.
That was Dao fire.
The firelight lit the two great mountains, and dimly within it a figure could be seen standing!
"Celestial Venerable Huo!"
The village chief's eye twitched, and he whipped out his sword.